Rockwell Receives Air Force Contract Worth $179 Million

Rockwell International Corp.’s space systems division has been awarded a $179-million Air Force contract to design, develop and demonstrate a satellite-based infrared missile tracking system.

A Rockwell spokesman said no new hiring is anticipated under the demonstration contract, but added that the deal could lead to a multibillion-dollar contract for a major missile tracking and interception program that would create hundreds of jobs.

As Rockwell’s partner under the contract, Lockheed Martin Corp. units in Northern California and Colorado will build the satellite and its launch rocket and design the ground control system. Rockwell’s Downey-based space unit will handle engineering and flight experiment operations, and the company’s Autonetics & Missile Systems unit in Anaheim will make the satellite sensors.