ATK Technology Helps STANDARD Missile-3 Score Direct Hit in Ballistic Missile Intercept Test

Third Stage Propulsion and SDACS Perform Critical Late-Term Maneuvers to Put Missile on Target

Dec 11, 2003

MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ATK (Alliant Techsystems) (NYSE:ATK) said that its Mk 136 Third-Stage Rocket Motor (TSRM) and Solid Divert and Attitude Control System (SDACS) for the Mk 142 Kinetic Warhead (KW) guided a Raytheon STANDARD Missile-3 (SM-3) to a successful space-intercept of an inbound ballistic missile target. The intercept occurred during a Missile Defense Agency and U.S. Navy Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system flight test off the Hawaii coast.

The test, designated Flight Mission-6 (FM-6), was the fourth successful SM-3 target intercept. The test used the new monolithic SDACS design in its "sustain mode," the baseline configuration for the initial deployment of SM-3 missiles. The missiles will be delivered in support of President Bush's directive to deploy an initial missile defense capability in 2004-2005.

The ATK TSRM and SDACS propulsion systems -- both key elements of the SM-3 missile system -- performed as expected during the flight test. ATK Elkton, Elkton, Md., is developing both systems under a subcontract to Raytheon.

Donald E. Shaffer, president, ATK Elkton, said the SM-3 deployment is a critical step for the nation to build and maintain a robust ballistic missile defensive shield capable of defeating rogue missile attacks and deterring other hostile action.

"This flight test further demonstrates the system's readiness for deployment against short- and medium-range ballistic missiles," said Shaffer.

As in the previous tests, the SM-3 was launched from the Aegis BMD cruiser USS LAKE ERIE (CG-70) and shortly thereafter hit the target, which had been launched from the Navy's Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai.

The launch was part of an ongoing planned series of flight tests for the Aegis BMD program. SM-3 is designed to intercept an incoming ballistic missile outside the earth's atmosphere. The KW is based on technology developed during BMDO's Lightweight Exo-Atmospheric Projectile (LEAP) program. SM-3 and the KW are under development by Raytheon Company at its Missile Systems business in Tucson, Ariz.

ATK Elkton is a leading supplier of solid propellant propulsion systems and ordnance devices for missile defense, space, strategic, and tactical applications.

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 12,500 people and has three business groups: Precision Systems, Aerospace, 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 related to deployment schedules of the SM-3 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, 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