Will Establish Joint Program Office in Huntsville, Alabama
Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK), Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), and Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, a business unit of United Technologies (NYSE: UTX), announced today that they have teamed together in preparation for NASA’s Ares I Upper Stage procurement, planned for early 2007.
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.
As a team, the three companies are natural partners for this upper stage effort because of the Ares I work already under way — and the interrelationships between those efforts. ATK is responsible for the Ares I first stage hardware, which includes the interface and separation with the upper stage. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is responsible for the liquid-fuel J-2x engine and related interfaces with the main propulsion system of the Ares I upper stage. And Lockheed Martin is providing the avionics for the early Ares I -1 test flight — and is a recognized industry expert on large cryogenic tanks that are essential to Ares I success.
Additionally, the team possesses 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 in some capacity throughout NASA’s history. That experience, coupled with new state-of-the-art processes and technologies, will provide the necessary elements to meet the challenges that lie ahead.
“By combining our core competencies and working together in a seamless manner, along with our current roles on the Ares I program, 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,” said Ron Dittemore, President of ATK Launch Systems Group.
“Each team member brings unique and complementary strengths and capabilities in the areas needed to ensure the success of NASA’s vision of returning humans to the moon and going on to Mars,” said John Karas, Vice President of Human Space Flight for Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. “We have an excellent track record of working together as a team on such successful programs as the Space Shuttle, Titan IV and Atlas launch vehicles, as well as numerous defense programs.”
“This team has a long and very successful history of working together in various forms throughout the history of the U. S. space program,” said Byron Wood, President of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne. “The team members have had a presence in Huntsville and an active working relationship with the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center since its inception in 1960.”
An office will be established in Huntsville, Alabama for pre-proposal support, transitioning to proposal preparation and will later function as a Joint Program Office after contract award. All three companies will provide personnel for on-site support at the Marshal Space Flight Center.
About the companies
ATK 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 $3.4 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 .
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 135,000 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 2005 sales of $37.2 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.
Some of the statements contained in this press release may be considered “forward-looking statements” under the federal securities laws. Forward- looking statements include, but are not limited to statements regarding the timing and likelihood of closing. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward- looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, our ability to complete regulatory review, achieve contemplated financial outcomes, and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the team member’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information in this release is as of September 13, 2006. The team members disclaims any duty to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events, actual results or changes in expectations.
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
