Officials say with the award, Orbital will become the prime contractor for research and development programs for the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force as part of the TSER program managed at the New Mexico-based White Sands Missile Range.

Under the $100 million 10-year deal, Orbital, a developer of short-, medium- and long-range suborbital boosters for rockets among other technologies for the military market, will support research and target rocket programs under the TSER program for the Department of Defense.

"Orbital is very excited to be supporting the White Sands Missile Range as a new customer," Ron Wiley, Orbital suborbital launch vehicle programs senior vice president, said in a statement.

"The TSER contract award is another example of Orbital's leadership position in the design, development and operation of suborbital rockets used to support Department of Defense research and target rocket programs."