Alliant Techsystems to provide rocket motors

Minnesota-based Alliant Techsystems, which has several operations in Utah, on Tuesday said it will replace Pratt & Whitney as a provider of rocket motors for an interceptor missile.

The second- and third-stage propulsion motors will be produced in Elkton, Md. They will be used in the Missile Defense Agency's Ground-based Missile Defense program. Lockheed Martin picked ATK to provide the Orbus 1A rocket motors for the Boost Vehicle Plus missile.

ATK also provides first-stage propulsion for the system. The Gem-40 VN motors will be produced by ATK in Magna.

Terms of the contracts were not disclosed.