ATK (ATK), the nation’s leading solid rocket motor producer, provided critical components for the recent successful Flight Test Mission-19 (FTM-19) missile defense test involving a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IB guided missile. The SM-3 was launched from a U.S. Navy Aegis Cruiser off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii.

ATK supplies the Third Stage Rocket Motor (TSRM) to Raytheon Company, the prime contractor for the SM-3. Production of the TSRM occurs at ATK Defense Group’s location in Elkton, Md. The TSRM has a unique combination of capabilities that permits the SM-3 guided missile to address a broad range of threats as it intercepts and destroys the in-bound threat.

“The Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System continues to demonstrate its effectiveness against threat-representative targets,” said Cary Ralston, vice president and general manager of ATK’s Missile Products division. “ATK is a proud member of the SM-3 guided missile team, and this test provides additional validation of the Block IB missile’s production readiness.”

ATK Defense Group is an industry leader in providing innovative and affordable products across ammunition, precision and strike weapons, electronic warfare systems, and missile components across air, sea, and land-based systems. ATK is an aerospace, defense, and commercial products company with operations in 21 states, Puerto Rico, and internationally. News and information can be found on the Internet at www.atk.com.