ATK relocation will move executives to Arlington, Va.

Eden Prairie-based defense contractor Alliant Techsystems will move its headquarters out of Minnesota to Arlington, Va., in October.

Only the company's senior executives will make the move, said spokesman Brian Grace. He said the move will bring Alliant Techsystems, commonly known as ATK, physically closer to the Defense Department and NASA, which are some of its biggest clients. The company's 2,700 Eden Prairie employees will stay put.

"Right now ATK has over 18,000 employees worldwide. We're in 22 states, Puerto Rico and internationally," Grace said.

The move brings the number of Minnesota-based Fortune 500 companies from 20 to 19. ATK makes missile and rocket components, and is a major supplier of ammunition to the military.

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