NOC Northrop Grumman Corp Holding Co

ATK to Build Canister Gas Generators for the Kinetic Energy Interceptor ATK's Generators Ensure Rapid Response to Threats MINNEAPOLIS and ROCKET CENTER, W.Va., May 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE:ATK) has received a developmental contract for the Canister Gas Generators of the Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI). Terms of the contract were not disclosed. Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) is the prime contractor on KEI for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). Work on the contract will be performed at the company's Allegany Ballistics Laboratory in Rocket Center, W.Va. ATK is an industry leader in the design, development and production of gas generators for missile systems. The company has previously provided similar systems for the U.S. Navy's Trident, Poseidon, Polaris, Sprint and currently Tomahawk missile systems. KEI is a next-generation missile assigned the task of boost/ascent phase intercepts as part of MDA's global layered defense strategy. As an integral part of boost phase defense, it is critical that the KEI launch rapidly out of its canister. The ATK-developed gas generators will nearly instantaneously create the proper pressure inside the canister to eject the missile, at which point the first stage rocket motor, also built by ATK, will ignite. ATK will supply 29 gas generators for KEI development and test programs. The first static firing for the Stage 1 Rocket Motor is scheduled for FY06 while the gas generator eject test is scheduled for FY07. During the eject test, the generators will propel an inert "slug" out of the canister that is matched in weight and center of gravity to the actual interceptor. Additional generators will be used in full-rate production. ATK is an advanced weapon and space systems company with expected FY06 revenue of $3.0 billion. The company employs approximately 14,000 people in 23 states. News and information can be found on the Internet at http://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: the challenges of developing next-generation missile defense systems, changes in governmental spending and budgetary policies, economic conditions, the company's competitive environment, the timing of awards and contracts, and program performance. ATK undertakes no obligation to update any forward- looking statements. For further information on factors that could impact ATK, and the statements contained herein, reference should be made to ATK's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and annual reports on Form 10-K. Media Contact: Investor Contact: Bryce Hallowell Steve Wold Phone: 952-351-3087 Phone: 952-351-3056 E-mail: E-mail: DATASOURCE: ATK CONTACT: Media, Bryce Hallowell, +1-952-351-3087, , or Investor, Steve Wold, +1-952-351-3056, , both of ATK Web site: http://www.atk.com/

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