Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK) was an American aerospace and arms manufacturer headquartered in Arlington County, Virginia.

[2] The spinoff of the Sporting Group to create Vista Outdoor and the merger leading to the creation of Orbital ATK were completed on February 9, 2015.

The former Honeywell businesses had supplied defense products and systems to the U.S. and its allies for 50 years, including the first electronic autopilot for the B-17 aircraft's bombing missions during World War II.

[8] ATK responded to news of the explosion of a rocket built by Orbital[clarification needed] in an earnings call[when?].

ATK stated it would conduct a "thorough evaluation of any potential implications resulting from the incident, including current operating plans, long-term strategies, and the proposed transaction".

[13] In July 2022, Northrop CEO Kathy Warden was forced to deny reports that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would break up the merger.

The group offered propulsion for space exploration, commercial launch vehicles and strategic and missile defense.

[14] It also specialized in: In November 2010, ATK was selected by NASA for potential contracts in heavy lift launch vehicle systems and other propulsion technologies.

ATK will provide fairings, payload adapters and diaphragms, interstages, nose cones, and thermal/aerodynamic protection components.

[18] ATK participated in a consortium to develop a new engine nozzle for the Boeing 787 designed to make its operation more environmentally friendly.

Boeing's tests show that the nozzle is more heat resistant than previous models and lighter, allowing for potential gains in fuel efficiency.

[22] ATK worked with Northrop Grumman to produce the backplane support frame (BSF) for the James Webb Space Telescope.

The BSF, center section, and wings form what is called the primary mirror backplane support system (PMBSS).

The BSF is the primary load-bearing structure during launch and the PMBSS holds the telescope's main instruments, including its mirrors.

[23] ATK produces Graphite Epoxy Motors (GEM) and largest composite fairings for the Delta II rocket as a subcontractor for the United Launch Alliance.

For example, for the Delta IV that carried the Wideband Global SATCOM satellite (WGS-6) into orbit for the U.S. Air Force, ATK supplied the interstage connector that linked the Common Booster Core and the cryogenic second stage, a centerbody that connects the liquid oxygen tank to liquid hydrogen tanks, a thermal shield for the RS-68 engine, the composite payload fairing, and numerous pieces of hardware for securing the payload.

[27] The mission's objective is to place a stationary lander equipped with a seismometer and heat flow probe on the surface of Mars to study its early geological evolution.

ATK claims that UltraFlex will provide better performance than typical solar arrays used on spacecraft while accommodating ambitious requirements for low mass and small size.

ATK entered the competition in response to a request for proposals from the Air Force Space and Missile Defense Center issued in 2013 for the RD-180 rocket engine.

ATK said, "Solid rocket motors are optimal for first-stage performance as they provide high lift-off thrust, allowing for more payload margin.

[32] ATK's Defense Group produced ammunition, precision and strike weapons, missile-warning solutions and tactical rocket motors across air, sea and land-based systems.

[34][35] The United States Army and ATK opened a renovated ammunition production facility at the LCAAP in December 2014.

[38] In August 2014, the United States Navy awarded a full-rate production contract to ATK to produce to AARGM.

However, as well as the fuzing function it will provide a GPS guidance package and control surfaces to correct the flight of the shell.

Some United States Navy vessels, such as the new San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock are armed with the Bushmaster II for surface threat defense.

Improvements include a one-inch longer barrel, integral mount to increase first round hit probability by up to 10 percent, and dual recoil system to enhance accuracy and cope with future hotter propellants.

The 30 mm chain gun can fire Mk310 Programmable Air Burst Munition rounds to attack targets in defilade.

The United States Army Research, Development and Engineering Command helped enhance the XM813 mainly for safety and turret integration.

[45][46] ATK's Sporting Group offered products under several brands for sport-shooting enthusiasts, police, and military customers around the world.

[47] The group provided: ATK's outdoor products brands included: Federal Premium Ammunition, Bushnell, Savage Arms, BLACKHAWK!, Primos, Final Approach, Uncle Mike's, Hoppe's, RCBS, Alliant Powder, CCI, Speer, Champion Targets, Gold Tip Arrows, Weaver Optics, Outers, Bolle, Cebe, and Serengeti.