Northrop buying Orbital ATK

Defense powerhouse Northrop Grumman said Monday it is acquiring space-focused Orbital ATK for about $7.8 billion, a deal that will give Northrop a major role in space and missiles. Orbital, based in Dulles, Va., makes rocket motors and designs and produces launch vehicles. The deal comes as the Pentagon increasingly looks at space as a battle front. It gives Falls Church, Va.-based Northrop Grumman missile, satellite and rocket capabilities. The Orbital purchase ranks as the largest defense deal since Lockheed Martin bought Sikorsky from United Technologies Corp. Orbital and ATK merged in 2014. (Sources: multiple, including Los Angeles Times, Bloomberg, Washington Post, 09/18/17) Gulf Coast note: Both companies have activities in the Gulf Coast region.