Boeing

The Boeing [BA: NYSE] Company has selected Alliant Techsystems to produce composite structures for its new Delta IV family of rockets now in development. The long term contract, which is under negotiation, is estimated, with options, to be worth nearly $1 billion dollars.

Alliant will fabricate the composite structures at the Tri-State Commerce Park in Luka, Miss. The structures include the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV)/Delta IV booster nose cones, interstage, center body and other large composite fabrication. First delivery will be in the second quarter 1999. The EELV/Delta IV composite structure contract will create approximately 100 new jobs, in Luka and the surrounding area.

Luka is strategically located 70 miles from Decatur, Ala., on the Tennessee River. The components will be barged to the Boeing Delta IV factory currently under construction in Decatur. Composite structures for Delta II and Delta III payload fairings and adapters, struts and tunnels, interstage and centerbody will continue to be manufactured by Boeing in Huntington Beach, Calif.

The Delta IV family of launch vehicles is the Boeing Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) entry for a multi-year U.S. Air Force program aimed at reducing space launch costs. Delta IV is evolved from the highly successful Delta family of rockets which have been lifting satellites into orbit since 1960.

"This contract sends a clear message," said Mike Kennedy, Boeing vice president, Evolved Expandable Launch Vehicles/Delta IV program. "It reflects our commitment to partnering with quality suppliers that enable us to implement our low-cost approach."

Paul A. Ross, group vice president, Space and Strategic Systems for Alliant Techsystems added, "The combination of a great space launch company like Boeing, the composite structures talent of Alliant Techsystems and the commitment to create a positive business environment by the State of Mississippi is a formula for success."

"This is an important new long-term commercial contract that continues our growth in composite structures," said Richard Schwartz, chairman and chief executive officer for Alliant. "We have made significant investments in advanced composite manufacturing technology to provide low-cost, high-quality products that base their foundation in rigorous process control."

Alliant Techsystems' Space and Strategic Systems Groups comprises the company's space and strategic propulsion and Utah-based composites structures operations.

Headquartered in Hopkins, Minn., Alliant Techsystems is a $1.1 billion dollar aerospace and defense company with approximately 6,600 employees and operations in 23 states. For more information, visit the Alliant Techsystems website.

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