ATK earns contract extension and expansion on A350 XWB program

ATK (has entered into a contract extension through 2027 for its work providing lightweight composite fuselage stringers and frames for the Airbus A350 XWB program. In addition, ATK's contract includes increased scope for design changes and added manufacturing operations. This project expansion is a significant milestone for ATK and represents a continuation of the valuable working relationship ATK has developed with Airbus and its partners, Aerolia SAS and Premium Aerotec GmbH, part of the EADS group.

"We are very pleased to have reached this agreement with Airbus," said Joy de Lisser, vice president and general manager of ATK's Aerospace Structures Division. "This marks another big step in our long-term partnership with Airbus on the A350 XWB program. We are very proud of the trust and level of accomplishment that this extension represents."

The A350 XWB work is performed at ATK's Aircraft Commercial Center of Excellence (ACCE) facility in Clearfield, Utah. The extended work includes the potential of up to an additional 800 ship-sets of production, creating a long-term relationship between Airbus and ATK.

ATK's proprietary automated stiffener forming machines (ASFM) have been instrumental in the development and manufacture of composite stringers and frames. The Company's ASFM process enables ATK to produce extremely high quality, dimensionally precise and highly repeatable composite components for all stringers and frames needed in the fuselage, while reducing manufacturing time over traditional hand lay-up methods.