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ATK, Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Present Proposal for Ares I Upper Stage

Focused on Seamless Integration and Reduced Risk

HUNTSVILLE, Ala., April 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK), Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne (NYSE: UTX) today presented to NASA an oral summary of their proposal for the Ares I Upper Stage. The proposal has been delivered in stages over the last month and culminated with the submittal of the cost volume last week.

The three companies have developed a complementary relationship, leveraging their strong experience and capabilities on NASA Human Space Flight programs to provide the Ares I project a springboard to minimize program costs, maintain aggressive development and test schedules, and reduce the technical risk going forward.

"We have been preparing for this procurement for nearly a year and announced our core team back in September 2006," said Ron Dittemore, President of ATK Launch Systems Group. "We have also built a strong team of subcontractors that have been hand-selected to round out our team. Together, we have developed a proposal that presents a seamless effort, and we are ready to perform on this crucial contract for NASA and our Nation."

Known as "Team Ares," the core companies are natural partners to support NASA on this upper stage effort, demonstrating unparalleled experience in system and subsystem design, development, manufacturing, integration, test, and risk management for human-rated hardware. The team members have participated in every U.S. human space flight program throughout NASA's history.

"By combining our core competencies and working together in a seamless manner, we can significantly reduce integration issues and system complexity -- and help NASA achieve the vision for Space Exploration at this critical point in the program," added Dittemore.

About the companies

ATK's Launch Systems Group provides innovative and cost-effective launch systems solutions to a broad range of customers. The Group is the world's leading manufacturer of rocket motor systems for human-rated and unmanned space launch vehicles, strategic missiles, and missile defense interceptors. It serves both commercial and government customers, including prime contractors, NASA, the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U. S. Army and U.S. Missile Defense Agency.

ATK is a $3.5 billion advanced weapon and space systems company employing approximately 15,500 people in 21 states. News and information can be found on the Internet at http://www.atk.com/ .

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company is one of the major operating units of Lockheed Martin Corporation. Space Systems designs, develops, tests, manufactures and operates a variety of advanced technology systems for military, civil and commercial customers. Chief products include a full range of space launch systems, including heavy-lift capability, ground systems, remote sensing and communications satellites for commercial and government customers, advanced space observatories and interplanetary spacecraft, fleet ballistic missiles and missile defense systems.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2006 sales of $39.6 billion.

Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc., a part of Pratt & Whitney, offers a complete line of propulsion products for launch vehicles to missile defense to advanced hypersonic propulsion. These have been used in a wide variety of government and commercial applications, including the main engines for the space shuttle, Atlas and Delta launch vehicles, and high altitude defense systems.

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies provides high-technology products and services to the aerospace and building industries.

Media Contacts

ATK - George Torres, 801-251-2819 office, 801-699-2637 cell, george.torres@atk.com

Lockheed Martin - Joan Underwood, Office 303-971-7398, Mobile 303-594-7073, joan.b.underwood@lmco.com

Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne - Bryan Kidder, 818-586-2213 office, 818 307-3830 cell, bryan.kidder@pwr.utc.com