THIOKOL CORP /DE/
10-Q, 1996-02-13
GUIDED MISSILES & SPACE VEHICLES & PARTS
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                                  FORM 10-Q

                                UNITED STATES
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                            Washington, D.C. 20549

(Mark One)

[X]  QUARTERLY  REPORT  PURSUANT  TO  SECTION  13 OR 15(d) OF THE  SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended              December 31, 1995
                               ----------------------------------------------
                                      OR

[ ]  TRANSITION  REPORT  PURSUANT  TO SECTION  13 OR 15(d) OF THE  SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                            to
                               --------------------------     ----------------
Commission file number                     1-6179
                       -------------------------------------------------------

                             THIOKOL CORPORATION
     --------------------------------------------------------------------
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

              Delaware                                    36-2678716
- ----------------------------------          ----------------------------------
 (State or other jurisdiction of                      (I.R.S. Employe
  incorporation or organization)                       Identification No.)


                2475 Washington Blvd., Ogden, Utah 84401-2398
       ----------------------------------------------------------------
                   (Address of principal executive offices)
                                  (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area  code..........(801)629-2091
                                                             -------------

Indicate  by check mark  whether  the  registrant  (1) has filed all  reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934  during the  preceding  12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the
registrant  was required to file such  reports),  and (2) has been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days. 
 Yes   X      No
    ------       -----
Indicate the number of shares  outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

           Class                            Outstanding at January 31, 1996
- -----------------------------               -------------------------------
Common Stock, $1.00 par value                        18,169,334

<PAGE>




                             THIOKOL CORPORATION
                        QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q



                                    INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                      Page
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION                                                        ----
- ------------------------------
Item 1.       Financial Statements

                     Consolidated Statements of Operations - Three months ended
<S>                                                  <C> <C>      <C>                    <C>
                       and Six months ended December 31, 1995 and 1994                   3

                     Consolidated Balance Sheets -
                       December 31, 1995 and June 30, 1995                               4

                     Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Six
                       months ended December 31, 1995 and 1994                           5

                     Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                          6


Item 2.       Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                       Condition and Results of Operations                              11


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
- --------------------------

Item 1.       Legal Proceedings                                                         15

Item 5.       Other Information                                                         15

Item 6.       Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                          16


SIGNATURES                                                                              17

</TABLE>













                                                             


<PAGE>




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                       PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION



Item 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
- -----------------------------------------

                             THIOKOL CORPORATION
              CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
                     (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)



                                                                            Three Months Ended    Six Months Ended
                                                                                December 31          December 31
                                                                           -------------------   -------------------
                                                                             1995       1994       1995       1994
                                                                           --------   --------   --------   --------
<S>                                                                        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>     
Net sales ..............................................................   $209,897   $218,637   $432,840   $456,788

Operating expenses:
  Cost of sales ........................................................    175,461    176,322    356,200    368,861
  General and administrative ...........................................     17,461     17,855     34,377     34,802
  Research and development .............................................      3,087      4,031      6,269      6,941
  Restructuring ........................................................      5,906                 5,906
                                                                           --------   --------   --------   --------
                                                                            201,915    198,208    402,752    410,604

Income from operations .................................................      7,982     20,429     30,088     46,184

Interest income ........................................................     29,050        970     29,625      1,538
Interest expense .......................................................        814      2,730      1,515      5,437
                                                                           --------   --------   --------   --------
Income before income taxes .............................................     36,218     18,669     58,198     42,285

Income taxes ...........................................................     13,927      7,375     22,719     16,703
                                                                           --------   --------   --------   --------
Net income .............................................................   $ 22,291   $ 11,294   $ 35,479   $ 25,582
                                                                           ========   ========   ========   ========
Net income per share ...................................................   $   1.20   $    .60   $   1.91   $   1.36
                                                                           ========   ========   ========   ========
Dividends per share ....................................................   $    .17   $    .17   $    .34   $    .34
                                                                           ========   ========   ========   ========
Average number of common and common
  equivalent shares outstanding ........................................     18,550     18,755     18,555     18,841
                                                                           ========   ========   ========   ========
</TABLE>

See notes to consolidated financial statements


                                                              

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                             THIOKOL CORPORATION
                         CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                (IN THOUSANDS)

                                                                                              December 31   June 30
                                                                                                  1995        1995
                                                                                               ---------    ---------
      ASSETS                                                                                  (Unaudited)
      -------                                                                                  
      Current assets
<S>                                                                                            <C>          <C>      
        Cash and cash equivalents ..........................................................   $  10,639    $  13,216
        Receivables ........................................................................     176,342      268,070
        Inventories ........................................................................     113,391      134,984
        Deferred income tax assets .........................................................       6,297
        Prepaid expenses ...................................................................       5,239        4,191
                                                                                               ---------    ---------
          Total current assets .............................................................     311,908      420,461

      Property, plant and equipment, at cost
        less allowances for depreciation ...................................................     291,138      297,551

      Other assets
        Equity investment in Howmet ........................................................     146,000
        Costs in excess of net assets of businesses
          acquired, less amortization ......................................................      28,226       28,748
        Patents and other intangible assets ................................................      17,688       19,004
        Other noncurrent assets ............................................................      34,765       44,921
                                                                                               ---------    ---------
                                                                                               $ 829,725    $ 810,685
                                                                                               =========    =========
      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
      ------------------------------------
      Current liabilities
        Short-term debt ....................................................................   $ 124,311    $  62,819
        Accounts payable ...................................................................      31,621       38,530
        Accrued compensation ...............................................................      37,011       43,424
        Other accrued expenses .............................................................      34,350       52,903
        Current portion of deferred income taxes ...........................................                    5,026
                                                                                               ---------    ---------
          Total current liabilities ........................................................     227,293      202,702

      Long-term debt .......................................................................       2,393        2,521
      Accrued retiree benefits .............................................................      72,878       72,762
      Deferred income taxes ................................................................      23,700       26,763
      Accrued interest and other non-current liabilities ...................................      73,233      102,206

      Stockholders' equity
        Common Stock (par value $1.00 per share)
          Authorized - 200,000 shares
          Issued - 20,455 shares including shares in treasury ..............................      20,538       20,538
        Additional paid-in capital .........................................................      44,290       44,536
        Retained earnings ..................................................................     428,356      399,084
                                                                                               ---------    ---------
                                                                                                 493,184      464,158
        Less cost of common stock in treasury
          2,358 shares, December 31, 1995 and
          2,299 shares, June 30, 1995 ......................................................     (62,956)     (60,427)
                                                                                               ---------    ---------
             Total stockholders' equity ....................................................     430,228      403,731
                                                                                               ---------    ---------
                                                                                               $ 829,725    $ 810,685
                                                                                               =========    =========
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements           



                                                          





<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                             THIOKOL CORPORATION
              CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
                                (IN THOUSANDS)


                                                                                              Six Months Ended
                                                                                                 December 31
                                                                                            ----------------------
                                                                                               1995         1994
                                                                                            ---------    ---------
Operating Activities
- --------------------
<S>                                                                                         <C>          <C>      
Net income ..............................................................................   $  35,479    $  25,582
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
      provided by operating activities:
           Restructuring ................................................................       5,906
           Depreciation and amortization ................................................      17,791       19,240
           Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
              Receivables ...............................................................      84,394       56,200
              Inventories and prepaid expenses ..........................................      18,782       (4,944)
              Accounts payable and accrued expenses .....................................     (33,781)     (22,519)
              Income taxes ..............................................................      (9,124)      (3,516)
              Other .....................................................................     (20,373)      (3,846)
                                                                                            ---------    ---------
                 Net cash provided by operating activities ..............................      99,074       66,197


Investing Activities
- --------------------
Investment in Howmet ....................................................................    (146,000)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment ..............................................     (15,641)     (19,240)
Proceeds from disposal of assets ........................................................       6,033           18
                                                                                            ---------    ---------
                 Net cash used for investing activities .................................    (155,608)     (19,222)


Financing Activities
- --------------------
Net change in short-term debt ...........................................................      63,022        5,098
Repayment of long-term debt .............................................................         (83)         (35)
Dividends paid ..........................................................................      (6,208)      (6,296)
Purchase of common stock for treasury ...................................................      (3,976)      (7,141)
Stock option transactions ...............................................................       1,202        1,244
                                                                                            ---------    ---------
                 Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities ...................      53,957       (7,130)
                                                                                            ---------    ---------
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents ........................................      (2,577)      39,845
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year ..........................................      13,216       40,129
                                                                                            ---------    ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period ..............................................   $  10,639    $  79,974
                                                                                            =========    =========
</TABLE>


See notes to consolidated financial statements


                                                             


<PAGE>



                             THIOKOL CORPORATION
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                (IN THOUSANDS)

Basis of Presentation
- ---------------------

The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared
in accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  for interim
financial  information and with the  instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01
of Regulation S-X. The balance sheet at June 30, 1995, reflects the Company's
audited  consolidated  financial  statements  at that date. In the opinion of
management  all  adjustments   (consisting  of  normal  recurring   accruals)
considered  necessary for a fair presentation  have been included.  Operating
results for the six months  ended  December  31,  1995,  are not  necessarily
indicative  of the results to be expected for the fiscal year ending June 30,
1996.  The  financial  statements  should  be read in  conjunction  with  the
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's
Annual Report to  Stockholders  and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended June 30, 1995.

Restructuring Charges
- ---------------------

As a result of the poor European Aerospace outlook, as well as continuing low
margins  in the  fastening  systems  segment,  during  1996 the  Company  has
undertaken a comprehensive  review of its strategy in Europe.  As a result of
this review,  the Company  identified and recognized a pre-tax  restructuring
charge of $5.9  million in the second  quarter  of 1996  related to  European
fastening systems  operations.  Approximately $2 million of additional period
costs  will be  incurred  over the next 12  months  relating  to the  planned
restructuring. This review is continuing.

The Company  recorded a $61.4 million pre-tax  defense systems  restructuring
charge in the third quarter of 1995 in response to declining  defense systems
revenues and excess manufacturing  capacity. The charge included a write down
of long- lived assets,  an estimated loss on the  disposition of fixed assets
from two manufacturing facilities which will close in 1996, and a cash charge
for costs related to the facility  closures  including  employee  termination
costs.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

A summary of restructuring reserve activity by program follows:

                                                       U.S.
                                                      Plants      European
                                                     Shutdown    Operations    Total
                                                     --------    ----------   --------
<S>                      <C> <C>                     <C>                      <C>     
Reserve balance at March 31, 1995 ................   $ 17,780                 $ 17,780
Reductions .......................................       (555)                    (555)
Payments made ....................................       (284)                    (284)
                                                     --------                 --------
Balance at June 30, 1995 .........................     16,941                   16,941
Reductions .......................................       (613)                    (613)
Fastening Systems restructuring ..................               $  5,906        5,906
Payments made ....................................       (627)                    (627)
                                                     --------    --------     -------- 
Balance at December 31, 1995 .....................   $ 15,701    $  5,906     $ 21,607
                                                     ========    ========     ========

                                                            
</TABLE>


<PAGE>


 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                THIOKOL CORPORATION
                                    NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                                  (IN THOUSANDS)


Receivables
- -----------

The components of receivables are as follows:
                                                                                Dec 31             June 30
                                                                                 1995              1995
Receivables under U.S. Government contracts                                     --------          --------
<S>                                                                             <C>               <C>     
  and subcontracts...........................................................   $117,752          $128,409
Income tax receivable........................................................      5,731            85,351
Accounts receivable..........................................................     49,278            50,517
Other current receivables....................................................      3,581             3,793
                                                                                --------          --------
                                                                                $176,342          $268,070
                                                                                ========          ========
</TABLE>

Receivables  under U.S.  Government  (government)  contracts and subcontracts
include  unbilled  costs and accrued  profits  which consist  principally  of
revenues  recognized on contracts for which billings have not been presented.
Such  amounts  are  billed  on the  basis  of  contract  terms  and  delivery
schedules.

Cost and incentive-type  contracts and subcontracts are subject to Government
audit and review. It is anticipated that adjustments, if any, will not have a
material  effect  on  the  Company's   results  of  operations  or  financial
condition.

Cost  management  award fees of $44.4  million  have been  recognized  on the
current  Space  Shuttle   Reusable   Solid  Rocket  Motor  (RSRM)   contract.
Realization  of  such  fees  is  reasonably   assured  based  on  actual  and
anticipated  contract cost performance.  However,  all of the cost management
award fees remain at risk until  completion of the current contract and final
NASA  review.  The current  RSRM  contract is  expected to be  completed  not
earlier  than  fiscal  year 2000.  Unanticipated  problems  which  erode cost
management  performance  could cause a reversal of some or all of the amounts
previously  recognized and would be offset against NASA receivable amounts or
be directly reimbursed.


Inventories
- -----------

Inventories  are stated at the lower of cost or  market.  Space  systems  and
defense systems inventories  represent estimated recoverable costs related to
long-term  fixed price  contracts  and include  direct  production  costs and
allocable  indirect  costs,  less  related  progress  payments  received.  In
accordance with industry  practice,  such costs include amounts which are not
expected  to be realized  within one year.  Under the  provisions  of certain
contracts,  the U.S. Government acquires title to, or a security interest in,
certain  inventories  as a result of progress  payments made on contracts and
programs. Inventories for the fastening systems segment are determined by the
first in, first out (FIFO) method.




