ATK Played Pivotal Role in the U.S. Navy’s Successful Shoot Down of a Disabled Satellite

ATK Developed the Technology Which Allowed the Kinetic Warhead to Maneuver for a Precision Strike

Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) provided the Third Stage Rocket Motor (TSRM) and the Solid Divert and Attitude Control System (SDACS) for a modified U.S. Navy Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) which successfully shot down a disabled U.S. government satellite on February 20. Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN – News) is the prime contractor.

The modified SM-3 was launched by the USS Lake Erie, positioned northwest of Hawaii. During the flight, ATK’s SDACS provided the maneuvering capability to allow the Kinetic Warhead (KW) to precisely intercept the satellite approximately 153 miles above the Earth. The resulting impact destroyed a tank full of toxic hydrazine rocket fuel carried aboard the 5,000-pound satellite

“This was the most challenging mission in the long and successful history of the SM-3 program and we are extremely proud of ATK’s performance,” said Bart Olson, Vice President and General Manager, ATK Tactical Propulsion and Controls. “The maneuvering capability provided by ATK’s SDACS positioned the kill vehicle for a direct hit and we could not be more pleased with the outcome.”

ATK is an advanced weapon and space systems company with annual revenues in excess of $4.1 billion that employs approximately 17,000 people in 21 states. News and information can be found on the Internet at http://www.atk.com.