Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK) said it has introduced the recently developed Hostile Fire Indication (HFI) capability upgrade for its AAR-47 Missile Warning System with approval from the Department of the Navy for Fleet introduction.
The AAR-47 missiles have already proven their capability of detecting incoming missile threats over the years. Alliant’s AAR-47 Missile Warning System is a combat-proven electronic warfare system designed to protect helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft from surface-to-air threats.
The AAR-47 is the only system in use today that integrates laser and missile warning into a single platform. The system is installed on more than 2,600 fixed and rotary-wing aircraft flown by the U.S. and its allies in more than 16 countries. Aircraft such as the C-5, C-17, C-130, P-3, CH-53/MH-53, CH-46, HH/SH-60, AH-1W/Z, UH-1N/Y, and MV-22 are supported by the AAR-47.
Along with the existing facilities, the new HFI capability provides enhanced protection for the AAR-47 through detection of smaller-caliber weapon fire and rocket propelled grenades. This unique HFI capability added to the AAR-47 will enable military aircrews flying helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft to detect a wider range of threats to their aircraft, and take prompt countermeasures.
Alliant said the HFI will be supplied in the form of a software upgrade and requires no hardware modifications to the aircraft or existing AAR-47 components. The upgrade is scheduled for delivery to the Fleet later in 2011.
Alliant is the first company to bring in this key capability as part of a proven missile warning system. The company has been continuously enhancing its electronic warfare and protection capabilities to meet the urgent operational requirements of its customers.
Going forward, it expects to leverage the expertise developed during years of design, development and production to support the next generation of aircraft survivability equipment.
The Navy's decision to deploy Alliant's HFI upgrade to the fleet brings aircrews the very best protection from hostile ground fire.
Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Alliant Techsystems supplies aerospace and defense products to U.S. government agencies, and its prime contractors and sub-contractors. The company also supplies ammunition and related accessories to law enforcement agencies and commercial customers.
We retain our long-term Neutral recommendation on the stock, supported by a short-term Zacks #3 Rank (Hold). On a competitive landscape, the company is ranked at par with its closest peers General Dynamics Corp. (GD) and Raytheon Co. (RTN), both of which also carry a Zacks #3 Rank.
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