                                                              


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>




                             THIOKOL CORPORATION
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                (IN THOUSANDS)



Inventories are summarized as follows:

                                                                             Dec 31      June 30
                                                                              1995       1995
                                                                          ---------    ---------
<S>                                                                       <C>          <C>      
Finished goods ........................................................   $  54,763    $  61,461
Raw materials and work-in-progress ....................................      46,958       52,893
Inventoried costs related to U.S. .....................................
  Government and other long-term contracts ............................      14,183       27,768
Progress payments received on
  long-term contracts .................................................      (2,513)      (7,138)
                                                                          ---------    ---------
                                                                          $ 113,391    $ 134,984
                                                                          =========    =========
</TABLE>

Equity Investment in Howmet
- ---------------------------

During the  quarter the Company  and the  Carlyle  Group  (Carlyle)  formed a
jointly owned company, Blade Acquisition Corp. (Blade), in which Carlyle owns
a controlling  interest  (51%) and Thiokol owns a minority  interest (49%) of
the voting common stock.  The Company invested $98 million for its 49 percent
of voting  common  stock and $50 million  for 100 percent of 9%  paid-in-kind
non-voting  preferred stock. The Company accounts for its 49 percent minority
investment in Blade using the equity method.

On December 13, 1995,  Blade completed the acquisition of Howmet  Corporation
for $750  million  plus an  additional  $27.1  million  of  related  fees and
expenses.  Howmet is the world's largest  manufacturer of investment  casting
components for aircraft and industrial gas turbine  engines.  The acquisition
includes the Cercast Group, a major producer of  high-quality  aluminum alloy
investment  castings.  Blade, Howmet, and Cercast operations are collectively
referred  to in the  financial  statements  as Howmet.  The  acquisition  was
accounted for by the purchase method.  The acquisition was financed by Howmet
and included  $475.7 million of debt, a $250 million equity  investment  from
Blade, and a $51.4 million  receivable  facility.  The debt is nonrecourse to
Blade and its shareholders  Thiokol and Carlyle. The Company has a three year
option to acquire the Carlyle Group equity beginning after December 13, 1998.

The Company's $148 million  investment was reduced by $2 million  transaction
fee paid by Howmet to the Company for services  provided in  connection  with
the acquisition.

Quarterly operating results for Howmet for the period December 14 to December
31, 1995 were immaterial and not included in the Company's second quarter net
income.




                                                            

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                             THIOKOL CORPORATION
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                (IN THOUSANDS)


A summary of financial  information  for Howmet at December  31, 1995,  is as
follows:

<S>                            <C>       
Current assets .............   $  296,100
Noncurrent assets ..........      801,100
                               ----------
Total assets ...............   $1,097,200
                               ==========

Current liabilities ........   $  230,100
Noncurrent liabilities .....      620,000
                               ----------
Total liabilities ..........      850,100
Preferred stock.............       50,000
Common stockholder's 
  equity ...................      197,100
                               ----------
Total liabilities and equity   $1,097,200
                               ==========
</TABLE>

The unaudited consolidated pro forma results of operations for the six months
ended December 31, 1995 and 1994, assuming the formation of Blade and Blade's
acquisition of Howmet as of July 1, 1994, are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                Six Months Ended
                                  December 31
                               -----------------
                                 1995      1994
                               -------    ------
<S>                            <C>        <C>   
Net income .................   $33,696    $9,246
Net income per share .......   $  1.82    $  .49
</TABLE>

The unaudited pro forma financial  information is not necessarily  indicative
of the results that would have occurred had the  acquisition  of Howmet taken
place for the period presented nor of future results of operations.


Operations by Industry Segment
- ------------------------------

The Company  and its  subsidiaries  design,  develop,  manufacture,  and sell
products classified in three principal industry segments.

The space systems segment  consists of solid rocket  propulsion for NASA, the
Department   of  Defense  and   various   commercial   customers   for  space
applications.

The  defense  systems  segment  consists  of  solid  rocket  propulsion,  gas
generator and ordnance products, metal and composite components, and services
to such  systems,  principally  under  contracts  and  subcontracts  with the
Department of Defense and aerospace prime  contractors,  for use primarily in
defense applications.

The fastening  systems segment consists of specialty  fastening systems for a
broad range of aerospace and industrial applications worldwide.


                                                             


<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                             THIOKOL CORPORATION
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                (IN THOUSANDS)




                                                         Three Months Ended         Six Months Ended
                                                            December 31                December 31
                                                       ----------------------    ----------------------
                                                          1995         1994         1995         1994
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Net sales
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>      
  Space Systems ....................................   $  92,638    $ 109,798    $ 198,768    $ 222,452
  Defense Systems ..................................      60,811       55,323      120,847      131,230
  Fastening Systems ................................      56,448       53,516      113,225      103,106
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Consolidated net sales .............................   $ 209,897    $ 218,637    $ 432,840    $ 456,788
                                                       =========    =========    =========    =========

Net profit (loss)
  Space Systems ....................................   $  12,447    $  12,767    $  27,090    $  26,037
  Defense Systems ..................................       7,461        4,828       12,528       14,118
  Fastening Systems ................................     (10,304)       4,185       (6,288)       8,730
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
    Segment operating profit .......................       9,604       21,780       33,330       48,885
  Interest income ..................................      29,050          970       29,625        1,538
  Interest expense .................................        (814)      (2,730)      (1,515)      (5,437)
  Unallocated corporate expense ....................      (1,622)      (1,351)      (3,242)      (2,701)
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Consolidated income before income taxes ............   $  36,218    $  18,669    $  58,198    $  42,285
                                                       =========    =========    =========    =========
</TABLE>


























                                                       


<PAGE>



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND 
         RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Results of Operations
- ---------------------

Net income for the second  quarter ended December 31, 1995, was $22.3 million
or $1.20 per share, a 97 percent  increase  compared to $11.3 million or $.60
per share last year. Net income for the quarter included recognition of $27.5
million of pre-tax  interest  income related to federal income taxes and $3.5
million of research  and other tax credits or $1.11 per share after tax,  and
$13.1 million pre-tax or $.62 per share after tax fastening  systems charges.
Sales for the second quarter of $209.9 million  decreased 4 percent  compared
to $218.6 million last year.

The  non-cash  recognition  of  the  tax  related  items  resulted  from  the
substantial  completion of Internal  Revenue  Service audits for fiscal years
through 1993.  The $13.1 million  fastening  systems  charge  included a $7.2
million  write off of aerospace  inventory  and a $5.9 million  restructuring
charge  related to European  operations.  Excluding the interest  income from
income taxes, the research credit,  and the fastening systems charge,  second
quarter  net income  would have been  $13.1  million or $.71 per share,  a 16
percent  increase  over the prior year.  The  increase in income,  before the
additional interest income and fastening systems charge, resulted from higher
cost management incentive fees recognized on the Space Shuttle Reusable Solid
Rocket Motor (RSRM)  program,  higher defense systems  operating  margins and
lower interest  expense.  The quarter was  negatively  impacted by lower RSRM
sales,  Castor  IV  program   requalification   costs,  lower  Trident  motor
production, lower operating margins at the government owned, company operated
ammunition  plants  (GOCO'S),  and lower fastening  systems income before the
current charge to operations.

The 4 percent decline in sales for the quarter  reflected lower RSRM sales, a
lower rate of Trident missile  production,  fewer Standard Missile and Castor
IV deliveries and lower operating levels at the GOCO'S.  Partially offsetting
the  decrease  was  a  significant  increase  in  deliveries  of  flares  and
Sidewinder motors, increased  demilitarization activity, and higher fastening
systems sales.

Net income for the six months ended  December 31, 1995,  was $35.5 million or
$1.91 per share; a 39 percent increase compared to $25.6 million or $1.36 per
share last year.  Excluding  the  interest  income  from  income  taxes,  the
research  credit,  and the fastening  systems charge,  net income for the six
months would have been $26.3 million or $1.42 per share, a 3 percent increase
over the  prior  year.  Sales of  $432.8  million  for the six  month  period
decreased 5 percent from $456.8 million last year.

The Internal Revenue Service has  substantially  completed its examination of
federal  income tax returns for fiscal  years 1986 through  1993.  Based upon
anticipated   final  audit  results  and  considering  that  the  Company  is
essentially current in its federal income tax audits,  interest accruals were
decreased  resulting in the recognition of $27.5 million of interest  income.
Also as a result of substantial  audit  completion,  $3.5 million of research
and other tax credits were recognized in the quarter.

Space systems sales for the quarter of $92.6 million  decreased 16 percent or
$17.2  million  compared to 1995,  while  related  operating  income of $12.4
million declined 3 percent.  The sales decrease was due to a reduction in the
RSRM  production  rate from 8 to 7  flights  per  year,  continued  RSRM cost
reductions,  completion  during  the  first  quarter  of the RSRM  processing
contract at the Kennedy  Space Center and a decline in Castor IV  deliveries.
Income for the quarter was favorably impacted by continuing

                                                         


<PAGE>




effective  cost  management  performance  on the RSRM program and resulted in
$2.2 million of additional  cost  management  incentive fee (CMF)  recognized
over last year.  Approximately $1.9 million of the $2.2 million of additional
CMF  recognized  over last year related to fee earned on prior years'  costs.
The  higher  CMF was  offset by lower  space  systems  sales  and  previously
announced  Castor  IV  requalification  costs  of $.7  million.  The  Company
continuously  evaluates  actual  and  forecasted  RSRM cost  performance  and
anticipates further CMF increases during fiscal year 1996.

Defense  systems  sales  increased 10 percent to $60.8  million and operating
income of $7.4 million  increased  55 percent from $4.8 million in 1995.  The
rise in sales  resulted from a significant  increase in flare and  Sidewinder
deliveries and a rise in demilitarization activity.  Partially offsetting the
increase  were a lower rate of Trident  missile  production,  fewer  Standard
Missile and Hellfire motor  deliveries and lower GOCO sales.  The increase in
income resulted from a $2 million gain on the  liquidation  sale of equipment
from  Omneco  Inc.,  a wholly  owned  subsidiary,  a $1.7  million  favorable
resolution  of  a  government   accounting  issue,  higher  Standard  Missile
operating margins as the program nears completion ($1.6 million),  and higher
flare  sales.  Income  was  negatively  impacted  by  lower  Trident  missile
production,  lower GOCO operating  margins,  and previously  announced  costs
related to the close down of the Huntsville, Alabama facility.

As a result of the poor European Aerospace outlook, as well as continuing low
margins in the  fastening  systems  segment,  the  Company has  undertaken  a
comprehensive review of operating processes, inventory controls and policies,
and its  strategy  in  Europe.  As a  result  of  this  review,  the  Company
identified   restructuring  charges  of  $5.9  million  related  to  European
operations and $7.2 million of inventory write-offs. Approximately $2 million
of additional  period costs will be incurred over the next 12 months relating
to the planned restructuring. This review is continuing.

Before charges,  fastening  systems sales for the quarter were $56.5 million,
an increase of 5% from $53.5 million in 1995.  Income of $2.8 million (before
the $13.1 million  restructuring and inventory write off charge) decreased 32
percent.  Excluding  the charge,  operating  margins for the quarter  were 5%
compared  to 7.8%  last  year.  Including  the  charge of $13.1  million  the
fastening systems loss for the quarter was $10.3 million.  The sales increase
included sales of $3.7 million from a small  acquisition in the third quarter
of fiscal year 1995 and higher  domestic  aerospace  sales.  The  decrease in
income  resulted  primarily  from a decline  in  domestic  industrial  sales,
continued high production  costs at the Lakewood,  California  facility and a
loss from foreign operations.

Richard L. Corbin,  Senior Vice President and Chief  Financial  Officer,  has
been  appointed  acting  president  of  Huck  International,   the  Company's
Fastening Systems business segment, following the January 8, 1996 resignation
of H. George  Faulkner.  Mr.  Corbin will act as president  until a permanent
replacement is named.

General  and  administrative  expenses  for  the  quarter  of  $17.5  million
decreased 2 percent  compared to the prior year. The $1.9 million decrease in
interest expense resulted from the reduction in long-term debt.

The Company recorded a $61.4 million pre-tax  restructuring charge in 1995 in
response to  declining  defense  systems  revenues  and excess  manufacturing
capacity. The charge included a write down of long-lived assets, an estimated
loss on the  disposition  of fixed assets from two  manufacturing  facilities
which will close in 1996, and a cash

                                                        


<PAGE>



charge  for  costs  related  to  the  facility  closures  including  employee
termination costs.

During the quarter,  sales and profit derived from production of and services
for the RSRM accounted for approximately 44 percent of consolidated net sales
and 59 percent of  consolidated  operating  income  before the $13.1  million
fastening  systems  charge.  The  current  contract  with  NASA  extends  the
Company's  production of the Space Shuttle solid rocket motors through fiscal
year  2000.  Current  long-term  NASA  planning  includes  a  follow-on  RSRM
contract.  Last year NASA reduced the RSRM production flight rate from 8 to 7
per year. The impact on future  revenues from the annual launch rate decrease
will be minimal.  The Company's  contract to perform RSRM  processing work at
the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) was not renewed and was  completed  during the
first quarter.  Revenues and profits projected to be lost from the processing
contract at KSC in 1996 are $21.7 and $1.6 million, respectively. In addition
to the  reduced  launch  rate and  termination  of the KSC  contract,  NASA's
continued  emphasis on cost  containment to control its budget  combined with
the Company's  emphasis on cost reductions  should produce a decrease in RSRM
sales in fiscal year 1996. However,  contract incentives to reduce costs over
the life of the contract should result in higher incentive fees in the future
based on actual and anticipated contract cost performance. As a result of the
1995 restructuring,  space systems income will be negatively impacted in 1996
by approximately $3 million of operating costs to transfer equipment from the
Huntsville,  Alabama  plant and to  requalify  the  Castor IV  program at the
Company's Northern Utah facility.  During the first six months,  $1.1 million
of Castor IV requalification costs were incurred.

