Alliant Techsystems Inc.

Missile Products division in Elkton, Maryland and the Delaware section of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) hosted an event for local school children in support of National Engineers Week (EWeek).  The purpose of EWeek is to celebrate the accomplishments of all engineers and to recognize the importance of the ongoing development of the next generation of engineers in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

The theme for EWeek this year was “Celebrating Awesome.”  Throughout the week, competitions were geared to challenge the participant’s creative design skills and even included a Star Wars themed target competition.  As part of Thursday’s national “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day (IGED),” eighth grade girls at the top of their class in math and science at Bohemia Manor Middle School in Chesapeake City, Md., were invited to meet with female engineers in various functional positions at ATK, including design, drafting, analysis and management.  They designed and launched their own straw rockets, and witnessed two static rocket motor firings.

EWeek concluded with a Lunch and Learn presentation entitled “Your most AWESOME project,” which provided four senior ATK engineers with the opportunity to present the most awesome projects they had worked on at ATK and the audience determined the winner.

At its annual meeting, the Missouri Water Environment Association (MWEA) presented the Industrial Water Quality Achievement Award to ATK Small Caliber Systems for the upgrade to the industrial wastewater treatment plant (IWTP) at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant.  The upgrade project received the organization’s Safety Award – Large Facility recognizing that crews worked 35,000 man hours injury-free during its one-year construction. The organization also honored ATK with the Gold Pretreatment Award for 100 percent compliance with the Little Blue Valley Sewer District’s wastewater discharges and reporting requirements.

 “We’ve worked hard to receive pre-treatment awards every year, but this year’s Gold Award and the Quality Achievement Award are testaments to ATK’s commitment to our environmental responsibilities,” said ATK Small Caliber Systems Environmental Engineer George Abbott. “Maintaining an environmentally-sound manufacturing facility is integral to sustaining Lake City for future generations of community residents and the Department of Defense.”

“I’m really proud of everyone on this team and their accomplishments,” said Small Caliber Systems Director of Facilities Bonnie Gorman.  “They were dedicated to safety during this project and to assuring the record of continued environmental compliance.  They made it look easy, but I know it wasn’t.”

ATK has entered into an agreement to acquire Caliber Company, the parent company of Savage Sports Corporation. Savage is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of hunting rifles and shotguns, delivering innovative products for more than 100 years. The acquisition would expand ATK’s portfolio offering by adding long guns to its leading brands in commercial and security ammunition, shooting sports and security-related accessories. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. ATK anticipates closing the transaction in the first quarter of its Fiscal Year 2014 (FY14), which ends June 30, 2013.  News release

Students at a local elementary school in Arlington, Virginia have set their sights on an ambitious goal. They’re aiming to become the first K-8 school in the world to launch a “CubeSat” satellite into orbit. The project kicked off recently at St. Thomas More Cathedral School with financial and volunteer support from ATK Space Systems Division. The contribution ties into ATK’s strong support of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiatives in K-12 schools focusing on inspiring students to pursue careers in science and engineering.

As part of a three-year project, students will build a “CubeSat” measuring approximately four inches long and three pounds. Students, through hands-on work, will develop skills and experiences used in the aerospace industry. The CubeSat is scheduled to be launched by 2014 with assistance from NASA. Once launched, the satellite will collect photos and data that will be used internationally for education and research purposes.

ATK employee and NASA Mission Manager Joe Pellegrino (bottom left photo) suggested the project. Joe, a parent at the school, will act as a consultant from start-to-build-to-launch: “Usually these are built by universities or even grad students, so it’s quite remarkable that we’re trying to do this with grade school students. During the course of my career, I’ve built satellites and thought the CubeSat would be something achievable the kids could perform that would get them interested in science and space.”

The satellite will include two science payloads and a camera. Students will also test the satellite in various weather conditions including cold, heat, vibrations and high air pressure. An upcoming milestone comes at the end of the school year when students use weather balloons to conduct a high altitude test of the CubeSat in the school parking lot.

Computer teacher and Mission Manager Melissa Pore said every student in the school will be involved in the mission. “As teachers, we need to provide opportunities for students to discover and apply learning to real world scenarios. Our future is in their hands.”

ATK’s Joe Pellegrino says the mission is well worth the investment especially if some students decide to be engineers or scientists. He added, “It was a teacher that got me interested in engineering in third grade which led to a satisfying and rewarding career in the space industry. I hope we can inspire some of these young students through this activity to pursue careers in science and engineering.”

