ATK'S Quick Bolt Strikes Again

ATK Development Missile Successfully Tests Off-Board Targeting in Complex Radar Shutdown Scenario

Jul 16, 2003

MINNEAPOLIS, July 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Yesterday, ATK (Alliant Techsystems) (NYSE:ATK) successfully tested a "Quick Bolt" version of the Navy Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM). The Quick Bolt capability brings joint force and air component commanders one step closer to gaining a revolutionary precision strike capability. This enhanced missile can destroy enemy air defense systems, minimize friendly fire, greatly limit the possibility of collateral damage, and provide near real-time Weapon Impact Assessments (WIA).

"The Quick Bolt program addresses the lightening fast pace and complex threat/targeting environment of the current and future battlefield," said Tom Wilson, president, ATK Missile Systems Company. "With Quick Bolt's advanced capability, joint force commanders will have the confidence that aircrews can launch this missile knowing that its seeker and guidance systems can distinguish between intended and unintended targets. During flight and up to the moment of impact, commanders will obtain nearly instantaneous indication of the missile's location and performance via Quick Bolt's sophisticated WIA."

The test firing was conducted as part of ATK Missile Systems Company's Quick Bolt program, a Department of Defense Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) initiative that adds a transmitter for WIA to AARGM, also under development by ATK Missile Systems Company. AARGM -- the successor to the AGM-88 High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) -- employs a multi-sensor guidance system capable of selectively engaging enemy air defenses even after radar emissions are shut down.

During the Quick Bolt demonstration test, which took place at the Naval Air Systems Command, western test range in southern California, the missile was fired from a U.S. Navy F/A-18 aircraft and acquired data from off-board sensors. After launch the missile successfully identified, tracked, and guided to a simulated enemy air defense target. The target employed radar shutdown tactics while a "proscribed" air defense target continued to emit. The Quick Bolt system used Impact Avoidance Zone (IAZ) logic to distinguish between the proscribed and original target, demonstrating the ability to greatly reduce friendly fire incidents and collateral damage. Right up to impact, the WIA transmitter system provided tracking and target data via national assets to program assessment personnel.

The Quick Bolt program is sponsored by the United States European Command and is jointly developed by the U.S. Navy and the National Reconnaissance Office. The Program Executive Office for Strike Weapons and Unmanned Aviation, Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is responsible for management of the program.

ATK is a $2.2 billion aerospace and defense company with strong positions in propulsion, composite structures, munitions, precision capabilities, and civil and sporting ammunition. The company, which is headquartered in Edina, Minn., employs approximately 12,000 people and has three business groups: Aerospace, Precision Systems, and Ammunition and Related Products. ATK news and information can be found on the Internet at http://www.atk.com/
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Certain information discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Although ATK believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be achieved. Forward-looking information is subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Among those factors are: unforeseen delays in NASA's Space Shuttle program, changes in governmental spending and budgetary policies, economic conditions, equity market returns, the company's competitive environment, the timing of awards and contracts, the outcome of contingencies, including litigation and environmental remediation, program performance, and sales projections. ATK undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. For further information on factors that could impact ATK, and statements contained herein, reference should be made to ATK's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and annual reports on Form 10-K.

Source: Alliant Techsystems

CONTACT: Media, Bryce Hallowell, +1-952-351-3087,
bryce.hallowell@atk.com, or Investors, Steve Wold, +1-952-351-3056,
steve_wold@atk.com, both of Alliant Techsystems