Due to the United States  Congress'  failure to pass a federal budget and the
related shutdowns, the Company has not received payments on certain contracts
amounting  to $15  million at December  31,  1995.  The  slowdown in payments
should not affect the Company's profits.  However,  should the budget impasse
continue,  the impact to NASA and Thiokol's  Space Shuttle  Contract could be
significant and affect the Company's sales and profits.

Due to reductions in government  defense  spending,  the Company  expects its
defense  systems  sales and income to decline in fiscal  years 1996 and 1997.
Trident  sales and profits will  decrease from 1995 levels due to a reduction
in missile  production.  Standard Missile,  Patriot,  Sidewinder and Hellfire
motor  production  will be  substantially  completed  during 1996.  Decreased
defense  spending has created a highly  competitive  pricing  environment for
tactical  programs and has significantly  reduced new program  opportunities.
The propulsion  industry continues to be characterized by overcapacity.  As a
result of the 1995 restructuring, defense systems will be negatively impacted
in 1996 by  approximately $5 million of costs to close down operations at the
Huntsville, Alabama manufacturing facility. During the first six months, $2.6
million of close down costs were incurred.

All U.S. Army directed  production at the GOCO's was completed in 1995.  Both
of the GOCO plants are being  maintained under a facilities  contract.  Sales
and profits from the GOCO plants will decline significantly in 1996.

The  Company  has  submitted  a  claim  to the  government  for  recovery  of
approximately $38 million of projected post retirement  medical,  disability,
and workers  compensation  benefit costs  resulting  from the Company's  past
performance of various contracts to operate the GOCO's.

Fastening  systems sales are anticipated to increase slightly over 1995 while
income  excluding the $13.1 million charge is anticipated to decrease.  Sales
and income from

                                                        


<PAGE>




domestic  industrial   fasteners  (excluding  the  acquisition  of  Automatic
Fastener  Corporation) which achieved record levels in 1995, decreased 14 and
25 percent  respectively,  for the first six months when compared to 1995 and
are projected to continue declining through year end due to a slowdown in the
transportation  markets.  Domestic  aerospace fastener revenues and operating
margins  (excluding  the  Lakewood,   California  facility)  should  increase
significantly  over 1995 as commercial  aircraft build rates  stabilize after
several years of  decreases.  Losses at the  Lakewood,  California  aerospace
facility,  which was  purchased  in 1994,  have  resulted  from  higher  than
anticipated production costs due to recent stringent customer interpretations
of its  long-existing  specifications  and to  the  associated  manufacturing
inefficiencies. Additional losses at the Lakewood facility are anticipated to
continue into the fourth quarter of fiscal year 1996. International operating
margins have been  negatively  impacted by an increase in low margin  product
sales and new product marketing costs.

During the  quarter the Company  and the  Carlyle  Group  (Carlyle)  formed a
jointly owned company, Blade Acquisition Corp. (Blade), in which Carlyle owns
a controlling  interest  (51%) and Thiokol owns a minority  interest (49%) of
the voting common stock.  The Company invested $98 million for its 49 percent
of voting  common  stock and $50 million  for 100 percent of 9%  paid-in-kind
non-voting  preferred stock. The Company accounts for its 49 percent minority
investment in Blade using the equity method.

On December 13, 1995,  Blade completed the acquisition of Howmet  Corporation
for $750  million  plus an  additional  $27.1  million  of  related  fees and
expenses.  Howmet is the world's largest  manufacturer of investment  casting
components for aircraft and industrial gas turbine  engines.  The acquisition
includes the Cercast Group, a major producer of  high-quality  aluminum alloy
investment  castings.  Blade,  Howmet and Cercast operations are collectively
referred  to in the  financial  statements  as Howmet.  The  acquisition  was
accounted for by the purchase method.  The acquisition was financed by Howmet
and included  $475.7 million of debt, a $250 million equity  investment  from
Blade, and a $51.4 million  receivable  facility.  The debt is nonrecourse to
Blade and its shareholders Thiokol and Carlyle.

Quarterly operating results for Howmet for the period December 14 to December
31, 1995 were immaterial and not included in the Company's second quarter net
income.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
- -------------------------------

Net cash flow from operations for the six months ended December 31, 1995, was
$99.1  million  compared to $66.2 million in fiscal year 1995. The cash flow
increase resulted  principally from a larger reduction in receivables in 1996
compared  to last year  ($28.2  million)  and an $18.8  million  decrease  in
inventories  compared to a $4.9  million  increase in 1995.  The  significant
decrease in receivables in 1996 resulted from the collection of $79.6 million
of income tax refunds.  Neither the $27.5 million of interest  income related
to income taxes nor the $13.1 million  fastening systems charge affected cash
flow.

Investing  activities  in 1996  consisted of the $146 million  investment  in
Howmet and  purchases  of  property,  plant  and  equipment  of $15.6  million
compared to $19.2 million in 1995.  During the quarter the Company  completed
the purchase of Air Force Plant 78 in Northern Utah from the  government  for
$6.5  million.  Capital  expenditures  excluding  the  purchase  of  Plant 78
decreased  significantly  in 1996  compared to 1995  primarily as a result of
capital  spending  last  year at the  Yellow  Creek  nozzle  facility  versus
reimbursements  recognized  this year for prior year's  Yellow Creek  capital
expenditures.

                                                        


<PAGE>




Due to budget  considerations,  NASA  terminated  construction  of the Yellow
Creek  facility  during the fourth  quarter of last year.  Fastening  systems
capital expenditures also declined in 1996.

Cash flow provided by financing  activities of $54 million compares to a $7.1
million  use of  cash  flow  last  year.  Cash  flow  provided  by  financing
activities  in 1996  resulted  from an increase in  short-term  borrowing  of
approximately   $55  million  to  finance  the   investment   in  Howmet  and
approximately  $15  million  to  finance  the  delay in  payment  of  certain
government  contract billings due to the shutdown of nonessential  government
operations  during the quarter.  Repurchases of common stock in 1996 total $4
million  or  114,600  shares.   Under  the  current  1.5  million  repurchase
authorization  approximately  635,000  shares  remain  to be  repurchased  as
considered appropriate by the Company.

Thiokol's  current  ratio at December 31, 1995 of 1.4  decreased  from 2.1 at
June 30, 1995,  and working  capital at December 31, 1995,  of $84.6  million
decreased  $133.1  million  since June 30,  1995.  The decline in the current
ratio and working capital  resulted  primarily from the cash consumed and the
increase in short-term  borrowing to finance the $146 million net  investment
in Howmet.  The Company's debt to equity ratio at December 31, 1995, was 29.5
percent compared to 16.2 percent at June 30, 1995.

The Company has current outstanding  authorizations for capital  expenditures
of approximately $40 million.

Future estimated cash flow from operations,  current financial  resources and
available credit facilities are expected to be adequate to fund the Company's
anticipated  working capital  requirements,  capital  expenditures,  dividend
payments,  and stock repurchase program for the current fiscal year. However,
if the previously  discussed  federal budget  impasse  continues,  the impact
would  be  significant  to  the  Company's  future  cash  flow.  The  Company
anticipates  filing a shelf  registration  statement  with the Securities and
Exchange  Commission  for  the  possible  issuance  of  debt  securities  for
long-term financing as considered  appropriate.  As of December 31, 1995, the
Company had available  revolving  credit  facilities of $140 million of which
$82 million remained unused.


                         PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Subsequent  to the end of the  quarter,  in a lawsuit  brought  by  McDonnell
Douglas  Corporation  (MDC)  against  Thiokol in the United  States  District
Court,  Central District of California,  to recover certain costs incurred by
MDC ($17  million,  plus  interest),  the Court ruled in favor of Thiokol and
determined that these costs were not the responsibility of the Company.

Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION

On January  22,  1996,  subsequent  to the end of the  quarter,  the board of
directors of the Company was increased to ten members with the appointment of
Admiral William O. Studeman, U.S. Navy retired, and former Deputy Director of
Central Intelligence.


                                                        


<PAGE>





The Annual Meeting of Thiokol Corporation  Stockholders will be held at 10:00
a.m.  local time on October  24, 1996 at the  Ballroom of the Little  America
Hotel,  500 South Main Street,  Salt Lake City. Any stockholder who wishes to
bring business  before the 1996 Annual Meeting must provide written notice to
be received by the Company on or before February 24, 1996.


Item 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a) The following  exhibits  required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K are filed
    as part of this report.

Index to Exhibits
- -----------------

Exhibit
Number            Description
- -------           -----------------------------------------------------------

(10)              Material Contracts

                  (a)      Stock Purchase Agreement by and among Thiokol Holding
                           Company Carlyle-Blade Acquisition Partners L.P. and
                           Blade Acquisition Corp. dated as of December 31, 
                           1995.

                  (b)      Shareholders Agreement by and among Thiokol Holding
                           Company Carlyle-Blade Acquisition Partners, L.P. and
                           Blade Acquisition Corp.dated as of December 13, 1995.

                  (c)      Registration Rights Agreement by and between Blade
                           Acquisition Corp., Thiokol Holding Company and
                           Carlyle-Blade Acquisition Partners, L.P. dated as of
                           December 13, 1995.

                  (d)      Holding Management Agreement by and between Howmet
                           Corporation and Thiokol Holding Company dated as of
                           December 13, 1995.

                  (e)      Thiokol Transaction Fee Agreement by and between
                           Howmet Holdings Acquisition Corp. and Thiokol
                           Corporation dated as of December 13, 1995.

                  (f)      Amended  Certificate of Designations,  Preferences
                           and  Relative,  Participating,  Optional and Other
                           Special    Rights   of    Preferred    stock   and
                           Qualifications,   Limitations   and   Restrictions
                           thereof  of  9.0%   Series  A  Senior   Cumulative
                           Preferred Stock of Blade Acquisition Corp.

                  (g)      Standstill Agreement by and among Thiokol Holding
                           Company, Thiokol Corporation, Carlyle-Blade
                           Acquisition Partners, L.P. et al. dates as of
                           December 13, 1995.

                  (h)      Collateral Custodial Agreement by and among
                           Carlyle-Blade Acquisition Partners, L.P., Thiokol
                           Holding Company and the First National Bank of
                           Chicago.



                                                        


<PAGE>

(b)      The Company filed three 8-K reports during the quarter ended December
         31, 1995.  The items reported on two of the 8-K reports were related
         to item 5 - Other Events; no financial statements were filed therewith.
         The information reported on the 8-K filed on December 21, 1995,
         related to item 2 - Acquisition or Deposition of Assets; no financial
         statements were filed therewith.  All of the 8-K reports were related
         to the Company's minority investment in Blade Acquisition Corp. and the
         acquisition of Howmet by Blade.

Subsequent  to quarter end, a Form 8-KA report was filed on February 8, 1996,
as an amendment to the 8-K filed on December 21, 1995;  financial  statements
were filed therewith.


                                  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.


                             THIOKOL CORPORATION
                             -------------------
                                 (Registrant)




Date:  February 12, 1996           /s/ Richard L. Corbin
       ----------------           -------------------------
                                  Richard L. Corbin, Senior
                                  Vice President and Chief
                                  Financial Officer



                                  /s/ Michael R. Ayers
                                  --------------------------------
                                  Michael R. Ayers, Vice President
                                  and Controller




                                    

                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                  By and Among

                             THIOKOL HOLDING COMPANY

                    CARLYLE-BLADE ACQUISITION PARTNERS, L.P.

                                       and

                             BLADE ACQUISITION CORP.

                          Dated as of December 13, 1995



<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                -----------------

<S>         <C>                                                          <C>
                                                                         Page
                                                                         ----

ARTICLE 1   PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES...................................  1

  1.1       Stock Purchase................................................  1
  1.2       Closing.......................................................  2
  1.3       Closing Date..................................................  2
  1.4       Further Assurances............................................  2
  1.5       Restrictions on Transfer......................................  2

ARTICLE 2   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.................  3

  2.1       Organization, Standing and Authority..........................  4
  2.2       Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.......................  4
  2.3       Execution and Delivery........................................  4
  2.4       No Conflict...................................................  4
  2.5       Capitalization................................................  4
  2.6       Title to Shares...............................................  5
  2.7       Litigation....................................................  5
  2.8       Consents and Approvals.  .....................................  5
  2.9       Brokerage.....................................................  5
  2.10      Securities Laws...............................................  5

ARTICLE 3   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF CARLYLE.....................  6

  3.1       Organization, Standing and Authority..........................  6
  3.2       Execution and Delivery........................................  6
  3.3       No Conflict...................................................  6
  3.4       Litigation....................................................  6
  3.5       Consents and Approvals........................................  7
  3.6       Investment Intent.............................................  7
  3.7       Brokerage.....................................................  7

ARTICLE 4   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF HOLDING.....................  7

  4.1       Organization, Standing and Authority of Holding...............  7
  4.2       Execution and Delivery........................................  7
  4.3       No Conflict...................................................  7
  4.4       Litigation....................................................  8
  4.5       Consents and Approvals........................................  8
  4.6       Investment Intent.............................................  8
  4.7       Brokerage.....................................................  8

                                      i

<PAGE>


                                                                         Page
                                                                         ----


ARTICLE 5   COVENANTS.....................................................  9

  5.1       Expenses......................................................  9
  5.2       Related Documents.............................................  9
  5.3       Preferred Stock...............................................  9
  5.4       Stock Ownership...............................................  9

ARTICLE 6   CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF HOLDING...................... 10

  6.1       Corporate Action.............................................. 10
  6.2       Representations and Covenants................................. 10
  6.3       Litigation.................................................... 10
  6.4       Absence of Adverse Governmental Action........................ 10
  6.5       Consents and Approvals........................................ 10
  6.6       Acquisition Closing........................................... 10
  6.7       Related Documents............................................. 10
  6.8       Preferred Stock Certificate of Designations................... 11
  6.9       Issuance of Shares............................................ 11
  6.10      Opinion of Counsel............................................ 11
  6.11      Letter of Credit.............................................. 11

