SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 27, 1997
ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 1-10582 41-16726904
(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) File Number) Identification No.)
600 SECOND STREET N.E.
HOPKINS, MINNESOTA 55343-8384
(Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (612) 931-6000
NOT APPLICABLE
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year if changed from last
report)
Item 5. Other Events.
(a) Effective November 10, 1997, the registrant has entered into an
Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, a copy of which is
attached hereto as Exhibit 4.
(b) The registrant is a defendant in a patent infringement case
brought by Thiokol Corporation, which the registrant believes is without
merit. The complaint does not quantify the amount of damages sought. Through
its analysis of an October 27, 1997 court filing, the registrant now believes
that, based on an economist's expert testimony, Thiokol may seek lost
profits, interest and costs of approximately $260 million. The registrant
continues to defend the case vigorously and has filed a motion for summary
judgment asserting the invalidity of the subject patent based upon a sale of
the subject materials by Thiokol more than one year prior to the filing of
its patent application. Even if the registrant is found liable, it believes
that damages should be based upon a reasonable royaltay of less than $5
million. In the judgment of the registrant's management, the case will not
have a material adverse effect upon the registrant's future financial
condition or results of operations. However, there can be no assurance that
the outcome of the case will not have a material adverse effect on the
registrant.
The case, captioned "Thiokol Corporation vs. Alliant Techsystems Inc.
and Hercules Incorporated," was filed in the United States District Court for
the District of Delaware on November 15, 1995 and a non-jury trial is
scheduled to commence in December 1997 if the registrant's summary judgment
motion is not granted. Thiokol alleges that the rocket motor insulation used
by the registrant in certain rocket motors infringes a patent owned by
Thiokol. The complaint also seeks a trebling of any damages that may be
awarded based upon an allegation of deliberate and willful infringement.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(a) None.
(b) None.
(c) Exhibits.
Exhibit No. Description of Exhibit
----------- ----------------------
4 Amendment dated as of November 7, 1997 to the Amended
and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of March 15,
1995 as amended and restated as of November 14, 1996
among the registrant, the Lenders party thereto,
Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as
Documentation Agent and The Chase Manhattan Bank as
Administrative Agent
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC.
Date: November 14, 1997
By: /s/ Charles H. Gauck
Name: Charles H. Gauck
Title: Secretary
ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC.
FORM 8-K
EXHIBIT INDEX
The following exhibits are filed herewith electronically or incorporated
herein by reference. The applicable Securities and Exchange Commission File
Number is 1-10582.
Exhibit
Number Description of Exhibit Method of Filing
- ------- ---------------------- ----------------
4 Amendment dated as of November 7, 1997 to Filed herewith electronically
the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
dated as of March 15, 1995 as amended and
restated as of November 14, 1996 among the
registrant, the Lenders party thereto,
Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York,
as Documentation Agent and The Chase
Manhattan Bank as Administrative Agent