ATK Signs Strategic Agreement with Rheinmetall Nitrochemie for Advanced Propellant...

ATK Signs Strategic Agreement with Rheinmetall Nitrochemie for Advanced
Propellant Technologies
ATK is Exclusive North American Provider of Rheinmetall Nitrochemie
Propellants

MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK)
and Rheinmetall Nitrochemie of Germany/Switzerland have signed a new strategic
agreement for the transfer of advanced propellant technologies from
Nitrochemie to ATK. The technology transfer positions ATK as the exclusive
North American provider of Extruded Impregnated (EI), Extruded Composite
Low-sensitivity (ECL), Surface Coated Double Base (SCDB), and R-Type
propellants. The advanced propellants enhance performance over a wide range of
temperatures; provide superior Insensitive Munitions properties that improve
safety and survivability; and extend shelf life and aging stability in all
types of small, medium, and large caliber ammunition.

ATK is the proud operator of the Radford Army Ammunition Plant (RFAAP) in
Radford, Va., where it is the largest developer and producer of advanced
propellants and energetics. This agreement provides an opportunity to enhance
ATK's capabilities at RFAAP by creating a new surface coating and impregnating
capability. A facility designed to manufacture these propellants would be
operated by Rheinmetall Nitrochemie in cooperation with ATK.

The agreement is a follow-on agreement to one signed between ATK and
Rheinmetall Nitrochemie in August 2005. Under the original agreement, ATK has
successfully marketed Rheinmetall Nitrochemie advanced propellants in North
America and has secured several research and development contracts from the
U.S. Department of Defense and other commercial customers.

Rheinmetall Nitrochemie is a recognized leader in developing and producing
high performance gun propellants and combustible cartridge cases with
facilities at Aschau, Germany and Wimmis, Switzerland. By teaming with ATK in
North America, Rheinmetall Nitrochemie is expanding its global presence and
bringing new technologies to world markets.

Rheinmetall Defence Nitrochemie business Division is a leading European
supplier of technology for armed forces in many countries worldwide.
Rheinmetall Defence generates annual sales of euro 1.9 billion with more than
9,000 employees worldwide, having production facilities in Europe, North
America, South Africa and Asia. Find more information under
www.rheinmetall-defence.com.

ATK's portfolio of products includes propellants for tank, artillery, mortar,
medium caliber ammunition, rocket motors, and energetics.

ATK is a premier aerospace and defense company with more than 18,000 employees
in 22 states, Puerto Rico and internationally, and revenues of approximately
$4.8 billion. News and information can be found on the Internet at
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: assumptions related to the North American energetic market;
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.

ATK Media Contact: ATK Investor Contact:

Amanda Covington Jeff Huebschen
Phone: 801-779-4625 Phone: 952-351-2929
E-mail: amanda.covington@atk.com E-mail: jeff.huebschen@atk.com

Rheinmetall Nitrochemie Media Contact:

Oliver Hoffmann
Phone: +49 (0)211-473 47 48
Mobile: +49- (0)163-33 23 660
E-mail: oliver.hoffmann@rheinmetall.com

SOURCE ATK

Media, Amanda Covington, +1-801-779-4625, amanda.covington@atk.com, or
Investors, Jeff Huebschen, +1-952-351-2929, jeff.huebschen@atk.com, both of
ATK; or Media, Oliver Hoffmann of Rheinmetall Nitrochemie, +49 (0)211-473 47
48, Mobile, +49- (0)163-33 23 660, oliver.hoffmann@rheinmetall.com