Alliant Techsystems Will Continue to Produce Propellant for Hydra-70 Rocket System
Program is Expected to Generate $400 Million to $450 Million In Sales Through 2006 if Maximum Quantities are Procured
Jul 1, 1999
Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) said it is part of an industry team led by General Dynamics Ordnance Systems that has been awarded a U.S. Army contract to continue production of the HYDRA-70 rocket system. ATK's portion of the firm fixed-price contract is expected to generate sales of $400 million to $450 million through 2006 if the maximum quantities are procured.
Alliant Ammunition and Powder Company will continue to produce the propellant for the rocket system at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant in Radford, Va., a U.S. Army-owned facility operated by ATK. Alliant Kilgore Flares Company in Toone, Tenn. will supply red phosphorus smoke warhead components for the system.
Nick Vlahakis, group vice president, Conventional Munitions, said ATK brings many years of munitions propellant production experience to the HYDRA-70 program.
"The production of propellant for armament systems such as the HYDRA-70 is one of our most important core capabilities," said Vlahakis. "We are proud to be part of the General Dynamics HYDRA-70 team and to be involved in the production of this important weapon system, which is vital to the defense of our nation."
Vlahakis said significant improvements in process control have contributed to lower manufacturing costs and improved reliability of the MK90 propellant grain used in the HYDRA-70 system. ATK has produced the propellant since 1985.
The HYDRA-70 rocket is the most widely used helicopter weapon system in the world today. The rocket system is fired from many different rotary and fixed-wing platforms, including the U.S. Army Apache and U.S. Marine Corps Cobra helicopters, the U.S. Air Force F-16 Falcon fighter, and the combat aircraft of over 15 nations throughout the world. The HYDRA-70 meets a variety of special mission requirements and can defeat a broad range of enemy threats. It is a combat-ready system that has proved itself versatile, effective, and affordable, and has been selected for integration on many new helicopter programs around the world.
ATK's Conventional Munitions operating segment designs and produces ammunition, munitions propellants, tactical missile propulsion systems, warheads, and metal parts, composite structures for aircraft and weapons systems, infrared countermeasure flares, and commercial gunpowder. Operations are conducted by three companies: Alliant Ammunition and Powder Company, Alliant Missile Products Company, and Alliant Kilgore Flares Company.
Conventional Munitions reported fiscal year 1999 sales of $481 million. It employs approximately 2,800 people at facilities in Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Alliant Techsystems is a $1.1 billion aerospace and defense company with approximately 6,000 employees. Headquartered in Hopkins, Minn., the company's operating segments are Conventional Munitions, Aerospace, and Defense Systems. ATK news and information can be found on the Internet at http://www.atk.com/
SOURCE: Alliant Techsystems
Contact: Media, Rod Bitz, 612-931-5413, rod_bitz@atk.com, or Investors,
Richard N. Jowett, 612-931-6080, richard_jowett@atk.com, both of Alliant Techsystems
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