• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

ATK Awarded $16 Million Contract to Produce Rocket Motors for Sparrow Missile

Dec 11, 2001

ATK (Alliant Techsystems)(NYSE: ATK) has been awarded a $16 million contract from the Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., to exercise an option for the procurement of 968 rocket motors for the Sparrow tactical missile. Of the 968 motors, 266 are for air-to-air missions and 702 are for surface-to-air missions.

Work under the contract will be conducted by ATK Tactical Systems Company, Rocket Center, W. Va.

The Sparrow is a medium-range, radar-guided, aerial-intercept missile with a high-explosive warhead that flies at supersonic speeds. It can attack high-performance aircraft and missiles from any direction.

The new motors are being procured under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program and will satisfy individual country requirements as well as NATO requirements. Countries procuring the Sparrow missile include the U.S. and NATO allies. Production is expected to continue through December 2003.

ATK Tactical Systems Company began production of the dual-thrust solid-propulsion rocket motor for the Sparrow missile in 1969 at its manufacturing facility located at the Allegany Ballistic Laboratory in Rocket Center. The motors contain separate boost and sustain propellants in a side-by-side configuration to propel the missile to its target. The company has produced and delivered over 33,000 motors in a number of configurations to meet the increased capabilities of the Sparrow over the years.

ATK is a $1.7 billion aerospace and defense company with leading positions in propulsion, composite structures, munitions, and precision capabilities. The company, which is headquartered in Edina, Minn., employs approximately 11,400 people and has two business groups: Aerospace and Defense. ATK news and information can be found on the Internet at http://www.atk.com/

SOURCE: Alliant Techsystems

Contact: Media, Rod Bitz, +1-952-351-3063, rod_bitz@atk.com, or
Investors, Steve Wold, +1-952-351-3056, steve_wold@atk.com