Alliant Techsystems Inc.
(
ATK
) has received a contract, worth $32 Million, from the United
States Air Force to deliver 30mm tactical PGU-13 ammunition and
30mm training PGU-15 ammunition. Per the agreement, the company's
Armament Systems division will roll out the deliveries from its
Allegheny Ballistics Laboratory in West Virginia and New River
Energetics facilities in Radford, Virginia. The supply of
ammunitions is expected to start from March 2013.
Alliant's series of 30mm ammunition provides cost-effective,
ballistic-matched training rounds for improved war-fighter
performance. This PGU series cartridge is specially produced for
training purposes. It is used as ammunition for the 30mm GAU-8/A
gatling gun for the U.S. Air Force's A-10 Thunderbolt
close-support aircrafts.
The company is a prime PGU-13 and PGU-15 ammunition provider to
the U.S. Air Force's A-10 aircrafts. This product has a major
role to play in training for the A-10 aircrews for boosting their
air-to-ground combat skills. The company continues its support to
the U.S. forces by delivering superior quality products, strong
value and an equally high level of customer service.
The PGU-13 ammunition is used in air-to-ground and close-air
support functions to strike light aims at widened ranges. This
ammunition has been largely used to offer close air support.
However, PGU-15 target practice rounds provide live-training
environment for the crews.
Arlington, Virginia-based Alliant Techsystems Inc. provides
aerospace and defense products to the U.S. government agencies.
The company also supplies ammunition and related accessories to
law enforcement agencies and commercial customers. With a market
capitalization of $1.84 billion, Alliant has 17,000 full time
employees. The company competes with
Rockwell Collins Inc.
(
COL
) and
Elbit Systems Ltd.
(
ESLT
).
Alliant is expected to release its second-quarter of fiscal-year
2013 results on November 1, 2012 before the market opens. The
Zacks Consensus Estimates for second-quarter and fiscal-year 2013
are currently pegged at $1.46 and 7.15 per share, respectively.
As we know that Alliant's two biggest customers are the U.S.
Department of Defense and the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, the expected U.S. defense budget cutbacks could
limit the future growth prospects of the company. In addition,
higher degree of competition from a number of players in each of
its business area is also our concern.
Alliant Techsystems Inc. currently has a short-term Zacks #4 Rank
(Sell rating).
ALLIANT TECHSYS (ATK): Free Stock Analysis
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ROCKWELL COLLIN (COL): Free Stock Analysis
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