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ATK Flies Navy Gun-Launched Projectile to World Record 62 Miles; ATK Distance Record Meets Military Requirements for Stand-Off Fire Support

Jun 20, 2002

An industry team led by ATK (NYSE: ATK)(Alliant Techsystems) achieved a planned, significant milestone in the development of a transformational stand-off combat capability -- long- range precision-guided projectiles in support of ground maneuver warfare.

During a test conducted yesterday, an Autonomous Naval Support Round (ANSR) was fired over the Atlantic Ocean from the Wallops Island flight facility in southeastern Virginia. The round, fired from a 5"/62-caliber gun with high-performance EX-99 propellant, flew 62 miles (54 nautical miles). The ATK funded test was part of an ongoing ATK program to develop a ballistic trajectory, GPS-guided solution to U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Army requirements for affordable, long-range, precise artillery.

ANSR differs from other approaches in its simplicity and relatively low cost, as well as its application to various gun types and calibers. Unit cost in full-rate production is estimated to be less than $20,000. ANSR's application to the existing Navy inventory of 5"/54-caliber guns enables rapid introduction throughout the fleet, providing the Navy a break-through improvement in fire support capability.

"We are very pleased with the results of this test," said John Shroyer, president, ATK Tactical Systems. "We achieved a 30-percent performance improvement over our January record-setting test. We are meeting an immediate, specific need while developing technology applicable to other precision projectile systems such as the U.S. Navy's 155 Advanced Gun System (AGS) and the U.S. Army's Excalibur and Multi-Role Armament and Ammunition Systems (MRAAS) programs."

Shroyer said the ANSR development program is on track to achieve a maximum-range guided flight by the end of this year.

ATK Tactical Systems, headquartered at the Allegany Ballistics Laboratory (ABL) in Rocket Center, W. Va., is the lead contractor on the ANSR program, and is responsible for system integration and the projectile's solid propellant rocket motor. Other members of the ANSR team are Custom Analytical Engineering Systems (CAES), Cumberland, Maryland (airframe, warhead, and control actuation) and Draper Laboratory, Cambridge, Massachusetts (guidance electronics and navigation).

The ANSR demonstration program has benefited from the U.S. Navy's extensive facility restoration program at ABL, which has been strongly supported by Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-W. Va.). Senator Byrd supported a funding increase for the ANSR program in the FY02 defense budget. These funds are assisting greatly in achieving demonstrated ANSR capability and potential early fleet introduction.

ATK Tactical Systems is a leading supplier of gun-launched precision munitions, missile defense systems, propulsion and warheads for tactical missiles, upper stages for spacecraft and launch vehicles, defense electronics systems, and composite structures for military aircraft and weapons systems.

ATK is a $2 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 11,300 people and has three business groups: Aerospace, Precision Systems, and Ammunition. 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, or rod_bitz@atk.com, or
Investors, Steve Wold, +1-952-351-3056, or steve_wold@atk.com, both of
Alliant Techsystems