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ATK and KEI Missile Defense Team Successfully Test Fire First-Stage Rocket Motor

Test Is a Critical Risk Reduction Milestone in KEI Development

Sep 14, 2006

PROMONTORY, Utah, Sept. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) completed a successful test firing earlier today of a first-stage rocket motor for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency's (MDA) Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI). This is the second in a series of static motor firings leading up to the program's first booster flight in 2008. Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) is leading the industry team charged with developing and testing a KEI capability under contract to MDA. Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) is responsible for developing and integrating the KEI system's interceptor.

"The rocket motor burned successfully to completion, demonstrating proof- of-concept of the motor assembly and its thrust vector control nozzle for this high-acceleration, high-velocity, and highly maneuverable missile," said Bill Condas, Vice President, Strategic & Commercial Systems, ATK Launch Systems Group. "Initial test results matched expectations for rocket motor performance and integrity."

"This test, following on the heels of our second-stage test in January, is another key step in the development of this next-generation, multi-use booster," added Condas.

ATK is the largest propulsion subcontractor on the KEI program. As a member of the Raytheon interceptor team, ATK will produce first-stage rocket motors at facilities in Utah and will produce second-stage and third-stage rocket motors in Elkton, Md. The KEI canister launch eject gas generators will be produced by ATK in Rocket Center, W.Va.

ATK is a $3.4 billion advanced weapon and space systems company employing approximately 15,000 people in 22 states. News and information can be found on the Internet at http://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, 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.

  Media Contact:                   Investor Contact:

  George Torres                    Steve Wold
  Phone:  801-699-2637             Phone:  952-351-3056
  E-mail:  george.torres@atk.com   E-mail:  steve.wold@atk.com