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ATK Receives $8.8 Million Contract to Supply MK44 Automatic Cannons to USAF Special Operations Command

Deployment on the Boeing Company AC-130 Gunship is First for the MK44 on a Fixed-wing Aircraft

Nov 1, 2004

Minneapolis, November 1, 2004 – ATK (NYSE: ATK) has received an $8.8 million contract for Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation (RDT&E) of a modified MK44 30mm Automatic Cannon for use by the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command on its AC-130U gunships. The AC-130U incorporates side-firing cannons to provide surgical firepower or area saturation against hard targets such as armored vehicles.

This is the first time the MK44 will be flown on-board a fixed-wing aircraft. The MK44 is already the weapon system of choice for the U.S. Marine Corps Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle and other armored vehicles.

ATK will develop and incorporate unique gun characteristics required by the Special Operations Command to meet its demanding mission requirements. As a leading provider of chain gun technology, ATK is uniquely qualified to develop and integrate next-generation capabilities that meet the ever-increasing performance requirements of the Special Forces.

The design simplicity of the MK44, its positive round control, ease of maintenance and constant velocity ammunition feed make it the low-risk, proven weapon system the Air Force can rely on for effective fire support. The weapon system fires 30mm rounds and will enhance the aircraft’s ability to destroy enemy armored vehicles by significantly increasing its stand-off distance while providing more firepower on target.

ATK is a $2.4 billion advanced weapon and space systems company employing 13,600 people in 23 states. News and information can be found on the Internet at www.atk.com.

Certain information discussed in this press release constitutes 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: changes in governmental spending and budgetary policies, design specifications tailored to the AC-130U, 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.