ARTICLE 7   CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF CARLYLE...................... 11

  7.1       Corporate Action.............................................. 11
  7.2       Representations and Covenants................................. 11
  7.3       Litigation.................................................... 11
  7.4       Absence of Adverse Governmental Action........................ 11
  7.5       Consents and Approvals........................................ 12
  7.6       Acquisition Closing........................................... 12
  7.7       Related Documents............................................. 12
  7.8       Issuance of Shares............................................ 12
  7.9       Opinion of R. Robert Harris................................... 12
  7.10      Opinion of Counsel............................................ 12
  7.11      Letter of Credit.............................................. 12

ARTICLE 8   CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY.................. 12

  8.1       Representations and Covenants................................. 12
  8.2       Litigation.................................................... 13
  8.3       Absence of Adverse Governmental Action........................ 13
  8.4       Consents and Approvals........................................ 13
  8.5       Acquisition Closing........................................... 13

ARTICLE 9   INDEMNIFICATION............................................... 13

  9.1       Obligation to Indemnify....................................... 13
  9.2       Notice of Asserted Liability.................................. 13

                                       ii

<PAGE>


                                                                         Page
                                                                         ----

  9.3       Opportunity to Defend......................................... 14
  9.4       Injunctive Relief............................................. 14

ARTICLE 10  MISCELLANEOUS................................................. 14

  10.1      Notices....................................................... 14
  10.2      Entire Agreement.............................................. 16
  10.3      Waivers and Amendments; Non-Contractual Remedies;
            Preservation of Remedies...................................... 16
  10.4      Governing Law................................................. 16
  10.5      Arbitration of Disputes....................................... 16
  10.6      Binding Effect; No Assignment................................. 17
  10.7      Counterparts.................................................. 17
  10.8      Schedules and Exhibits........................................ 17
  10.9      Headings...................................................... 17
  10.10     Publicity..................................................... 17
  10.11     Severability.................................................. 17
  10.12     Time of Essence............................................... 17
  10.13     Attorneys' Fees............................................... 17
  10.14     Confidentiality............................................... 18
  10.15     Definitions................................................... 18
</TABLE>

                                     iii

<PAGE>





                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
                            ------------------------


     This STOCK PURCHASE  AGREEMENT  ("Agreement"),  dated as of December 13,
1995,  is  entered  into by and among  BLADE  ACQUISITION  CORP.,  a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"),  THIOKOL HOLDING COMPANY, a Delaware corporation
("Holding"), and CARLYLE-BLADE ACQUISITION PARTNERS, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership  ("Carlyle")  (individually,  a  "Party"  and  collectively,  the
"Parties").


                                    RECITALS
                                    --------


     A.  WHEREAS,  the Company has entered  into a Stock  Purchase  Agreement
dated October 12, 1995 (the "Acquisition Agreement") with Pechiney,  Pechiney
International  S.A. and Howmet  Cercast  S.A.,  pursuant to which the Company
will acquire the Howmet  Cercast Group (the  "Acquisition")  (the meanings of
certain capitalized terms used herein are set forth in Exhibit A hereto).

     B. WHEREAS,  in order to effectuate the Acquisition,  Holding desires to
contribute  capital to the Company in exchange for the issuance to Holding of
4,900  shares of Common  Stock,  which will  represent  49% of the issued and
outstanding  Common  Stock at Closing  and the  issuance  to Holding of 5,000
shares of  Preferred  Stock,  which  will  represent  100% of the  issued and
outstanding Preferred Stock at Closing.

     C. WHEREAS,  in order to effectuate the Acquisition,  Carlyle desires to
contribute  capital to the Company in exchange for the issuance to Carlyle of
5,100  shares of Common  Stock,  which will  represent  51% of the issued and
outstanding Common Stock at Closing.


                                    AGREEMENT
                                    ---------

     NOW THEREFORE,  in consideration  of the premises and mutual  agreements
set forth in this Agreement,  and subject to the terms and conditions  stated
herein, the Parties hereby agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE 1

                           PURCHASE AND SALE OF SHARES

     1.1 Stock  Purchase.  Subject to the terms and  conditions  contained in
this Agreement:

          (a) The Company  agrees to issue and sell,  and  Holding  agrees to
purchase, 4,900 shares (the "Holding Common Shares") of previously authorized
but
                                      1

<PAGE>



unissued  Common Stock at $20,000 per share for a total price of  $98,000,000
(the "Holding Common Stock Purchase Price"); and

          (b) The Company  agrees to issue and sell,  and  Carlyle  agrees to
purchase, 5,100 shares (the "Carlyle Common Shares") of previously authorized
but  unissued  Common  Stock  at  $20,000  per  share  for a total  price  of
$102,000,000 (the "Carlyle Common Stock Purchase Price"); and 

          (c) The Company  agrees to issue and sell,  and  Holding  agrees to
purchase,  5,000 shares of previously authorized but unissued Preferred Stock
(the  "Holding  Preferred  Shares") at $10,000 per share for a total price of
$50,000,000 (the "Holding Preferred Stock Purchase Price").

     1.2 Closing. At the Closing:

          (a) Holding shall pay the Company  $98,000,000  and  $50,000,000 in
Immediately  Available  Funds for the Holding  Common  Shares and the Holding
Preferred Shares, respectively. Carlyle shall pay the Company $102,000,000 in
Immediately  Available Funds for the Carlyle Common Shares. The Company shall
deliver  directly to The First National Bank of Chicago,  as Collateral Agent
under the Collateral  Custodial  Agreement,  the certificates  evidencing the
Shares purchased by Carlyle and Holding.

          (b) The form and  substance of all  certificates,  instruments  and
other  documents  delivered  at the  Closing  shall  be  satisfactory  in all
reasonable respects to Holding, Carlyle and the Company,  consistent with the
provisions of this Agreement.

     1.3 Closing  Date.  The Closing shall occur  contemporaneously  with the
closing of the  transactions  contemplated in the Acquisition  Agreement (the
"Acquisition  Agreement  Closing")  or such  earlier  date as may be mutually
agreed to in writing by the Parties (the "Closing  Date").  The Closing shall
take  place at the  place  designated  for the  closing  of the  transactions
pursuant to the Acquisition  Agreement or such other place as may be mutually
agreed to in writing by the Parties.

     1.4 Further Assurances. Each of the Parties shall execute such documents
and other papers and take such further actions as may be reasonably  required
or  desirable  to  carry  out  the  provisions  of  this  Agreement  and  the
transactions  contemplated  hereby.  Each Party shall use its best efforts to
fulfill  or obtain  the  fulfillment  of the  conditions  to the  Closing  as
promptly as practicable.

     1.5 Restrictions on Transfer

          (a) Holding and Carlyle  understand  and agree that the Shares they
will be acquiring have not been registered under the Securities Act, and that
accordingly  the Shares will not be  transferable  except as permitted  under
various  exemptions  contained in the Securities Act, or upon satisfaction of
the registration and prospectus delivery  requirements of the Securities Act.
Holding and Carlyle further understand and agree that the Shares they will be
acquiring  are  subject to  certain  transfer  restrictions  set forth in the
Shareholders

                                      2

<PAGE>



Agreement.  Holding and Carlyle  acknowledge that they must bear the economic
risk of their investment in the Shares for an indefinite period of time since
the Shares have not been  registered  under the  Securities Act and therefore
cannot be sold unless they are  subsequently  registered or an exemption from
registration is available.

          (b) Holding and Carlyle agree with the Company as follows:

               (i) The certificates evidencing the Shares they have agreed to
purchase,  and each  certificate  issued in transfer  thereof,  will bear the
following legend:

          "THE  SECURITIES  EVIDENCED  BY  THIS  CERTIFICATE  HAVE  NOT  BEEN
          REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR
          TRANSFERRED  UNLESS  THERE IS AN EFFECTIVE  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT
          COVERING  SUCH  SECURITIES  OR THE  COMPANY  RECEIVES AN OPINION OF
          COUNSEL (WHICH COUNSEL AND OPINION ARE REASONABLY  SATISFACTORY  TO
          THE COMPANY)  STATING THAT SUCH SALE OR TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM THE
          REGISTRATION AND PROSPECTUS DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT."

               (ii)  The  certificates  representing  the  Shares,  and  each
certificate  issued in transfer  thereof,  will also bear any legend required
under any applicable state securities law.

               (iii) Absent an  effective  registration  statement  under the
Securities Act covering the disposition of the Company's  securities acquired
by any Party, such Party will not sell, transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate
or otherwise dispose of any or all of such securities without first providing
the  Company  with an opinion of  counsel  (which  counsel  and  opinion  are
reasonably  satisfactory to the Company) that such disposition is exempt from
the registration and prospectus  delivery  requirements of the Securities Act
and  has  been   registered  or  qualified  under  (or  is  exempt  from  the
registration  and   qualification   requirements  of)  any  applicable  state
securities laws.

               (iv) Holding  represents  that no part of the funds to be used
to purchase the Shares  constitutes  "plan assets" as defined in Section 3 of
ERISA.


                                    ARTICLE 2

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                                 OF THE COMPANY

     Except  as  otherwise  set  forth  in  any  Schedule  or  other  written
information (to the extent  relevant)  delivered to Holding and Carlyle,  the
Company hereby makes the following  representations and warranties to Holding
and Carlyle:

                                      3

<PAGE>



     2.1 Organization,  Standing and Authority.  The Company is a corporation
duly organized,  validly  existing and in good standing under the laws of the
State of Delaware and has the  corporate  power and  authority to operate the
Business and to own and lease the assets used therein as contemplated by this
Agreement and the Related Documents.

     2.2 Certificate of Incorporation  and Bylaws.  The Company has delivered
to  Holding  and  Carlyle  true and  complete  copies of the  Certificate  of
Incorporation  (certified by the  Secretary of State),  Bylaws and the minute
book or comparable  instruments (certified by the corporate secretary) of the
Company  as in effect on the date  hereof.  The  minute  book of the  Company
accurately reflects all actions taken at all meetings and consents in lieu of
meetings of the Company's shareholders, and all actions taken at all meetings
and consents in lieu of meetings of the Company's  board of directors and all
committees thereof.

     2.3  Execution and  Delivery.  The Company has the  requisite  corporate
power  and  authority  to  execute,  deliver  and  perform  the terms of this
Agreement, each of the Related Documents and all other instruments, documents
and agreements  contemplated  or required by the provisions of this Agreement
to be executed,  delivered or performed by it. This Agreement and the Related
Documents  have been duly approved by all requisite  corporate  action of the
Company,  and when executed and  delivered by the Company,  each will be duly
and properly  executed and delivered by the Company and will  constitute  the
legally valid and binding  obligations of the Company  enforceable against it
in accordance with their respective terms,  except as such enforceability may
be limited by bankruptcy,  insolvency,  moratorium,  reorganization and other
similar laws affecting  creditors' rights generally and by general principles
of equity,  regardless  of whether  asserted in a proceeding  in equity or at
law.

     2.4 No  Conflict.  The  execution,  delivery  and  performance  of  this
Agreement and the Related  Documents and the  consummation of the acquisition
of the Shares  contemplated  hereby will not (i) conflict with or violate any
provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company,  (ii)
violate, conflict with or result in the breach of any of the terms of, result
in any modification of the effect of, or otherwise give any other contracting
party the right to terminate,  or constitute (or with notice of lapse of time
or both constitute) a default under, any contract or other agreement to which
the  Company  is a party or by or to which its  assets or  properties  may be
bound or subject,  (iii) violate any order,  judgment,  injunction,  award or
decree of a court,  arbitrator or governmental or regulatory body against, or
binding upon, or condition  imposed by any  governmental or regulatory  body,
foreign or domestic,  binding upon, the Company or its securities,  assets or
business,  or (iv) violate any statute, law or regulation of any jurisdiction
as  such  statute,  law  or  regulation  relates  to  the  Company  or to its
securities,  assets or business,  which  conflicts,  violations,  breaches or
defaults in the foregoing clauses would prohibit or restrict the consummation
of  the  acquisition  of  the  Shares  contemplated  by  this  Agreement  or,
individually  or in the  aggregate,  have a  material  adverse  effect on the
Company.

     2.5 Capitalization. The authorized capital stock of the Company consists
of 25,000  shares of Common Stock of which,  as of the date hereof,  none are
issued and  outstanding  and 15,000  shares of  preferred  stock  ("Preferred
Stock") of which, as of the date hereof, none are issued and outstanding. The
Company holds no shares of its capital stock

                                      4

<PAGE>



in its  treasury.  Except as  provided in this  Agreement,  no person has any
agreement,  subscription,  option or warrant or any other right or commitment
entitling such person to acquire from the Company any shares of the Company's
capital stock or any other securities or other  instruments  convertible into
or exchangeable for any such shares.

     2.6 Title to Shares.  Upon delivery of the Holding Common Stock Purchase
Price and the  Holding  Preferred  Stock  Purchase  Price by  Holding  at the
Closing,  Holding  will  acquire  the Holding  Common  Shares and the Holding
Preferred  Shares  being  purchased  from the  Company  free and clear of all
liens, encumbrances,  security agreements, equities, options, claims, charges
and restrictions (other than restrictions of general applicability imposed by
federal  and state  securities  and other  laws and  those  contained  in the
Shareholders  Agreement) and will acquire good and  marketable  title to such
Shares (subject to the above referenced  restrictions).  Upon delivery of the
Carlyle Common Stock  Purchase Price by Carlyle at the Closing,  Carlyle will
acquire the Carlyle  Common Shares being  purchased from the Company free and
clear of all liens,  encumbrances,  security agreements,  equities,  options,
claims,   charges  and  restrictions  (other  than  restrictions  of  general
applicability  imposed by  federal  and state  securities  and other laws and
those  contained  in the  Shareholders  Agreement)  and will acquire good and
marketable   title  to  such  Shares   (subject   to  the  above   referenced
restrictions).

