[Satellite Today – 5-8-08] Alliant Techsystems (ATK) Launch Systems division posted a 3 percent increase in sales and a 2 percent increase in operating profit for the fiscal year 2008 fourth quarter, ATK announced May 8.    
    Sales in the Launch Systems group rose to $286 million, compared to $278 million in 2007. The increase reflects higher sales in NASA programs, partially offset by anticipated lower sales in strategic propulsion programs. Operating profit was $40 million, up about $1 million due to higher sales volume and lower pension expenses.
    For the full year, sales in the Launch Systems group rose 13 percent to $1.2 billion, up from $1.1 billion in the prior year. Operating profit rose 17 percent to $172 million compared to $147 million in the prior year.
    Overall, ATK reported $1.1 billion in sales for the quarter, up 12 percent from 2007’s $1 billion, and $4.2 billion for the year, 17 percent higher than in 2007. ATK also reported $120 million in operating profit for the quarter, a 40 percent increase over the same quarter in 2007, and $437.1 million for the year.