Military

ATK Delivers Third AC-208 'Combat Caravan' Aircraft to Iraqi Air Force

ATK's 'Combat Caravan' Aircraft Provides Cost-Effective Reconnaissance and Ground Attack Capability
ATK'S Special Mission Aircraft Program Provides Operationally Responsive Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Capabilities, Logistics Support and Training

Nov 16, 2009

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK), announced that it delivered a third AC-208B "Combat Caravan" aircraft to the Iraq Training and Advisory Mission in Kirkuk, Iraq. To date, ATK has delivered 11 modified C-208 aircraft in support of U.S. Government contracts for rebuilding the Iraqi Air Force: three reconnaissance aircraft, five trainer aircraft and three AC-208B aircraft.

The Combat Caravan aircraft is a specially modified Cessna Grand Caravan that incorporates an electro-optical targeting system with integrated laser designator, Hellfire laser guided missiles, an air-to-ground and air-to-air data link and aircraft self-protection equipment. ATK's STAR Mission System provides both day and night reconnaissance and fire control capabilities for the mission crew.

"ATK delivers cost-effective, integrated platform solutions, across a variety of mission areas, at a fraction of traditional cost and timelines," said Bill Kasting, Vice President and General Manager of ATK's Integrated Systems Division. "ATK's Combat Caravan builds upon our successful reconnaissance version of the C-208 aircraft, by providing a robust and versatile light-attack capability."

The Combat Caravan program was awarded to ATK in 2008. Within 11 months, ATK completed live fire testing and delivered its first aircraft to Iraq. The aircraft holds both a Military and Civil Certification.

The Combat Caravan is part of ATK's Special Mission Aircraft product portfolio. The Special Mission Aircraft business provides operationally responsive Intelligence, Surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities by outfitting various aircraft -- including Lockheed Martin C-130s, Bombardier Dash-8s, Hawker Beechcraft King Airs, Cessna Caravans and others-- with networked sensors and weapons that offer affordable, flexible and rapid fielding of capability.

ATK is a premier aerospace and defense company with more than 18,000 employees in 22 states, Puerto Rico and internationally, and revenues of approximately $4.8 billion. 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 U.S. and foreign governmental spending; aircraft systems integration and delivery; budgetary policies and product sourcing strategies; the company's competitive environment; the terms and timing of awards and contracts; delivery of aircraft for modification; and economic conditions. ATK undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. For further information on factors that could impact ATK, and statements contained herein, please refer to ATK's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

    Media Contact:                 Investor Contact:
    Rod Gibbons                    Jeff Huebschen
    Phone:  410-864-4932           Phone:  952-351-2929
    E-mail:  rod.gibbons@atk.com   E-mail:  jeff.huebschen@atk.com