     2.7 Litigation.  The Company is not a party to any  litigation,  action,
suit, proceeding or investigation presently pending or threatened, before any
court or  governmental  department,  commission,  board,  bureau,  agency  or
instrumentality,   domestic  or  foreign,   restricting  or  prohibiting  the
consummation of the acquisition of the Shares contemplated by this Agreement.

     2.8 Consents and Approvals.  The execution,  delivery and performance of
this Agreement and the Related  Documents by the Company and the consummation
of the  acquisition  of the Shares  contemplated  hereby do not  require  the
Company to obtain any consent, approval or action of, or make any filing with
or give notice to, any corporation, partnership, person, firm or other entity
or any public, governmental or judicial authority.

     2.9  Brokerage.  The  Company  has not  engaged or  retained  any agent,
broker,  person or firm to act on behalf of it who would be  entitled  to any
commission  or broker's or finder's  fees from any Party hereto in connection
with any of the transactions contemplated herein, other than the firms listed
on Schedule  3.7 and  Schedule  4.7 hereto  which are acting on behalf of the
Company.

     2.10 Securities Laws. The offer,  issuance and sale of the Shares by the
Company are and will be exempt from the registration and prospectus  delivery
requirements  of the  Securities  Act and will be registered or qualified (or
are exempt  from  registration  and  qualification)  under the  registration,
permit or qualification requirements of all applicable state securities laws.
The  Company  will not take any action  that  would  cause the  issuance  and
delivery of the Shares to constitute a violation of the  Securities Act or of
any state securities law.

                                      5

<PAGE>




                                    ARTICLE 3

                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF CARLYLE

     Carlyle represents and warrants to Holding and the Company as follows:

     3.1  Organization,   Standing  and  Authority.   Carlyle  is  a  limited
partnership  duly organized,  validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the State of Delaware and has the partnership  power and authority to
own,  lease and operate its assets,  properties  and business and to carry on
its business as now being and as heretofore conducted.

     3.2 Execution and Delivery.  Carlyle has the requisite partnership power
and  authority to execute,  deliver and perform the terms of this  Agreement,
each of the  Related  Documents  and all  other  instruments,  documents  and
agreements contemplated or required by the provisions of this Agreement to be
executed,  delivered  or  performed  by it.  This  Agreement  and the Related
Documents  (to which  Carlyle  is a party)  have been  duly  approved  by all
requisite  partnership action of Carlyle,  and when executed and delivered by
Carlyle, will be duly and properly executed and delivered by Carlyle and will
constitute the legally valid and binding  obligations of Carlyle  enforceable
against  it in  accordance  with  their  respective  terms,  except  as  such
enforceability  may  be  limited  by  bankruptcy,   insolvency,   moratorium,
reorganization  and other similar laws affecting  creditors' rights generally
and by general  principles  of equity,  regardless  of whether  asserted in a
proceeding in equity or at law.

     3.3 No  Conflict.  The  execution,  delivery  and  performance  of  this
Agreement and the Related  Documents and the  consummation of the acquisition
of the Carlyle Shares and the other transactions  contemplated  hereby and by
the Related  Documents in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof and
thereof will not (i) violate any  provision of the  partnership  agreement or
organizational  documents of Carlyle or any of the partners of Carlyle;  (ii)
violate, conflict with or result in the breach of any of the terms of, result
in any modification of the effect of, or otherwise give any other contracting
party the right to terminate,  or constitute (or with notice or lapse of time
or both constitute) a default under, any contract or other agreement to which
Carlyle is a party or by or to which its assets or properties may be bound or
subject or the  partnership  agreements  of the  partners of  Carlyle;  (iii)
violate  any  order,  judgment,  injunction,  award  or  decree  of  a  court
arbitrator or governmental  or regulatory  body against,  or binding upon, or
condition  imposed  by,  any  governmental  or  regulatory  body,  foreign or
domestic, binding upon, Carlyle or the assets or business of Carlyle; or (iv)
violate any statute,  law or regulation of any  jurisdiction as such statute,
law or regulation relates to Carlyle or to the assets or business of Carlyle.

     3.4 Litigation.  Carlyle is not a party to any litigation, action, suit,
proceeding or investigation presently pending or threatened, before any court
or   governmental   department,   commission,   board,   bureau,   agency  or
instrumentality, domestic or foreign, which, if adversely decided, would have
a material  adverse  effect on Carlyle's  ability to perform its  obligations
under this  Agreement and the Related  Documents,  or which would restrict or
prohibit  the   consummation   of  the  acquisition  of  the  Carlyle  Shares
contemplated by this Agreement.

                                      6

<PAGE>




     3.5 Consents and Approvals.  The execution,  delivery and performance of
this Agreement and the Related  Documents by Carlyle and the  consummation of
the  transactions  contemplated  hereby do not require  Carlyle to obtain any
consent,  approval  or action of, or make any filing  with or give notice to,
any  corporation,  partnership,  person,  firm or other entity or any public,
governmental or judicial authority.

     3.6 Investment  Intent.  Carlyle is purchasing the Carlyle Common Shares
for  its  own  account  for  investment  and  with no  present  intention  of
distributing  or reselling such shares or any part thereof.  Carlyle is fully
informed as to the applicable  limitations upon any distribution or resale of
the Carlyle Common  Shares,  which have not been  registered  pursuant to the
Securities Act. Carlyle agrees not to distribute or resell any of the Carlyle
Common Shares if such  distribution or resale would constitute a violation of
the Securities Act by Carlyle.

     3.7 Brokerage.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.7 hereto,  Carlyle has
not engaged or retained any agent, broker, person or firm to act on behalf of
Carlyle who would be entitled to any  commission or broker's or finder's fees
from any Party hereto in connection with any of the transactions contemplated
herein.

                                    ARTICLE 4

                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF HOLDING

     Holding represents and warrants to Carlyle and the Company as follows:

     4.1  Organization,  Standing  and  Authority  of  Holding.  Holding is a
corporation  duly organized,  validly existing and in good standing under the
State of Delaware and has the corporate power and authority to own, lease and
operate its assets,  properties  and business and to carry on its business as
now being and as heretofore conducted.

     4.2 Execution and Delivery.  Holding has the requisite  corporate  power
and  authority to execute,  deliver and perform the terms of this  Agreement,
each of the  Related  Documents  (to which  Holding is a party) and all other
instruments,  documents  and  agreements  contemplated  or  required  by  the
provisions  of this  Agreement to be executed,  delivered or performed by it.
This  Agreement and the Related  Documents (to which Holding is a party) have
been duly approved by all  requisite  corporate  action of Holding,  and when
executed  and  delivered by Holding,  will be duly and properly  executed and
delivered  by Holding  and will  constitute  the  legally  valid and  binding
obligations  of  Holding  enforceable  against  it in  accordance  with their
respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency,  moratorium,  reorganization  and other  similar  laws  affecting
creditors' rights generally and by general  principles of equity,  regardless
of whether asserted in a proceeding in equity or at law.

     4.3 No  Conflict.  The  execution,  delivery  and  performance  of  this
Agreement and the Related  Documents and the  consummation of the acquisition
of the Holding Common Shares and the Holding  Preferred  Shares and the other
transactions
                                      7

<PAGE>



contemplated hereby and by the Related Documents in accordance with the terms
and  conditions  hereof and thereof will not (i) violate any provision of the
charter or organizational  documents of Holding; (ii) violate,  conflict with
or result in the breach of any of the terms of, result in any modification of
the effect of, or  otherwise  give any other  contracting  party the right to
terminate, or constitute (or with notice or lapse of time or both constitute)
a default under,  any contract or other agreement to which Holding is a party
or by or to which its assets or  properties  may be bound or  subject;  (iii)
violate  any  order,  judgment,  injunction,  award  or  decree  of  a  court
arbitrator or governmental  or regulatory  body against,  or binding upon, or
condition  imposed  by,  any  governmental  or  regulatory  body,  foreign or
domestic, binding upon, Holding or the assets or business of Holding; or (iv)
violate any statute,  law or regulation of any  jurisdiction as such statute,
law or regulation relates to Holding or to the assets or business of Holding.

     4.4 Litigation.  Holding is not a party to any litigation, action, suit,
proceeding or investigation presently pending or threatened, before any court
or   governmental   department,   commission,   board,   bureau,   agency  or
instrumentality, domestic or foreign, which, if adversely decided, would have
a material  adverse  effect on Holding's  ability to perform its  obligations
under this  Agreement and the Related  Documents,  or which would restrict or
prohibit the consummation of the acquisition of the Holding Common Shares and
the Holding Preferred Shares contemplated by this Agreement.

     4.5 Consents and Approvals.  The execution,  delivery and performance of
this Agreement by Holding and the consummation by Holding of the transactions
contemplated hereby do not require Holding to obtain any consent, approval or
action  of, or make any  filing  with or give  notice  to,  any  corporation,
partnership,  person,  firm or other  entity or any public,  governmental  or
judicial authority (except for such disclosure obligations as required by the
securities laws).

     4.6 Investment  Intent.  Holding is purchasing the Holding Common Shares
and the Holding  Preferred Shares for its own account for investment and with
no present  intention of  distributing  or reselling  such shares or any part
thereof.  Holding is fully informed as to the applicable limitations upon any
distribution or resale of the Holding Common Shares or the Holding  Preferred
Shares,  which  have not been  registered  pursuant  to the  Securities  Act.
Holding  agrees not to distribute or resell any of the Holding  Common Shares
and the  Holding  Preferred  Shares  if such  distribution  or  resale  would
constitute a violation of the Securities Act by Holding.

     4.7 Brokerage.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4.7 hereto,  Holding has
not engaged or retained any agent, broker, person or firm to act on behalf of
Holding who would be entitled to any  commission or broker's or finder's fees
from any Party hereto in connection with any of the transactions contemplated
herein.


                                      8

<PAGE>



                                    ARTICLE 5

                                    COVENANTS


     5.1 Expenses. If the Closing occurs, the Company (or a subsidiary of the
Company) shall bear all of the Parties' and the Company's legal,  accounting,
actuarial,  investment banking, brokerage and other similar fees and expenses
incurred in connection with the Acquisition  Agreement and this Agreement and
the  transactions  contemplated  thereby,  including  without  limitation the
reasonable fees and expenses of Latham & Watkins and Gibson,  Dunn & Crutcher
and the fees and  expenses  relating to the  establishment,  maintenance  and
termination  of the  Letter of Credit.  If the  Closing  does not occur,  (i)
Holding  shall bear the fees and  expenses of its  investment  bankers,  (ii)
Carlyle shall bear the fees and expenses of its investment bankers, and (iii)
all other fees and expenses, including reasonable fees and expenses of Latham
& Watkins and  Gibson,  Dunn & Crutcher,  and fees and  expenses  relating to
establishing  the  Letter  of  Credit  and  any   reimbursement   obligations
thereunder, shall be divided equally between Holding and Carlyle.

     5.2 Related Documents.  Concurrently with the Closing, the Parties to be
party thereto will enter into the Shareholders Agreement in the form attached
as Exhibit B hereto,  the Registration  Rights Agreement in the form attached
as Exhibit C hereto, the Standstill Agreement in the form attached as Exhibit
I hereto and the  Collateral  Custodial  Agreement  in the form  attached  as
Exhibit J hereto and the Shares, upon issuance, and stock powers with respect
thereto,  executed in blank by Carlyle and Holding  will be  delivered to The
First  National  Bank of Chicago as  Collateral  Agent  under the  Collateral
Custodial Agreement.  Immediately following the Acquisition Agreement Closing
(as  defined  below),  the  Company  shall cause its  indirect  wholly  owned
subsidiary,  Howmet  Corporation,  to enter into  Management  Agreements with
Holding and TCG Holdings,  L.L.C. in the forms attached hereto as Exhibit D-1
and  Exhibit D-2  respectively,  and shall cause its  indirect  wholly  owned
subsidiary,  Howmet Holdings Acquisition Corp., to enter into Transaction Fee
Agreements  with Thiokol  Corporation  and TCG Holdings,  L.L.C. in the forms
attached as Exhibit D-3 and Exhibit D-4 respectively.

     5.3 Preferred  Stock.  Prior to Closing,  the Company will file with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware the Preferred  Stock  Certificate
of Designations in the form attached as Exhibit E hereto.

     5.4 Stock Ownership.  The Company  covenants that upon Closing:  (a) the
shares of Common Stock issued to Holding shall  constitute  49% of the issued
and outstanding  Common Stock of the Company;  (b) the shares of Common Stock
issued to Carlyle shall  constitute 51% of the issued and outstanding  Common
Stock of the Company; and (c) the shares of Preferred Stock issued to Holding
shall  constitute 100% of the issued and  outstanding  Preferred Stock of the
Company.


                                      9

<PAGE>



                                  ARTICLE 6

                   CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF HOLDING


     The  obligations  of Holding to enter into and  complete the Closing are
subject to the  fulfillment  on or prior to the Closing Date of the following
conditions,  any one or more of which  may be  waived  by it,  to the  extent
permitted by law:

     6.1 Corporate  Action.  Holding shall have received  certified copies of
the Company's charter documents (including the Preferred Stock Certificate of
Designations and Bylaws) and resolutions of the Company's Board of Directors,
in form satisfactory to Holding, approving the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, the Related Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby.

