Alion Awarded $1.5M to Study Impact of Spectrum Reallocation for the Department of Defense and Develop Long-Term Spectrum Strategy

Technology Solutions Firm to Help DoD to Develop Response to Targeted Frequency Bands

MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Department of Defense (DoD) is dependent on radio frequency spectrum (RF) availability to run its sophisticated communications systems, yet some RF bands are being eyed by the commercial sector to increase broadband capacity. Alion Science and Technology, a global engineering, R&D, IT and operational solutions company, was awarded a $1.5 million contract by the Spectrum Policy and Programs, within DoD’s Office of the Chief Information Officer, to study the impact of potentially reallocating or sharing the bands.

“Reallocation would present a daunting challenge to the government. Alion will assist DoD with the development of studies and plans for specific at-risk RF bands that support critical warfighter missions and are currently targeted for access by commercial systems.”

Alion will assist DoD in developing a long-term spectrum strategy that will anticipate, guide and respond to changes in technology, policy and regulation and ensure spectrum access for all current and future DoD systems. Alion will perform analyses of the potential impacts to DoD systems currently using the targeted bands and provide recommendations to DoD stakeholders.

“As commercial communications technologies become more pervasive, DoD is facing increased pressure to reallocate some of the spectrum it relies on to conduct modern warfare,” said Maj. Gen. Charlie Fletcher (USA, Ret.), Alion Senior Vice President and Manager of the Strategic Operations Group. “Reallocation would present a daunting challenge to the government. Alion will assist DoD with the development of studies and plans for specific at-risk RF bands that support critical warfighter missions and are currently targeted for access by commercial systems.”

In 2009, Congress enacted the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which directs the Federal Communications Commission to develop a National Broadband Plan for greater transparency in spectrum allocation and utilization over the next decade. In response to the act and the President’s Broadband Initiative, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration has identified several potential RF bands for reallocation and auction for broadband services – including bands currently used by the DoD.

The task order was awarded through the Weapons Systems Technology Information Analysis Center (WSTIAC) with the period of performance through July 1, 2015. WSTIAC, operated by Alion, is one of nine Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) Information Analysis Centers (IACs). The IACs house libraries of information that are focused on specific technology areas, in addition to providing technical expertise in these areas. DTIC is headquartered at Fort Belvoir, VA, and serves the Department of Defense (DoD) by providing access to scientific and technical information for DoD personnel and contractors, including researchers, designers and engineers.

About Alion Science and Technology

Alion Science and Technology delivers advanced engineering, IT and operational solutions to strengthen national security and drive business results. For customers in defense, civilian government and commercial industries, Alion’s engineered solutions support smarter decision-making and enhanced readiness in rapidly-changing environments. Alion brings expertise and experience to multiple business areas: Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering; Systems Analysis, Design and Engineering; and Modeling, Simulation, Training and Analysis. Building on over 75 years of innovation, Alion turns obstacles into opportunities to help customers achieve their missions. Alion employee-owners are located at offices, customer sites and laboratories worldwide. For more information, visit Alion online at www.alionscience.com.

This press release contains information about management’s view of Alion’s future expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of risk factors and uncertainties discussed in documents periodically filed by Alion with the SEC. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.