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Edina’s ATK expects sales surge from Afghanistan buildup

By Paul Schmelzer | 12.04.09 | 3:49 pm

While President Obama’s plan to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan has been met with mixed reactions, one local company sees an upside to troop escalation. Edina-based ATK, formerly Alliant TechSystems, expects to see demand for…

Klobuchar to back limits on cluster-bomb use, activists say

By Chris Steller | 08.27.09 | 7:04 pm

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar has vowed to co-sponsor a bill that would restrict the United States’ use of cluster bombs, rendering as many as half a billion stockpiled weapons off-limits. That’s according to activists who say the announcement — made at a meeting with her Wednesday, after months of pressure by Minnesota citizens and peace groups — came as a surprise.

CEOs cushioned from downturn in 2008

By Paul Schmelzer | 04.14.09 | 3:44 pm

db_ceoLast year was abysmal for American workers, right? Not if you’re a CEO. Reuters reports that more CEOs saw pay increases last year than saw pay cuts. On top of that, “the median salary for CEOs of…

Business booming for defense contractors? Alliant lays off munitions workers

By Paul Schmelzer | 01.09.09 | 10:55 am

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…

Canada shoots down Alliant space deal

By Paul Schmelzer | 04.10.08 | 11:26 am

Edina-based Alliant Techsystems — maker of everything from bullets to cluster bombs to satellite equipment — has had its bid to buy Canada’s top aerospace firm shot down. The Canadian government rejected the…

ATK continues making bullets by the billion

By Tom Elko | 04.08.08 | 8:34 am

Edina-based Alliant Techsystems (ATK), the largest supplier of small-caliber ammunition to the United States military, has announced that it delivered 1.4 billion rounds to the military for FY 2008 and projects…

Clinton’s military earmarks include $$ for local defense contractor

By Tom Elko | 03.20.08 | 7:12 am

Though Sen. Hillary Clinton has balked so far at releasing a full list of her requested earmarks, the Seattle Times has published…

Ireland to cease investing in Edina’s Alliant Techsystems

By Paul Schmelzer | 03.19.08 | 12:47 pm

Ireland is the latest addition on a growing list of countries that refuse to invest government funds in manufacturers of “cluster munitions” — and Edina’s Alliant Tech Systems (now…

Made-in-Minnesota menace

By Tom Elko | 02.22.08 | 9:41 am

Part Two: ATK’s Cluster Bombs Kill Civilians, Rights Groups Charge
The SDF-equipped M85.The widening controversy over an Edina-based munitions firm extends from the suburbs of Minneapolis to the capital of Canada to battlefields…

ATK’s WMDs ignite protest over Candian acquisition

By Tom Elko | 02.18.08 | 8:45 am

Edina-based ATK, formerly Alliant Tech Systems, has been building its space systems operations for years in an effort to diversify its business as one of the nation’s largest munitions manufacturers. But its expansion…