     6.2 Representations and Covenants. The representations and warranties of
Carlyle  and the  Company  set forth in this  Agreement  shall be true in all
material  respects  on  the  Closing  Date,  except  for  any  activities  or
transactions  which may have  taken  place  after the date of this  Agreement
which are expressly permitted by this Agreement,  and Carlyle and the Company
shall have duly  performed  and complied  with in all  material  respects all
covenants,  agreements and conditions to be performed or satisfied by Carlyle
or the Company on or prior to the Closing Date.

     6.3  Litigation.  On the Closing  Date,  there  shall be no  litigation,
proceeding or  investigation  pending  pertaining to the  acquisition  of the
Shares  contemplated  by this Agreement  which, if decided  adversely,  would
materially affect the ability of the Parties to consummate the acquisition of
the Shares contemplated by this Agreement.

     6.4 Absence of Adverse  Governmental  Action.  No action shall have been
taken and no statute,  rule,  regulation  or order shall have been enacted or
entered  by any  governmental  body,  agency or by any court to  prohibit  or
unduly delay  consummation of the  acquisition of the Shares  contemplated by
this Agreement.

     6.5 Consents and Approvals. All waivers, licenses, agreements,  permits,
consents,  approvals  or  authorizations  of third  parties  or  governmental
agencies  required  to be obtained  with  respect to the  acquisition  of the
Shares  shall  have been  obtained  and shall be in full force and effect and
without conditions or limitations which unreasonably  restrict the ability of
the Parties to carry out the  acquisition of the Shares  contemplated  hereby
and Holding shall have been furnished with appropriate  evidence,  reasonably
satisfactory to it and its counsel, of the granting of same.

     6.6 Acquisition  Closing.  The Acquisition  Agreement Closing shall have
occurred  or  shall  occur  substantially  simultaneously  with  the  Closing
hereunder.

     6.7 Related  Documents.  The  Shareholders  Agreement,  the Registration
Rights  Agreement,  the  Collateral  Custodial  Agreement and the  Standstill
Agreement  shall  have been  simultaneously  executed  and  delivered  by the
parties thereto and the Shares and stock powers with respect thereto executed
in blank by Carlyle and Holding shall,

                                      10

<PAGE>



simultaneously  therewith,  have  been  delivered  to  and  accepted  by  the
Collateral Agent under the Collateral Custodial Agreement.

     6.8 Preferred  Stock  Certificate of  Designations.  The Preferred Stock
Certificate of  Designations  shall have been duly authorized by the Board of
Directors  of the  Company  and shall have been filed with the  Secretary  of
State of the State of Delaware.

     6.9  Issuance  of Shares.  The  Company  will,  simultaneously  with the
Closing,  issue to Carlyle the Carlyle Common Shares against  payment in full
by Carlyle therefor.

     6.10  Opinion of Counsel.  Holding  shall have  received an opinion from
Latham &  Watkins,  dated as of the  Closing  Date,  in the form of Exhibit F
hereto.

     6.11  Letter of  Credit.  The  Letter of Credit  shall be  returned  for
cancellation simultaneously with the Closing.


                                  ARTICLE 7

                   CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF CARLYLE

     The  obligations  of Carlyle to enter into and  complete the Closing are
subject to the  fulfillment  on or prior to the Closing Date of the following
conditions,  any one or more of which may be waived by Carlyle, to the extent
permitted by law:

     7.1 Corporate  Action.  Carlyle shall have received  certified copies of
the Company's charter documents (including the Preferred Stock Certificate of
Designations and Bylaws) and resolutions of the Company's Board of Directors,
in form satisfactory to Carlyle, approving the execution and delivery of this
Agreement, the Related Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby.

     7.2 Representations and Covenants. The representations and warranties of
Holding  and the  Company  set forth in this  Agreement  shall be true in all
material  respects  on  the  Closing  Date,  except  for  any  activities  or
transactions  which may have  taken  place  after the date of this  Agreement
which are expressly permitted by this Agreement,  and Holding and the Company
shall have duly  performed  and complied  with in all  material  respects all
covenants,  agreements and conditions to be performed or satisfied by Holding
or the Company on or prior to the Closing Date.

     7.3  Litigation.  On the Closing  Date,  there  shall be no  litigation,
proceeding or  investigation  pending  pertaining to the  acquisition  of the
Shares  contemplated  by this Agreement  which, if decided  adversely,  would
materially affect the ability of the Parties to consummate the acquisition of
the Shares contemplated by this Agreement.

     7.4 Absence of Adverse  Governmental  Action.  No action shall have been
taken and no statute,  rule,  regulation  or order shall have been enacted or
entered by any governmental  body,  agency or by any court with  jurisdiction
over the transactions
                                      11

<PAGE>



contemplated  herein, with requisite  authority,  to prohibit or unduly delay
consummation of the acquisition of the Shares contemplated by this Agreement.

     7.5 Consents and Approvals. All waivers, licenses, agreements,  permits,
consents,  approvals  or  authorizations  of third  parties  or  governmental
agencies  required  to be obtained  with  respect to the  acquisition  of the
Shares  shall  have been  obtained  and shall be in full force and effect and
without conditions or limitations which unreasonably  restrict the ability of
the Parties to carry out the  acquisition of the Shares  contemplated  hereby
and Carlyle shall have been furnished with appropriate  evidence,  reasonably
satisfactory to it and its counsel, of the granting of same.

     7.6 Acquisition  Closing.  The Acquisition  Agreement Closing shall have
occurred  or  shall  occur  substantially  simultaneously  with  the  Closing
hereunder.

     7.7 Related  Documents.  The  Shareholders  Agreement,  the Registration
Rights  Agreement,  the  Collateral  Custodial  Agreement and the  Standstill
Agreement  shall  have been  simultaneously  executed  and  delivered  by the
parties  thereto and the Shares shall,  simultaneously  therewith,  have been
delivered  to and  accepted  by the  Collateral  Agent  under the  Collateral
Custodial Agreement.

     7.8  Issuance  of Shares.  The  Company  will,  simultaneously  with the
Closing, issue to Holding the Holding Common Shares and the Holding Preferred
Shares against payment in full by Holding therefor.

     7.9 Opinion of R. Robert Harris.  Carlyle shall have received an opinion
from R. Robert Harris,  General  Counsel to Holding,  dated as of the Closing
Date, in the form of Exhibit G hereto.

     7.10  Opinion of Counsel.  Carlyle  shall have  received an opinion from
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, dated as of the Closing Date, in the form of Exhibit
H hereto.

     7.11  Letter of  Credit.  The  Letter of Credit  shall be  returned  for
cancellation and termination simultaneously with the Closing.


                                  ARTICLE 8

                 CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY

     The  obligations  of the Company to enter into and  complete the Closing
are  subject  to the  fulfillment  on or  prior  to the  Closing  Date of the
following conditions,  any one or more of which may be waived by the Company,
to the extent permitted by law:

     8.1 Representations and Covenants. The representations and warranties of
Holding and Carlyle set forth in this Agreement shall be true in all material
respects on the Closing Date, except for any activities or transactions which
may have taken place after the

                                      12

<PAGE>



date of this Agreement which are expressly  permitted by this Agreement,  and
Holding  and  Carlyle  shall have duly  performed  and  complied  with in all
material respects all covenants, agreements and conditions to be performed or
satisfied by Holding and Carlyle on or prior to the Closing Date.

     8.2  Litigation.  On the Closing  Date,  there  shall be no  litigation,
proceeding or  investigation  pending  pertaining to the  acquisition  of the
Shares  contemplated  by this Agreement  which, if decided  adversely,  would
materially affect the ability of the Parties to consummate the acquisition of
the Shares contemplated by this Agreement.

     8.3 Absence of Adverse  Governmental  Action.  No action shall have been
taken and no statute,  rule,  regulation  or order shall have been enacted or
entered by any governmental  body,  agency or by any court with  jurisdiction
over the  transaction  contemplated  herein,  with  requisite  authority,  to
prohibit  or unduly  delay  consummation  of the  acquisition  of the  Shares
contemplated by this Agreement.

     8.4 Consents and Approvals. All waivers, licenses, agreements,  permits,
consents,  approvals  or  authorizations  of third  parties  or  governmental
agencies  required  to be obtained  with  respect to the  acquisition  of the
Shares  shall  have been  obtained  and shall be in full force and effect and
without conditions or limitations which unreasonably  restrict the ability of
the Parties to carry out the  acquisition of the Shares  contemplated  hereby
and  the  Company  shall  have  been  furnished  with  appropriate  evidence,
reasonably satisfactory to it and its counsel, of the granting of same.

     8.5 Acquisition  Closing.  The Acquisition  Agreement Closing shall have
occurred  or  shall  occur  substantially  simultaneously  with  the  Closing
hereunder.


                                  ARTICLE 9

                               INDEMNIFICATION


     9.1  Obligation to Indemnify.  Each of the Parties  agrees to indemnify,
defend and hold  harmless the other Parties (and their  directors,  officers,
employees,  Affiliates and assigns) from and against all Losses, in excess of
amounts received or receivable from insurance proceeds,  based upon a General
Claim with respect to such indemnifying Party.

     9.2 Notice of Asserted  Liability.  Promptly  after becoming aware of or
receiving  notice of any  demand,  claim or  circumstance  from a third party
which,  with the  lapse  of time,  would  give  rise to a Loss (an  "Asserted
Liability")  attributable to a General Claim, the Party receiving such notice
or becoming aware of a Loss (the  "Indemnitee")  shall give notice thereof to
any other Party(ies)  required to make  indemnification  with respect thereto
(the  "Indemnitor").  The notice shall  describe  the  Asserted  Liability in
reasonable detail, and shall indicate the amount (estimated, if necessary) of
the Loss that has been or may be suffered by Indemnitee.

                                      13

<PAGE>



     9.3 Opportunity to Defend. Indemnitor may elect to compromise or defend,
at its own expense and by its own counsel, any Asserted Liability;  provided,
however,  that Indemnitor may not compromise or settle any Asserted Liability
without  the  consent of  Indemnitee  unless such  compromise  or  settlement
requires no more than a monetary  payment for which  Indemnitee and any other
indemnifiable  parties  hereunder  are fully  indemnified  or involves  other
matters not binding upon Indemnitee or such other  indemnifiable  parties. If
Indemnitor elects to compromise or defend such Asserted  Liability,  it shall
within thirty (30) days (or sooner,  if the nature of the Asserted  Liability
so requires)  notify  Indemnitee of its intent to do so, and Indemnitee shall
cooperate in the compromise of, or defense against,  such Asserted Liability.
If  Indemnitor  so  elects,  Indemnitor  shall be  obligated  to defend  such
Asserted Liability until either (a) Indemnitor and Indemnitee agree otherwise
or (b) an arbitrator determines pursuant to Section 11.5 that Indemnitor does
not have an obligation to indemnify  Indemnitee.  If Indemnitor elects not to
compromise or defend any Asserted  Liability,  fails to notify  Indemnitee of
its election as herein provided or contests its obligation to indemnify under
Section 9.1 hereof,  Indemnitee  may pay,  compromise or defend such Asserted
Liability in respect of any Asserted  Liability for which Indemnitor may have
an  indemnification  obligation under Section 9.1,  without  prejudice to any
right it may have  hereunder.  The Party which elects to compromise or defend
any Asserted Liability pursuant to the foregoing provisions shall control the
matter  subject to such  provisions.  In any event,  any of the  Parties  may
participate,  at their own expense,  in the defense of any Asserted Liability
in  respect  of any  Asserted  Liability  for which  such  person may have an
indemnification  obligation under Section 9.1. If any Party chooses to defend
or  participate in the defense of any Asserted  Liability,  it shall have the
right to  receive  from the other  Party(ies)  any  books,  records  or other
documents  within such Party's control and reasonable  access to such Party's
employees, that are necessary or appropriate for such defense.

     9.4 Injunctive  Relief. In addition to any rights or remedies  available
by  law,  the  Parties  shall  have  the  right  to seek  injunctive  relief,
declaratory relief or specific performance as remedies.


                                  ARTICLE 10

                                MISCELLANEOUS


     10.1 Notices.  Any notice or other  communication  required or permitted
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, telegraphed,
or sent by facsimile transmission or sent by certified, registered or express
mail,  postage  prepaid.  Any such  notice  shall  be  deemed  given  when so
delivered personally,  telegraphed,  or sent by facsimile transmission or, if
mailed,  three (3)  business  days  after the date of  deposit  in the United
States mail,  by certified  mail return  receipt  requested,  if also sent by
facsimile  transmission  (if  available at the office of the  recipient),  as
follows:

                                      14

<PAGE>



                                    If to Carlyle, to:

                                    Carlyle-Blade Acquisition Partners, L.P.
                                    1001 Pennsylvania Avenue
                                    Suite 220 South
                                    Washington, D.C. 20004-2505
                                    Attention:  William E. Conway, Jr.
                                    Telecopier: (202) 347-1818

                                    with a copy to:

                                    Latham & Watkins
                                    1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
                                    Suite 1300
                                    Washington, D.C.  20004
                                    Attention:  Bruce E. Rosenblum
                                    Telecopier:  (202) 637-2201

                                    If to Blade Acquisition Corp., to:

                                    Blade Acquisition Corp.
                                    c/o The Carlyle Group, L.P.
                                    1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
                                    Suite 220 South
                                    Washington, D.C.  20004
                                    Attention:  William E. Conway, Jr.
                                    Telecopier:  (202) 347-1818

                                    with a copy to:

                                    Latham & Watkins
                                    1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
                                    Suite 1300
                                    Washington, D.C.  20004
                                    Attention:  Bruce E. Rosenblum
                                    Telecopier:  (202) 637-2201

                                    If to Holding, to:

                                    Thiokol Corporation
                                    2475 Washington Boulevard
                                    Ogden, UT  84401-2398
                                    Attention:   R. Robert Harris,
                                                 Corporate Vice President
                                                 and General Counsel
                                    Telecopier:  (801) 629-2420


                                      15

<PAGE>



                                    with a copy to:

                                    Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
                                    333 South Grand Avenue
                                    Los Angeles, CA 90071
                                    Attention:   Steven Meiers
                                    Telecopier:  (213) 229-7520

     Any Party,  by notice given in accordance  with this Section 10.1 to the
Parties,  may designate  another  address or person for receipt of notices or
copies thereof hereunder.

