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ATK Awarded $5 Million Contract Modification to Develop New Military Lightweight Assault Rifle

Oct 31, 2002

Minneapolis, Oct. 31, 2002 – ATK (Alliant Techsystems, NYSE: ATK) has been awarded a $5 million contract modification from the U.S. Army Armament Research, Development, and Engineering Center (ARDEC), Picatinny, N.J., to develop the new XM8 Lightweight Assault Rifle.

ATK Integrated Defense, Plymouth, Minn., and teammate Heckler and Koch, Oberndorf, Germany, will support the rapid development program, which will investigate the potential of the XM8 as the lightweight assault rifle for the Army’s Objective Force.

The XM8 will be based on the kinetic energy weapon that is part of the XM29 next-generation infantry weapon system (formerly the Objective Individual Combat Weapon) currently under development by ATK Integrated Defense. The kinetic energy weapon, which fires 5.56mm ammunition, will provide maximum commonality in components and logistics with the XM29 system.

The XM8 will provide lethality performance comparable to the currently fielded M4 carbine rifle, while weighing 20 percent less than the M4 because of advanced technologies developed for the XM29 program.

"The XM8 Lightweight Assault Rifle will reduce the 21st century soldier’s load and increase his mobility – two very important aims of the Army’s Objective Force Warrior and Land Warrior initiatives," said Hube Hopkins, president, ATK Integrated Defense. "We are pleased to have received this contract modification to accelerate the development of this weapon system. The recent progress we have made to reduce weight and improve performance on the XM29 program is key to the decision on accelerating the development of the XM8, which is integrated with the Army’s efforts to transform to a more lethal and rapidly deployed fighting force as part of its Objective Force."

ATK Integrated Defense is the system integrator on the XM29 program. Teammates on the program are Heckler and Koch, weapon development; ATK Ammunition Systems, Arden Hills, Minn., ammunition development; Brashear LP, Pittsburgh, Pa., integrated full solution fire control; and Omega, Columbus, Ga., training systems.

ATK Integrated Defense is a leading developer and producer of soldier systems and tactical barrier systems. It is one of five operating units in ATK’s Precision Systems Group.

ATK is a $2.1 billion aerospace and defense company with leading positions in precision capabilities, propulsion, composite structures, and munitions. The company, which is headquartered in Edina, Minn., employs approximately 11,500 people and has three business groups: Precision Systems, Aerospace, and Ammunition. ATK news and information can be found on the Internet at www.atk.com.