Marotta Controls officials say after the first article inspection, the MPACT 6000 was delivered to U.S. defense contractor Boeing Co. for installation on the P-8A Poseidon long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft currently under development.

The MPACT 6000 delivery is part of the MPACT Pure Air Compression Technology systems program designed to develop technology to counter weapons attacks using high-pressure compressed air. Officials say the new MPACT 6000 pneumatic weapon ejection technology is safer and is reusable, improving on the current pyrotechnic systems.

Before delivery, Marotta's MPACT underwent safety of flight testing to evaluate the system's handling of various temperature, vibration and acceleration extremes.

"Over the past six years we have masterminded the technical innovations that have changed our company," Michael Leahan, Marotta vice president, said in a statement.

"This has been a highly anticipated delivery, and we are proud to release the first MPACT to the Boeing Co. Completing this phase moves us one step closer to production."