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ATK Receives Go-ahead for Additional Crew Launch Vehicle Work

Six-month Work Order Valued at $28.6 Million *ATK and NASA Plan to Begin CLV Flight Tests by the End of the Decade

Apr 24, 2006

Minneapolis, April 24, 2006 – Alliant Techsystems (NYSE:ATK) has received a $28.6 million work order from NASA to design and develop the first stage of NASA’s next-generation human launch system, the Crew Launch Vehicle (CLV). The work order authorizes ATK to continue working toward completion of design and certification of a first stage propulsion system through September 2006. The work completed over the next six months will prepare ATK for the first major milestone in the development of the CLV, the September Systems Requirement Review (SRR).

The CLV is an in-line, two-stage rocket configuration derived from existing Space Shuttle solid rocket motor and booster technology. The CLV’s primary mission is to carry astronauts and supplies to the International Space Station as well as delivering astronauts to an earth departure stage for transport to the moon.

"ATK is proud to be a part of NASA’s space vision to develop reliable, proven and affordable access to space," said Ron Dittemore, President, ATK Launch Systems Group. "Our employees are focused on delivering an outstanding CLV design that will meet NASA’s SRR criteria in September. A successful SRR is a key milestone that will enable the NASA-ATK team to move forward on announced plans to begin test flights by the end of the decade."

ATK is a $3.3 billion advanced weapon and space systems company employing approximately 15,000 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: the challenges of developing human launch systems, changes in governmental spending, budgetary policies and product sourcing strategies; the company's competitive environment; the terms and timing of awards and contracts; 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, 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 ATK’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005.