ATK Awarded Rocket Motor Technologies Development Contract for Next Generation Air-to-Air Missiles

ATK Awarded Rocket Motor Technologies Development Contract for Next Generation
Air-to-Air Missiles
ATK Currently Supplies Propulsion Systems for All U.S. Fielded Air-to-Air
Missiles

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK)
has been awarded a research and development contract for the Counter Air /
Future Naval Capabilities (CA/FNC) program to develop technologies that can be
incorporated into next generation air-to-air missile systems. The nearly
$10-million contract was issued by the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons
Division, China Lake, California. ATK will work in concert with NAWCWD to
identify specific propulsion technologies to develop for integration into
future missile systems. The work is expected to be completed by June 2013.

The scope of the CA/FNC program is to develop technologies that will extend
missile range, decrease time-to-target, improve end-game maneuverability, and
improve the rocket motor's response to insensitive munitions (IM) stimuli.
These improvements are oriented towards the 7-inch diameter Advanced Medium
Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) that is currently in use by the U.S. Navy,
U.S. Air Force, and many allied nations, but will be applicable to other
air-to-air missile systems.

There are four main areas that ATK will be concentrating their development
efforts on which include: high burn rate propellants for improved kinematics;
improving case stiffness for reduced weight and agility; low erosion nozzles
for improved performance; and multi-pulse propulsion for end-game
maneuverability. Additionally, ATK will address the IM requirement by
incorporating affordable solutions including an advanced propellant
formulation, a low cost composite case, and mitigation safety devices proven
on other tactical rocket motor programs.

"By drawing on our heritage rocket motor experience, proven service life of
fielded propulsion systems, and incorporating unique technologies, ATK will
develop a robust, affordable propulsion system to meet current and future
counter air targets with the potential to influence all future air-launched
missiles. ATK's proven leadership in the development of advanced propellants,
IM solutions, and pulse motors will pay benefits in developing this improved
propulsion system for the U.S. Navy," said Bart Olson, Vice President and
General Manager of ATK's Tactical Propulsion and Controls Division.

ATK is the sole source rocket motor supplier for all currently fielded U.S.
air-to-air missile systems that include the AMRAAM and AIM-9X. The
technologies developed under this contract will ensure ATK maintains its
leadership role in providing rocket motors for next generation air-to-air
missiles.

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: 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:

Rod Gibbons Jeff Huebschen
Phone: 410-864-4932 Phone: 952-351-2929
E-mail: rod.gibbons@atk.com E-mail: jeff.huebschen@atk.com

SOURCE ATK

Media, Rod Gibbons, +1-410-864-4932, rod.gibbons@atk.com, or Investors, Jeff
Huebschen, +1-952-351-2929, jeff.huebschen@atk.com, both of ATK