Alliant Techsystems, based in Minnesota, plans to combine its Launch Systems and Space Systems groups into a single business unit.

Carl Marchetto, the current president of the company's Space Systems group, will lead the new organization, which will retain the Space Systems name and be based in the Washington, D.C., area, the company said Tuesday.

Ron Dittemore, who has served as the president of the Launch Systems group, will become the company's senior vice president of strategic partnerships.

The group will have about 6,600 employees and operate in 10 states in developing space launch vehicles and propulsion systems and manufacturing components and subsystems for satellites and spacecraft. The company has operations in Brigham City, Clearfield and Magna.

Alliant has about 4,900 employees in Utah among more than 17,000 employees in 21 states.