ATK Successfully Completes Static Test Firing of Solid Propulsion Rocket Motor For National Missile Defense Program
Jan 26, 2001
ATK (Alliant Techsystems, NYSE: ATK) said ATK Aerospace Propulsion Company, Magna, Utah, successfully completed a static test firing of a solid propulsion rocket motor for the ground-based interceptor missile element of the National Missile Defense (NMD) program on Jan. 25. The company is developing the motor for Boeing, the prime contractor for the NMD program.
The successful test firing completes the development and qualification phase for the motor and nozzle, leaving only the final testing of the thrust vector control system remaining before the entire motor is qualified for flight. The testing is expected to be completed shortly.
The solid propulsion motor, a vectorable version of ATK's proven Graphite Epoxy Motor (GEM) 40 used on Boeing Delta II launch vehicles, provides the first-stage boost assist for the three-stage NMD ground-based interceptor missile.
"The NMD program is an important first step in providing our country with an effective and cost-efficient defense against missile threats," said Jeff Foote, president, ATK Aerospace Propulsion Company. "Our solid propulsion team is tremendously proud to be part of this effort."
"The accomplishments of our NMD team members continue proving the technology is available to protect our country from ballistic missiles. We are focusing now on engineering integration efforts to ensure the success of the NMD program," according to James W. Evatt, Boeing executive vice president and NMD program director.
The NMD program involves the development and testing of a potential system to detect, track, and destroy incoming intercontinental ballistic missiles before they reach the U.S.
Speaking earlier this month at his Senate confirmation hearing, Defense Secretary-nominee Donald Rumsfeld reiterated the Bush administration's promise to develop an NMD system as soon as possible as protection against the rapid proliferation of intercontinental ballistic missiles.
"Effective missile defense -- not only homeland defense but also the ability to defend U.S. allies abroad and our friends -- must be achieved in the most cost-efficient manner that modern technology offers," Rumsfeld testified.
ATK estimates that solid propulsion sales resulting from the NMD program could total over $200 million over the next eight years.
ATK Aerospace Propulsion Company is part of ATK's Aerospace segment, which comprises the corporation's propulsion and composite structures operations. The Aerospace segment employs approximately 2,300 people in California, Colorado, Florida, Mississippi, New York, Utah and West Virginia. Sales in fiscal year 2000 were $530 million.
ATK is a $1.1 billion aerospace and defense company with leading market positions in munitions, smart weapons/precision capabilities, propulsion and composite structures. The company, which is headquartered in Hopkins, Minn., employs approximately 6,400 people and has three business segments: Conventional Munitions, Aerospace, and Defense Systems. ATK news and information can be found on the Internet at http://www.atk.com/
The forecast for anticipated sales included in this news release is a "forward-looking statement" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results, including changes in governmental spending and budgetary policies, economic conditions, 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, in addition to other factors identified in ATK's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE: Alliant Techsystems
Contact: Media, Rod Bitz, 952-931-5413, rod_bitz@atk.com, or Investors,
Steve Wold, 952-931-6747, steve_wold@atk.com, both for Alliant Techsystems
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