ROCKET CENTER — Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) was honored by TIME Magazine not just once, but twice in their “Best Inventions of 2009” special edition.
NASA’s Ares I rocket received top billing by TIME, which noted that it was the “best and coolest and smartest thing built in 2009.”
ATK is the prime contractor for the solid rocket motor first stage of the Ares I.
As TIME Magazine’s Paul Kluger put it, “In 2004, ... the U.S. committed itself to sending astronauts back to the moon and later to Mars,
and for that, you need something new and nifty for them to fly. The answer is the Ares I, which had its first unmanned flight on Oct. 28 and dazzled even the skeptics.”
In addition to the first stage, ATK is a major provider of solid rocket motor propulsion for the Ares I Launch Abort System.
ATK also received plaudits for the development of the XM25 air-bursting munitions system, which placed No. 46 on the list. The XM25 features a unique turn-count fuze, coupled with a laser range finder to detonate without impact at a pre-determined range. The XM25 is ideal for defeating an enemy who may be hiding in bunkers, behind buildings or other barriers that prevent direct line-of-sight contact.
As Time put it, “You fire a bullet, and it explodes where you tell it to.”
“Innovation is at the core of everything we do at ATK,” said John Shroyer, ATK CFO and interim CEO.
“To be honored not just once, but two times for products in different segments of our business speaks not only to ATK's culture of innovation but also our ability to deliver that creative solution in support of our expanding customer base.”
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.