     10.2 Entire  Agreement.  This  Agreement  (including  the  Exhibits  and
Schedules  hereto)  contains  the entire  agreement  among the  Parties  with
respect  to  the  subject  matter  hereof  and  thereof,   including  without
limitation  purchase of the Shares and related  transactions,  and supersedes
all prior agreements, written or oral, with respect thereto.

     10.3 Waivers and Amendments;  Non-Contractual Remedies;  Preservation of
Remedies. This Agreement may be amended,  superseded,  cancelled,  renewed or
extended,  and the terms hereof may be waived,  only by a written  instrument
signed  by each of the  Parties  or,  in the case of a  waiver,  by the Party
waiving  compliance.  No  delay on the part of any  Party in  exercising  any
right,  power or privilege  hereunder shall operate as a waiver  thereof.  No
waiver on the part of any Party of any  right,  power or  privilege,  nor any
single or partial  exercise  of any such  right,  power or  privilege,  shall
preclude  any  further  exercise  thereof or the  exercise  of any other such
right, power or privilege.  Except as otherwise  expressly stated herein, the
rights and remedies  herein  provided are cumulative and are not exclusive of
any rights or remedies that any party may otherwise have at law or in equity.

     10.4 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance  with the substantive and procedural laws of the State of New York
applicable to agreements made and to be performed  entirely within such State
(without giving effect to any conflict of laws principles of such state which
might require application of the law of a different jurisdiction),  except as
to any matters  relating to corporate  governance or the capital stock of the
Company, which shall be governed by the law of the State of Delaware.

     10.5  Arbitration of Disputes.  Any  controversy or claim arising out of
this Agreement, or any breach of this Agreement, including any controversy or
claim as to arbitrability  or rescission,  shall be settled by arbitration in
accordance with the commercial  arbitration rules of the Judicial Arbitration
and Mediation Service.

          (a)  Such  arbitration  shall  be  conducted  in  the  District  of
     Columbia.

          (b) Any judgment upon the award rendered by the  arbitrators may be
     entered in any court having jurisdiction  thereof. The arbitrators shall
     not,  under any  circumstances,  have any  authority to award  punitive,
     exemplary or similar damages.

                                      16

<PAGE>



          (c) Any Party may pursue the remedy of specific  performance of the
     Agreement  or seek a  preliminary  or permanent  injunction  against the
     breach of the Agreement or in aid of the exercise of any power granted
     hereunder,  or any  combination  thereof  in any of the  federal  courts
     located within the District of Columbia without resort to arbitration.

          (d) The Parties hereby consent to the  jurisdiction  of the federal
     courts  located within the District of Columbia or, as to the Standstill
     Agreement, the Delaware Chancery Court, for all purposes.

     10.6 Binding  Effect;  No Assignment.  Neither this  Agreement,  nor any
right hereunder,  may be assigned by any Party without the written consent of
the other Parties.  Any such assignment or attempted  assignment in violation
of the foregoing  shall be void.  Subject to the  foregoing,  this  Agreement
shall be  binding  upon and inure to the  benefit  of the  Parties  and their
permitted successors and assigns and legal representatives.

     10.7  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be  executed by the Parties in
separate counterparts,  each of which when so executed and delivered shall be
an original,  but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the
same  instrument.  Each  counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof
each signed by less than all, but together signed by all of the Parties.

     10.8  Schedules and  Exhibits.  The Schedules and Exhibits are a part of
this  Agreement  as if fully  set forth  herein,  provided  that the  Related
Agreements  are each  self-contained  agreements.  All  references  herein to
articles,  sections,  paragraphs,  Schedules  and  Exhibits  shall be  deemed
references  to such  parts  of  this  Agreement,  unless  the  context  shall
otherwise require.

     10.9 Headings.  The headings in the Agreement are for reference only and
shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

     10.10  Publicity.  All notices to third parties and all other  publicity
concerning the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement shall be jointly
planned  and  coordinated  by the  Parties,  unless  such  notices  or  other
publicity  are mandated by law or are of the type  specified in clause (d) of
Section 10.14.

     10.11  Severability.  If any portion of this  Agreement  shall be deemed
unenforceable by a court of competent  jurisdiction,  the remaining  portions
shall be valid and enforceable.

     10.12  Time of  Essence.  Time is of the  essence  for  each  and  every
provision of this Agreement.

     10.13  Attorneys'  Fees.  If any  legal  action,  arbitration  or  other
proceeding is brought for the enforcement of this Agreement, or because of an
alleged dispute, breach, default, or misrepresentation in connection with any
of the provisions of this Agreement, the successful or prevailing party shall
be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys' fees and other

                                      17

<PAGE>



costs incurred in that action or proceeding,  in addition to any other relief
to which it may be entitled.

     10.14  Confidentiality.  All information  disclosed by any Party (or its
representatives)  whether before or after the date hereof, in connection with
the  transactions  contemplated  by,  or  the  discussions  and  negotiations
preceding,  this  Agreement to any other Party (or its  representatives),  if
such  information is presented in writing and has been  designated in writing
as  confidential,  shall be kept  confidential  by such  other  Party and its
representatives  and shall not be used  other  than as  contemplated  by this
Agreement,  except (a) to the extent that such  information  (i) was known by
the recipient when received, (ii) is or hereafter becomes lawfully obtainable
from other  sources,  or (iii) is necessary or  appropriate  to disclose to a
governmental entity having jurisdiction over a Party, or (b) as may otherwise
be required by law, or (c) to the extent such duty as to  confidentiality  is
waived in writing by the other  Parties,  or (d) as  reasonably  necessary to
obtain  approvals  and  consents  relating to the  transactions  contemplated
hereunder. If the Closing does not occur, each Party shall use all reasonable
efforts to return upon written  request from the other  Parties all documents
(and reproductions  thereof) received by it or its  representatives  from the
other Parties (and, in the case of reproductions, all such reproductions made
by the receiving  Party) that include  information  not within the exceptions
contained  in the  first  sentence  of this  section,  unless  the  recipient
provides assurances reasonably satisfactory to the requesting Party that such
documents have been destroyed.

     10.15  Definitions.  As used in this  Agreement,  the terms set forth in
Exhibit A hereto shall have the meanings set forth therein.

                                      18

<PAGE>




     IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  Carlyle, the Company and Holding have duly executed
and delivered this Agreement as of the date first above written.

                        "Carlyle"

                         CARLYLE-BLADE ACQUISITION
                         PARTNERS, L.P., a Delaware limited
                         partnership

                         By:      Carlyle Partners II, L.P.
                         Its:     General Partner

                         By:      TC Group, L.L.C.
                         Its:     General Partner

                         By:      TCG Holdings, L.L.C.
                         Its:     Managing Member


                         By: ________________________________________________
                         Its:________________________________________________


                         "Company"

                          BLADE ACQUISITION CORP.,
                          a Delaware corporation


                          By:________________________________________________
                          Its:_______________________________________________


                          "Holding"

                           THIOKOL HOLDING COMPANY,
                           a Delaware corporation


                           By:_______________________________________________
                           Its:______________________________________________


                                      19

<PAGE>



                                  EXHIBIT INDEX
                                  -------------


         Exhibit A      -       Definitions

         Exhibit B      -       Shareholders Agreement

         Exhibit C      -       Registration Rights Agreement

         Exhibit D-1    -       Holding Management Agreement

         Exhibit D-2    -       TCG Management Agreement

         Exhibit D-3    -       Thiokol Transaction Fee Agreement

         Exhibit D-4    -       TCG Transaction Fee Agreement

         Exhibit E      -       Preferred Stock Certificate of Designations

         Exhibit F      -       Opinion of Latham & Watkins

         Exhibit G      -       Opinion of R. Robert Harris

         Exhibit H      -       Opinion of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher

         Exhibit I      -       Standstill Agreement

         Exhibit J      -       Collateral Custodial Agreement


                                SCHEDULE INDEX


         Schedule 3.7   -        Brokers Retained by Carlyle

         Schedule 4.7   -        Brokers Retained by Holding

                                      i

<PAGE>



                                 EXHIBIT "A"


                                 DEFINITIONS


     (a) "Acquisition Agreement" means the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as
of October 12, 1995,  among Pechiney,  Pechiney  International  S.A.,  Howmet
Cercast S.A. and Blade Acquisition Corp.

     (b) "Acquisition Agreement Closing" means the closing of the acquisition
of Howmet  Cercast  Group's  securities as  contemplated  in the  Acquisition
Agreement.

     (c)  "Affiliate"  or  "Affiliates"  as applied to any Person,  means any
other Person  directly or  indirectly  controlling,  controlled  by, or under
common  control  with,  that  Person.  For the  purposes of this  definition,
"control"  (including with  correlative  meanings,  the terms  "controlling,"
"controlled by" and "under common control  with"),  as applied to any Person,
means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause
the direction of the management and policies of that Person,  whether through
the ownership of voting securities or by contract or otherwise.

     (d) "Carlyle Common Shares" means the 5,100 shares of Common Stock to be
acquired by Carlyle from the Company.

     (e) "Closing" means the consummation of the transactions contemplated in
Section 1.2.

     (f) "Common  Stock" means the voting  common  stock,  par value $.01 per
share, of the Company.

     (g) "Company" means Blade Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation, and
where  appropriate,  its Subsidiaries  (provided that no such Subsidiary is a
party to or has any rights or obligations under this Agreement).

     (h) "ERISA" means the Employee  Retirement  Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended from time to time.

     (i)  "General  Claim"  means with  respect to any Party any claim  based
upon,  arising out of or otherwise in respect of any  inaccuracy  or omission
from any  representation or warranty made by such Party, or any breach of any
covenant  or  agreement  of such Party  contained  in this  Agreement  or the
Related Documents.

     (j) "Holding Common Shares" means the 4,900 shares of Common Stock to be
acquired by Holding from the Company.

     (k) "Holding Preferred Shares" means the 5,000 shares of Preferred Stock
to be acquired by Holding from the Company.


                          Exhibit "A" - Page 1 of 3

<PAGE>




     (l) "Howmet  Cercast Group" means Pechiney  Corporation,  Howmet Cercast
(USA), Inc., Howmet Cercast (Canada),  Inc.,  Financiere  d'Ocquier S.A., and
their Subsidiaries, together with their successors and assigns.

     (m)  "Immediately  Available Funds" means a wire transfer of immediately
available funds to a deposit account  designated by the recipient or delivery
of a certified or bank cashier's check in same day funds.

     (n) "Letter of Credit" means the $10 million  letter of credit issued by
The First  National Bank of Chicago in favor of the Company,  which letter of
credit was delivered by Holding pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement.

     (o) "Losses" or "Loss"  means any action,  cost,  damage,  disbursement,
expense,  liability,  loss,  deficiency,  diminution  in  value,  obligation,
penalty  or  settlement  of  any  kind  or  nature,  whether  foreseeable  or
unforeseeable,  including  but not  limited to,  interest  or other  carrying
costs, penalties,  legal, accounting and other professional fees and expenses
incurred in the investigation,  collection, prosecution and defense of claims
and amounts paid in settlement,  that may be imposed on or otherwise incurred
or suffered.

     (p)  "Management  Agreements"  means the two agreements  dated as of the
Closing  Date,  one of  which  is  between  Howmet  Corporation,  a  Delaware
corporation  ("Howmet  Corporation")  and Holding,  and the other of which is
between Howmet Corporation and TCG Holdings, L.L.C.

     (q) "Person" means and includes natural persons,  corporations,  limited
partnerships,  general partnerships,  limited liability  partnerships,  joint
stock companies,  limited liability companies, joint ventures,  associations,
companies, trusts or other organizations,  whether or not legal entities, and
governments and agencies and political subdivisions thereof.

     (r) "Preferred Stock" means the 9.0% Series A Cumulative Preferred Stock
having  the  terms  set  forth  in  the  Preferred   Stock   Certificate   of
Designations.

     (s) "Preferred Stock Certificate of Designations"  means the certificate
of designations,  preferences and relative, participating, optional and other
special  rights  of  preferred  stock  and  qualifications,  limitations  and
restrictions  thereof  of 9.0%  Series A  Cumulative  Preferred  Stock of the
Company, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E.

     (t)  "Related   Documents"   means  the  Shareholders   Agreement,   the
Acquisition  Agreement,  the Registration  Rights  Agreement,  the Management
Agreements,  the Transaction Fee Agreements, the Standstill Agreement and the
Collateral Custodial Agreement (together,  the "Related  Agreements") and any
exhibits or  schedules  attached  thereto and any  documents  or  instruments
executed or delivered pursuant to any of the foregoing agreements.

     (u)  "Securities  Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from
time to time, including the rules and regulations thereunder.

                          Exhibit "A" - Page 2 of 3

<PAGE>




     (v) "Shareholders Agreement" means the agreement dated as of the Closing
Date, among Carlyle,  the Company and Holding in the form attached as Exhibit
B.

