Space

ATK Propulsion Technologies Help Launch Boeing's Delta IV Heavy Rocket

ATK Supplied Twenty Key Composite Structure for Launch Vehicle

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) supported the successful launch of a Boeing Delta IV heavy rocket carrying the 23rd and final Department of Defense (DoD) Defense Support Program missile-warning satellite (DSP-23).

ATK designed and produced the nozzle for the Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne-built RS-68 engine as well as the nozzle's thermal protection material, which is capable of shielding it from the extreme heat of launch when external temperatures can exceed 4,000 degrees F. The Delta IV's RS-68 is the largest hydrogen-fueled engine in the world. The engine, equipped with ATK's nozzle, is the first of its kind in a liquid booster engine.

ATK also supplied twenty key composite structures for the launch vehicle including the thermal shield that houses the RS-68 main engine, the center body structure that connects the liquid oxygen (LOX) and hydrogen tanks and the LOX forward skirt on all three of the Common Booster Cores (CBC) as well as the composite interstage on the center CBC, the nose cones on the two strap-on CBC's, and the eight "X-Panel" truss structures that connect the upper stage LOX tank with the upper stage hydrogen tank.

The composite structures, which range from 4 to 5 meters (13.1 to 16.6 feet) in diameter and up to 8 meters (26 feet) in length, were produced using advanced hand lay-up manufacturing techniques at ATK's production facilities in Iuka, MS and Clearfield, UT.

ATK is a $4.1 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/.

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 associated with developing advanced rocket motors, 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:                              Investor Contact:
  Bryce Hallowell                             Steve Wold
  Phone:  952-351-3087                        Phone:  952-351-3056
  E-mail: bryce.hallowell@atk.com             E-mail: steve.wold@atk.com