Background
ATK was formed in 1990 as a subsidiary of Honeywell Inc. as part of Honeywell's plan to exit the defense industry. Under the plan, Honeywell's defense businesses were transferred to ATK which was then spun off to Honeywell stockholders as a separate company.
In 1995 ATK entered the aerospace market with the acquisition of Hercules Inc. Aerospace division. Since then ATK has grown to become a leading supplier of aerospace and defense products to the U.S. government and its allies, and to prime contractors. ATK is also a major supplier of ammunition and related accessories to law enforcement agencies and commercial customers.
In 2001, ATK acquired Thiokol, renaming it to ATK Launch Systems in 2006 (though it's still known within the industry by its original name). Thiokol was the sole manufacturer of the reusable Solid Rocket Motor used to launch the NASA Space Shuttle, which will be adapted to the Space Launch System. It also produces other solid-fuel propulsion systems, including the Star 48 upper stage. In addition, ATK manufactures the booster separation systems that release the motors away from the Shuttle orbiter and the main liquid fuel tank. Nearly every NASA planetary probe has used some form of propulsion from one of the company's divisions, and ATK also participated in the X-43A project. The company also produces the propulsion system used in the Trident D5 nuclear missile.
Alliant Techsystems, Edina, and Humbert CTTS SAS were awarded an approximately US$14 million contract to provide Speer 9mm GoldDot ammunition to the French Gendarmerie, French Customs, French Corrections and all 250,000 police officers in France. ATK has greatly expanded its workforce during the United States ammunition shortage. "ATK is experiencing unprecedented demand for ammunition," said Amanda Covington, a spokesperson for ATK in 2009. "Our facilities are working 24–7 to meet the demand of all of our customers."
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