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16 Jul 2008  -  United States

ATK advances composite technology for next generation commercial aircraft

Alliant Techsystems announced on July 14, 2008 the development of a patented automated stiffener forming machine (ASFM) that provides automation technology for the manufacture of composite stiffeners. A technology built for the construction of next generation commercial aircraft, ATK's patented ASFM provides lower cost, higher quality stiffeners, with superior compaction and repeatability compared to those produced using the previous industry-standard, hand lay-up process.

ATK ASFM technology is also unique in the flexibility of its design.
Providing both a linear and radial option, the ATK ASFM can fabricate stringers and the frames, which make up the skeleton of a commercial aircraft fuselage shell, at production rates of nearly 10 times that of the traditional lay-up process.

This technology marks another first for ATK in the advancement and successful application of automated technology for composites.

ATK, a recognized developer of advanced fiber placement technology, is also advancing its fiber placement capability to meet the expanding composite aerostructures market for both commercial and military applications. ATK is executing a focused development effort to provide a near-term doubling of throughput on individual fiber placement machines and is targeting a long-term improvement factor of 10. These increases in production will provide for significant cost savings. When combined with ATK's industry-leading fiber placement capacity, these significant advances in production will allow ATK to meet the increasing commercial and military demand. ATK currently has 10 large format fiber placement machines in place, and plans to install two more in the next 18 months, further extending ATK's market lead in this area.

"ATK is technology driven and the ASFM development continues that tradition,"
said Mark Messick, Vice President and General Manager, ATK Aerospace Structures. "Our goal is to develop and perfect technologies that meet the demands of the industry and exceed customer expectations."

About Alliant Techsystems (ATK)
ATK is a premier aerospace and defense company with more than 17,000 employees in 21 states and $4.5 billion in revenue.

Source : ATK