Speaking to SP’s Aviation, ATK (Amanda Covington, Vice President, ATK Corporate Communications), elaborated on the company’s performance at Le Bourget

SP’s Aviation (SP’s): How was the show for you this year?

ATK: Over the years, the Paris Air Show has become one of the industry’s most prestigious events, and we were pleased to be a part of it yet again. ATK had another successful show. We were able to showcase our highly engineered products to international customers, which is an important market for our industry.

SP’s: What success stories you concluded at the show and can you please share them with us?

ATK: ATK highlighted its growing capabilities in several business areas, including commercial and military aerospace structures manufacturing and in the satellite and launch vehicle markets, with products for the Airbus A350 and A400M aircraft, Rolls-Royce TrentXWB 84K and 97K engines, the Vivisat satellite life extension programme and multiple launch vehicle programmes. We also showcased our advanced anti-radiation guided missile (AARGM) and demonstrated our Special Mission aircraft capabilities, with a specific focus on the MC-27J multi-mission aircraft.

SP’s: Did the tricky weather disrupt or affect your business interactions during the show?

ATK: We were not affected by the weather.

SP’s: Can you indicate which specific innovations were introduced by your company at the show?

ATK: ATK announced the award of a contract valued at more than $50 million ( Rs. 300 crore) from Rolls-Royce plc, United Kingdom, to produce aft fan composite cases for the new Trent XWB-97 engine. The contract has the potential to grow to more than $200 million ( Rs. 1,200 crore). This Rolls-Royce engine is the sole engine now available to power the Airbus A350-1000 aircraft variant. We also recently announced that ATK and Alenia Aermacchi successfully completed the first phase of ground and flight tests of Alenia’s MC-27J multi-mission aircraft.

SP’s: Which programme of your company is the most innovative one today and what kind of transformation will it bring for the market once available for potential users?

ATK: We offer a diverse range of highly engineered products in the aerospace, defence and commercial sectors. We are the world’s largest producer of military ammunition and a top producer of solid rocket propulsion systems. We are a leader in precision and strike weapons, missile warning solutions and tactical rocket propulsion. We have leading brands in hunting, shooting sports law enforcement ammunition and accessories. ATK is committed to delivering affordable innovation to customers.

SP’s: Which part of the world looks like the most promising market at this point of time and why?

ATK: Currently, ATK’s international sales are about 10 per cent of our business. We’re looking to expand our global reach in various markets, including the Middle East/North Africa (MENA), India, Asia-Pacific and South America.