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Alliant Techsystems And Oerlikon-Contraves Pyrotec Sign Licensing Agreement For 35mm Ammunition

Minneapolis, Nov. 20, 1996 -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) and Oerlikon-Contraves Pyrotec said they have signed a licensing agreement that gives Alliant exclusive rights to sell the Oerlikon family of 35mm ammunition in the U.S.

Under the agreement, Alliant will market Oerlikon’s new advanced ammunition, including Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot-Traced rounds, Frangible Armor-Piercing Discarding Sabot rounds, and AHEAD remote-set time-fuzed ammunition. The ammunition can be used on 35mm weapon systems aboard upgraded and new U.S. combat platforms such as the Bradley Fighting Vehicle A3 Upgrade, Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle, Future Scout and Cavalry System, and Future Infantry Vehicle.

Bruce Johnson, vice president, Ammunition Systems, for Alliant’s Defense Systems Group, said the agreement continues a long-standing relationship between the world’s two leading developers and manufacturers of medium caliber ammunition.

"Alliant’s partnership with Oerlikon dates back to the early 1980s, when our original licensing agreement was signed," said Johnson. "We are pleased to expand this relationship with a new agreement for 35mm ammunition, which represents a significant new market in the U.S. as more platforms consider a 35mm gun for their principal weapon system."

Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, Oerlikon-Contraves Pyrotec is Europe’s leader in the design, development, and production of medium caliber ammunition. The company’s ammunition products range from 12.7mm caliber to 35mm caliber for army, air defense, air force, and navy applications. The performance of Oerlikon-Contraves Pyrotec ammunition is known worldwide and its products are in service in more than 40 countries.

Alliant TechsystemsÕ Defense Systems Group reported fiscal year 1996 sales of $437 million. It employs approximately 2,500 people at facilities in Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, and Wisconsin. Major customers include the U.S. Department of Defense and allied military services.

Alliant Techsystems is a $1.2 billion aerospace and defense company with approximately 7,600 employees and operations in 24 states. The company, headquartered in Hopkins, Minn., comprises four business groups: Aerospace Systems, Defense Systems, Marine Systems, and Emerging Business.