Alliant Techsystems (ATK) has received multiple contract awards from the ManTech Program office of United States Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH. The awards are to continue development of manufacturing process improvements for ceramic matrix composite (CMC) components. The contracts are valued at nearly $10 million and the awards spanned 2007 and 2008.

The CMC materials and components are expected to be incorporated into next-generation aircraft to reduce weight and life-cycle costs. The materials can withstand the extreme temperatures of the engine exhaust stream better than existing materials and can last as much as three times longer than conventional materials and parts. By using CMCs for engine components, the Air Force and Navy can extend the time between engine overhauls, significantly reducing aircraft maintenance costs. The CMC products are intended to be used initially in the jet engines of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.