In 1990, a Navy SEAL was navigating a minefield when his pack failed. As his gear tumbled to the ground, he vowed that if he got out of there alive he would make gear the right way. Today, this obsession with quality applies to everything BLACKHAWK! does. They are constantly researching, refining and perfecting every detail to provide gear that won’t let you down. Watch the new BLACKHAWK! commercial.

When ATK Aerospace Group’s Space Components Division in Goleta won a contract to continue development of the MegaFlex solar array, the announcement caught the attention of a teacher at the Anacapa School in Santa Barbara, California. The teacher was researching potential topics for the Anacapa School’s annual week-long symposium, which brings together an elite group of subject matter experts from across southern California. With this year’s theme revolving around the study and exploration of space, MegaFlex sounded like an excel­lent addition to the program—so the teacher reached out to ATK, and Nathan Walker, a design engineer at ATK’s Goleta facility, vol­unteered to give a presentation.

“I was eager to volunteer, because two of my former classmates and roommates at Westmont College in Santa Barbara had at one time been science teachers at the school, and they spoke very highly of its mission and approach to edu­cation,” said Walker. Other presenters at this year’s symposium included professors, researchers, engineers and an astronaut.

Walker’s presentation, called “How to Power Your Spaceship,” focused on the basic science behind electrically-powered propulsion and its possibilities for improved space travel over the next decade. Walker also showed how ATK’s development of the MegaFlex solar array (image below) plays a key role in advancing this tech­nology because of its power-to-weight ratio.

“The students and faculty enjoyed learning that some really cool stuff is being built right in their backyard,” said Walker. “One par­ticular student had already been doing some research on solar cell technology on his own, and he expressed interest in perhaps one day intern­ing or even working at ATK’s Goleta facility.”

Walker is hopeful that ATK’s participation in this event set the stage for further oppor­tunities to partner with the Anacapa School in encouraging some of the brightest stu­dents in the area to pursue careers in science and technology.

To view Walker’s presentation on YouTube, visit http://bit.ly/Y1aImu

Fifty-six ATK Aerospace Group employees representing nine teams and three indi­vidual accomplishments were recognized at the winter quar­ter Achievement Awards dinner at the ATK Conference Center in Ogden Canyon, Utah.

“It is nice to be recognized for the hard work you perform and to recognize your peers at the same time,” said Nathan Halladay, manufacturing engineer. “It was especially nice to be able to bring my spouse along. I think we often forget that our extra efforts go beyond just those at work and extend to those who support us at home.”

With more than 200 employees nominated for significant accom­plishments across Propulsion Systems, the review committee had a difficult time selecting this quarter’s recipients. The Propulsion Systems Achievement Award is different from other rewards and rec­ognition programs at ATK in that any employee can nominate some­one for an award. This quarter’s recipients were nominated by peers, colleagues in other departments, and immediate supervisors.

Scott Lehr, vice president and general manager, Defense & Commercial Division, set the tone for the evening, emphasizing the significance of this program and the achievements being honored. “The individuals and teams being recognized demonstrated an excep­tional level of performance that is critical to our operational excel­lence and customer success. It’s exciting to see so many people across Propulsion Systems truly meriting this award.”

ATK is exhibiting its wide variety of space products and capabilities, including NASA’s Space Launch System booster, Advanced Booster concepts, commercial motor product line, ViviSat, small satellite and satellite component technologies at the National Space Symposium in Colorado Springs April 8-11. ATK is located at Booth #503 in the Broadmoor exhibit hall.

During the symposium, ATK is co-sponsoring the Wireless Internet in the Exhibit Center and Broadmoor Rooms. The National Space Symposium has brought together space leaders from around the world to discuss, address and dream about the future of space since the inaugural event in 1984.

ATK released its Fiscal Year 2013 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report, which details the company’s efforts to make a positive impact in the communities in which it does business. The report is divided into seven categories: safety, ethics and compliance, community service, military support and appreciation, environmental stewardship, diversity, and wellness.  Also in the report is a message from ATK President and CEO Mark DeYoung on the importance of giving back to those in need.

A special thanks to all the ATK employees who contributed to this report and who organized and participated in the many activities recorded within.

Visitors to the ATK exhibit at Satellite 2013 can learn more about the company’s satellite products and capabilities, including small satellite platforms and in-orbit servicing, through videos, animation and product model displays. ATK subject matter experts will also be available to answer questions and provide additional information.

A Satellite 2013 session titled “Satellite Life Extension: Reaching for the Holy Grail” will take place on Wednesday, March 20, at 3:15 p.m. at the conference center. Jim Armor, ATK Vice President of Strategy and Business Development will be a panelist in the session representing ViviSat, a joint venture of ATK and U.S. Space LLC, and the only U.S.-based provider of in-orbit servicing. Visit our Satellite 2013 website.