Elbit Systems and ATK Developing Laser-Guided Advanced Tactical Rocket (GATR-L)

by David Crane
defrev at gmail dot com

July 17, 2008

Elbit Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq: ESLT) and Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) announced on July 09, 2008 that they’ll be teaming up on the development of a laser-guided 2.75"/70mm Hydra rocket called the Guided Advanced Tactical Rocket-Laser (GATR-L).

GATR-L is being designed and developed to provide an affordable and cost-effective precision-strike/precision-kill capability for fixed-wing aircraft, rotary-wing aircraft (i.e. helicopters), and unmanned aircraft system (UAS) a.k.a. unmanned aerial system a.k.a. unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platforms.

The GATR-L 70mm rocket (2.75" rocket) utilizes…

Semi-Active Laser (SAL) guidance to achieve precision-guided, surgical kills on both stationary and moving targets. In addition, GATR-L can lock-on before launch to ensure only the targeted aircraft or vehicle is engaged and neutralized. GATR-L is compatible with existing 2.75"/70mm launcher hardware and utilizes enhanced insensitive munitions technologies.

Elbit Systems will provide the laser-guided targeting hardware, and ATK will provide the rocket motor, advanced warhead and fuze. The two companies are currently conducting ground and airborne-guided tests.

Elbit Systems Contacts:

Joseph Gaspar, Exec. VP & CFO

Dalia Rosen, Corp. Communications

Tel: +972-4-8316663

Fax: +972-3-8316944

E-mail: gspr@elbit.co.il, daliarosen@elbit.co.il

Alliant Techsystems (ATK) Contacts:

Amanda Covington, Communications
Tel: 801-779-4625
E-mail: amanda.covington@atk.com

Steve Wold, Investor Relations
Tel: 952-351-3056
Email: steve.wold@atk.com