posted 01-10-2008 05:02 PM               

The sale, should it proceed, includes the space shuttle's Canadarm (RMS) and the space station's Canadarm II (SSRMS).

According to the Canadian Press today, ATK says the Canadarm will continue to sport Canada's Maple Leaf, even after its 'import' to the U.S.:

quote:

---

Bryce Hallowell of Alliant Techsystems Inc. (NYSE:ATK) called the idea of taking the Maple Leaf off the Canadian icon "preposterous."

"The whole idea of this acquisition is to grow the business in Canada," Hallowell said.

"MDA has some incredible technologies that they've been blocked from bringing to the U.S. market, and now with our ownership after the acquisition and regulatory approval we believe strongly the business will have an opportunity to introduce itself to the U.S. market and grow substantially."

Alliant Techsystems had a team of executives in Ottawa this week to reassure the federal government that the work done by MDA will continue to be Canadian.

---