Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) has been awarded a $26.1 million contract by the U.S. Air Force's Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) for the design, fabrication, installation, and testing of the Space Threat Assessment Testbed (STAT) System. STAT will create a realistic space environment to perform developmental and early operational testing of space hardware for the Department of Defense, the National Reconnaissance Office and other federal agencies.

Key features of STAT include the capability to replicate complex natural space environments simulating Low Earth Orbit and Geosynchronous Orbits. In addition, STAT will simulate key man-made threats and provide a real-time connection capability that allows for involvement of ground station hardware, software and operators in the test and evaluation process. STAT will also lay the foundation for near real-time connectivity to a satellite operations center. Such will allow the Air Force to perform integrated system testing and training, while also assisting in the development of tactics, techniques, and procedures for future space operations. Overall program management and systems engineering will be done at ATK's facility in Goleta, Calif., by its team of science and engineering experts skilled in space environments and effects, testing of materials and structures, test capabilities development, spacecraft operations, and mission planning. ATK facilities in Logan, Utah and Tullahoma, Tenn., will also contribute to the project. ATK Logan will coordinate and execute the design, fabrication, installation, and testing of the STAT system. ATK Tullahoma will handle onsite assembly, testing, and checkout. Work is scheduled for completion in early 2013.