Alliant Techsystems Inc.
(
ATK
) has received a contract, worth $50 million, from the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration ("NASA") to complete its
engineering development and risk reduction examinations as a part
of the Advanced Concept Booster Development for the Space Launch
System ("SLS").
Per the contract, Alliant will help NASA to manage important
technological challenges during manufacturing of advanced booster
requirements for its SLS program. The company will use cost-saving
materials and procedures to develop a lithium-ion battery-powered
electric thrust vector control system, lightweight composite rocket
motor case, high-performance propellant and an advanced nozzle.
These advancements will conclude with a combined booster static
test firing of these utilized technologies.
The U.S. SLS will offer a completely new facility for human
exploration beyond earth orbit. In addition, it will support the
commercial as well as international transportation service partners
to the International Space Station. This system is designed to be
safe, flexible and affordable for crew or cargo missions to
continue the U.S.'s journey toward space discovery.
Driven by the installation of this modern technology including
advanced booster design, NASA will help in reducing the cost of
operations while minimizing risks under its SLS system program. In
addition, this new initiative will provide higher reliability and
greater performance than current NASA requirements, and will
subsequently help to boost the capability of NASA's heavy launch
system.
Alliant and NASA jointly took few initiatives to minimize costs
related to the SLS system. The company has already made significant
progress toward developing the first ground test motor and
advancements of cost-saving processes for manufacturing solid
rocket booster for SLS system. The company primarily uses Value
Stream Mapping ("VSM") process, which helps to recognize
incompetent processes and requirements of the system. Utilizing
this process, the company spotted more than 400 changes and
improvements, which have already received NASA approvals.
Arlington, Virginia-based Alliant Techsystems Inc. provides
aerospace and defense products to the United States government
agencies. The company also supplies ammunition and related
accessories to law enforcement agencies and commercial customers.
Alliant Techsystems Inc. currently has a short-term Zacks #2 Rank
(Buy rating) and competes with
Rockwell Collins Inc.
(
COL
) and
Elbit Systems Ltd.
(
ESLT
).
ALLIANT TECHSYS (ATK): Free Stock Analysis
Report
ROCKWELL COLLIN (COL): Free Stock Analysis
Report
ELBIT SYSTEMS (ESLT): Free Stock Analysis
Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Zacks Investment
Research