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ATK Awarded $3.3 Million Multi-Mode Spacecraft Propulsion System Development Contract with Air Force Research Lab

ATK-DEVELOPED SYSTEM WILL PROVIDE NEW CAPABILITY FOR OPERATIONALLY RESPONSIVE MISSIONS
ATK-LED INDUSTRY TEAM TO PROVIDE HYBRID CHEMICAL AND ELECTRIC PROPULSION SYSTEM

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) announced today that the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, Edwards Air Force Base, CA has awarded the company a $3.3 million contract, with options worth an additional $4.7 million, to develop a multi-mode propulsion system for small spacecraft. The multi-mode system incorporates chemical and electric propulsion to provide unique on-orbit maneuvering flexibility.

ATK will lead an industry team that includes Busek and American Pacific to perform the work. Phase I, completed in 2006, involved six competitors working to develop concepts that demonstrated an ability to meet the Air Force mission set. ATK's concept was the only design selected for the Phase II award. The matured concept would be integrated into a prototype flight-like system in an optional follow on phase, should the Air Force decide to move forward with Phase III. ATK's Space Division, which includes the recently acquired Swales Aerospace operations, will provide added assurance that the prototype system has direct application to ongoing tactical satellite development efforts.

"ATK is pleased to lead this cutting-edge operationally responsive technology development effort," said Bart Olson, vice president and general manager of ATK's Tactical Propulsion and Controls division headquartered in Baltimore, Md. "Our war fighters will greatly benefit from the added space asset flexibility offered by ATK's multi-mode propulsion system."

ATK is a $4.0 billion advanced weapon and space systems company employing approximately 16,500 people in 21 states. News and information can be found on the Internet at http://www.atk.com/.

Busek specializes in electric space propulsion and materials processing. Busek provides analytical, computational, experimental and product services to government and industry. Additional information can be found at http://www.busek.com/.

American Pacific is a leading manufacturer of specialty and fine chemicals within its focused markets, as well as propulsion products sold to defense, aerospace and pharmaceutical end markets. Its products provide access to, and movement in, space via solid fuel propulsion thrusters and represent key active ingredients in drug applications such as HIV, epilepsy and cancer. It also produces specialty chemicals utilized in various applications such as fire extinguishing systems, as well as manufacture water treatment equipment. Its products are designed to meet customer specifications and often must meet certain governmental and regulatory approvals. Additional information about American Pacific can be obtained by visiting the company's web site at http://www.apfc.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 advanced spacecraft propulsion 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, please refer to ATK's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Media Contact:

Tracy Imm
Phone: 410-864-4824
E-mail: tracy.imm@atk.com

Investor Contact:
Steve Wold
Phone: 952-351-3056
E-mail: steve.wold@atk.com