Business booming for defense contractors? Alliant lays off munitions workers

Defense contractors, one group left out of discussions about an economic stimulus package, are worried about how the Democratic majority will cut military spending. One local company, the largest provider of munitions to the U.S. military and “allied nations around the world,” seems to be feeling the pinch. ATK (formerly Alliant Techsystems), the Edina-based manufacturer of munitions, cluster bombs and aerospace technologies, is cutting jobs at several plants, including Anoka’s Federal Cartridge plant where as many as 80 workers are getting the axe (following the elimination of 40 to 50 jobs in November) and at its Idaho munitions plant, where as many as 80 more jobs are disappearing. But not so fast: Company spokesperson Amanda Cummings said the munitions business is still strong (ATK’s stock values counter that somewhat) and that the cuts have little to do with the economy. She says the layoffs normalize an earlier boost in hiring to counter a backlog of munitions orders for an expanding company.

Pictured: ATK’s “air bursting munition”