     (w) "Shares" means collectively the 4,900 shares of Common Stock and the
5,000  shares of  Preferred  Stock to be acquired by Holding from the Company
and the 5,100  shares of Common  Stock to be  acquired  by  Carlyle  from the
Company.

     (x) "Standstill Agreement" shall mean that Standstill Agreement dated as
of the Closing  Date, by and among  Holding,  Thiokol  Corporation,  Carlyle,
Carlyle Partners II, L.P.,  Carlyle Partners III, L.P., TC Group,  L.L.C. and
TCG Holdings, L.L.C.

     (y) "TCG Holdings,  L.L.C." means a Delaware limited  liability  company
and the managing member of TC Group, L.L.C.

     (z) "TC Group,  L.L.C." means a Delaware limited  liability  company and
the general partner of the general and limited partners of Carlyle.

     (aa)  "Transaction Fee Agreements"  means the two agreements dated as of
the Closing Date, one of which is between Howmet Holdings  Acquisition Corp.,
a Delaware  corporation,  and the other of which is between  Howmet  Holdings
Acquisition Corp. and TCG Holdings, L.L.C.


                            Exhibit "A" - Page 3 of 3

<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT "B"
                                   ----------


                             SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT
                             ----------------------


<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT "C"
                                   -----------


                          REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
                          -----------------------------




<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT "D"
                                   -----------


                   MANAGEMENT AND TRANSACTIONS FEE AGREEMENTS
                   ------------------------------------------


<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT "E"
                                   -----------


                   PREFERRED STOCK CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS
                   -------------------------------------------


<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT "F"
                                   -----------


                           OPINION OF LATHAM & WATKINS
                           ---------------------------



<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT "G"
                                   -----------


                           OPINION OF R. ROBERT HARRIS
                           ---------------------------


<PAGE>



                                   EXHIBIT "H"
                                   -----------


                       OPINION OF GIBSON, DUNN & CRUTCHER
                       ----------------------------------


<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT I
                                    ---------


                              STANDSTILL AGREEMENT
                              --------------------


<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT J
                                    ---------


                         COLLATERAL CUSTODIAL AGREEMENT
                         ------------------------------


<PAGE>



                                  SCHEDULE 3.7
                                  ------------

                           BROKERS RETAINED BY CARLYLE
                           ---------------------------


                  1.       Credit Lyonnais

                  2.       Rothschild, Inc.



<PAGE>



                                  SCHEDULE 4.7
                                  ------------


                           BROKERS RETAINED BY HOLDING
                           ---------------------------


                  1.       Lehman Brothers





                            SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT

                                 By and Among

                           THIOKOL HOLDING COMPANY

                   CARLYLE-BLADE ACQUISITION PARTNERS, L.P.

                                     and

                           BLADE ACQUISITION CORP.


                        Dated as of December 13, 1995



<PAGE>



                            SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT
                            ----------------------


     THIS SHAREHOLDERS AGREEMENT ("Agreement") dated as of December 13, 1995,
is entered into by and among BLADE ACQUISITION CORP., a Delaware  corporation
(the "Company"), THIOKOL HOLDING COMPANY, a Delaware corporation ("Holding"),
and CARLYLE-BLADE  ACQUISITION PARTNERS, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
("Carlyle") (individually,  a "Party" and collectively,  the "Parties"), with
reference to the following facts:

     A.  Holding,  Carlyle  and the  Company  are,  simultaneously  with  the
execution  and delivery of this  Agreement,  entering into that certain Stock
Purchase  Agreement  dated as of  December  13,  1995  (the  "Stock  Purchase
Agreement")  with  respect to the  issuance,  purchase and sale of the Shares
(the  meanings  of  certain  terms  used  herein  are set forth in  Exhibit A
hereto). 

     B. As an  inducement  to and a  condition  of  Holding's  and  Carlyle's
purchases of the Shares from the Company,  the Parties are entering into this
Agreement and the Related Documents and, by doing so, among other things, are
providing Holding with a Call Option hereunder.

     C. Carlyle  and  Holding,  being  the  holders of all of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock of the Company, deem it in their best interests and in
the best  interests of the Company to provide for the  consistent and uniform
management of the Company and desire to enter into this Agreement in order to
effectuate  that  purpose  and to  set  forth  their  respective  rights  and
obligations in connection with their investment in the Company.

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the premises and mutual agreements
set forth in this Agreement,  and subject to the terms and conditions  stated
herein, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

                                  ARTICLE 1

                                  MANAGEMENT

     1.1 Conduct of Business.

          (a) Unless otherwise authorized by a Board Super Majority Vote, the
     business and affairs of the Company shall be managed by its Board of
     Directors  in  substantially  the  manner  in  which  the  Business  was
     conducted prior to the date the Business was  transferred to the Company
     pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement.
                           

          (b) Even if a vote of the Board of  Directors  may not be  required
     under  applicable  law for any of the  following,  from the date  hereof
     until a date which is the  earlier of (i) the sixth  anniversary  of the
     Closing Date or, if later, the day after

                                      1

<PAGE>



     the last date on which Shares may be acquired by Holding pursuant to the
     Call Option (defined  below),  or (ii) the date the Board Super Majority
     Vote  provisions are terminated in accordance  with Section 1.1(c) below
     (the "Voting Rights Termination Date"), the Company shall not, and shall
     not permit any  Subsidiary  to (unless  such  action set forth  below is
     expressly  limited to the Company),  take any of the  following  actions
     without the  approval of a Board Super  Majority  Vote  (except for such
     actions  contemplated  by the  Acquisition  Agreement  or the  Structure
     Memorandum and that shall be completed  substantially  concurrently with
     the closing under the Acquisition Agreement): 

               (i) Sell, issue,  redeem or repurchase  Securities,  except as
          permitted by clause (ii) of this Section 1.1(b);

               (ii) Declare any dividend or distribution  with respect to the
          capital stock of the Company (other than dividends  payable in kind
          on  Preferred  Stock  initially  issued to Holding  under the Stock
          Purchase  Agreement  and on shares of Preferred  Stock so issued as
          dividends in kind,  in  accordance  with the terms of the Preferred
          Stock Certificate of Designations);

               (iii) Conduct a business other than the Business;

               (iv)  Establish  or approve  any of the  Company's  (x) annual
          capital  expenditure  budget,  (y)  annual  operating  plan  or (z)
          three-year business plan;

               (v) Sell,  purchase,  lease,  exchange  or  otherwise  acquire
          assets (including  securities) in a single  transaction or a series
          of  related  transactions,  if  such  assets  constitute  or  would
          constitute  substantial  assets  of the  Company  or any  direct or
          indirect  Subsidiary of the Company  (except  purchases of supplies
          and equipment and other transactions, such as temporary investments
          in cash  equivalents,  made in the ordinary  course of business) or
          redeem   Preferred   Stock  other  than  pursuant  to  a  Mandatory
          Redemption  Obligation  (as defined in and  provided  for under the
          Preferred Stock Certificate of Designations);

               (vi) Merge or consolidate with any other Person;

               (vii) Dissolve or liquidate;

               (viii) File a  voluntary  bankruptcy  petition or  voluntarily
          institute a similar proceeding;

               (ix) Enter into  transactions with Carlyle or Holding or their
          respective Affiliates (other than as contemplated by the Management
          Agreements and the Transaction Fee Agreements);

                                      2

<PAGE>



               (x) Settle or compromise  legal  actions,  tax claims or audit
          adjustments in amounts in excess of $500,000;

               (xi) Make initial and subsequent  elections or appointments of
          Management, any other officer of the Company or, except as provided
          in Section  2.4,  any  director  of any  Subsidiary,  or permit any
          Subsidiary  to  have  any  director  or  executive  officer  not so
          approved;

               (xii)  Amend  or  restate   the   Company's   Certificate   of
          Incorporation or Bylaws,  provided that any such amendment shall be
          subject to Section 2.1(b);

               (xiii) Enter into any agreement,  other than the  Registration
          Rights  Agreement  among  the  Company,  Holding  and  Carlyle,  to
          register or qualify any securities (including the Securities) under
          the  Securities  Act or any  state  securities  laws  or  file  any
          registration statement under the Securities Act;

               (xiv) Incur new  Indebtedness  in excess of $5,000,000  (other
          than draws on existing  revolving credit facilities in the ordinary
          course of business),  or refinance existing  Indebtedness in excess
          of  $5,000,000;  (xv)  Select  independent  accountants  or  make a
          significant change in accounting or tax principles;

               (xvi) Implement or amend executive  compensation  and employee
          benefit programs;

               (xvii) Change the size of the Board of Directors; and

               (xviii) Cause or permit the Company or any of its subsidiaries
          to enter  into  contractual  obligations  outside  of the  ordinary
          course of business.

          (c) The Board Super Majority Vote  provisions may be terminated (i)
by Carlyle, as provided in the last sentence of Section 3.8 or if at any time
Holding  and its  Affiliates  together  own  both  (A)  less  than 15% of the
outstanding  Common Stock of the Company and (B) no Preferred  Stock and (ii)
by Holding,  if at any time Carlyle and its Affiliates together own less than
15% of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company.


                                      3

<PAGE>



                                  ARTICLE 2

                              BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     2.1 Appointment and Elections.
     
          (a) Effective on the Closing Date, the Company's Board of Directors
     shall  have  seven  directors,  consisting  of (i) the  Chief  Executive
     Officer of the Company, (ii) three individuals designated by Holding and
     (iii) three individuals designated by Carlyle.

          (b) Subject to Section 2.3, each Party agrees to vote all shares of
     Common  Stock owned or held of record by such Party at each  election of
     directors of the Company after the Closing Date to elect three designees
     of Holding,  three designees of Carlyle and the Chief Executive  Officer
     of the Company.  In the event the Company,  with a Board Super  Majority
     Vote,  desires to increase  the number of  authorized  directors  of the
     Company  beyond the  foregoing,  any such increase  shall be in at least
     multiples of two  directors and Holding and Carlyle shall have the right
     to  designate  one  director  each for each  two  additional  authorized
     directors  and the Parties  agree to vote their  shares of Common  Stock
     accordingly.

     2.2  Removal.  If a director of the Company (i) has been  designated  by
Holding  and Holding  requests  by written  notice to Carlyle and the Company
that such  director  be  removed  (with or without  cause),  or (ii) has been
designated by Carlyle and Carlyle  requests by written  notice to Holding and
the Company that such director be removed (with or without cause),  then such
director  shall be  removed,  with or without  cause,  and each Party  hereby
agrees to vote all  shares of Common  Stock  owned or held of record by it to
effect such removal. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no director designated by
a Party shall be removed without the prior written consent of that Party.

     2.3  Vacancies.  In the event  that a vacancy is created on the Board of
Directors  of the  Company  at any  time by  death,  disability,  retirement,
resignation,  removal (with or without cause) or any other reason, each Party
hereby  agrees to vote all shares of Common  Stock owned or held of record by
it for the  individual  designated  to fill such  vacancy by the Party  whose
previously designated director vacated the Board of Directors of the Company;
provided,  that such designee may not previously  have been a director of the
Company or any of the Company's Subsidiaries who was removed for cause.

     2.4  Directors  of  Certain  Subsidiaries.   Following  the  Acquisition
Agreement  Closing Date,  the Parties  agree to take all necessary  action to
cause the Board of  Directors  of each of  Pechiney  Corporation  and  Howmet
Corporation to have at all times three authorized directors consisting of (i)
the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, (ii) one individual designated by
Holding and (iii) one individual designated by Carlyle.

     2.5 Termination.  The obligations of the Shareholders under Sections 2.1
through 2.4 shall terminate on the Voting Rights Termination Date.

                                      4

<PAGE>



     2.6 Cumulative  Voting.  Subject to the last sentence of Section 3.8, as
long as both Carlyle and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and Holding and its
Affiliates, on the other, own at least one-half of the Shares of Common Stock
issued  to  Carlyle  or  Holding,  respectively,  under  the  Stock  Purchase
Agreement,  neither  Carlyle nor Holding will, or will permit its  Affiliates
to, take any action to amend the Company's  Certificate of  Incorporation  to
eliminate cumulative voting as to the Common Stock.


                                  ARTICLE 3

                           TRANSFERS OF SECURITIES

     3.1 General Restriction.  No Shareholder shall sell,  transfer,  assign,
pledge,  hypothecate  or in any  way  alienate  ("Transfer")  any  Securities
without  complying with the terms of Section 3.2, Section 3.4 and Section 6.2
below.

     3.2 Right of Approval.  Until the sixth  anniversary of the Closing Date
(or, if later,  the day after the last day on which  Holding may purchase the
Call  Option  Shares  pursuant  to the Call  Option),  no  Shareholder  shall
Transfer  any  outstanding  Securities  without  the  consent of Carlyle  and
Holding  (which consent may be withheld by Carlyle or Holding in its sole and
absolute discretion),  other than in an Affiliate Transfer (as defined below)
made in strict  compliance  with  Section 3.4 or pursuant to Article 5 or the
Call Option.  No Party may Transfer any  outstanding  Securities  (i) if such
Transfer  would  cause a  default  under,  or  trigger  a change  of  control
repurchase  obligation  with  respect  to,  the  Senior  Debt  or the  Senior
Subordinated  Notes  without  obtaining  the  consent of Carlyle  and Holding
unless  adequate  provision  is made by the  Company for the  refinancing  or
repayment   of  such   indebtedness   on   terms   not   significantly   more
disadvantageous  to the  Company  than those of the  refinanced  indebtedness
after  giving  effect to any  prepayment,  make whole or  similar  premium or
penalty or (ii) if such  Transfer  would  require the  Preferred  Stock to be
redeemed pursuant to the Preferred Stock Certificate of Designations,  unless
the holders of 100% of the Preferred Stock have consented to such Transfer or
the  Preferred  Stock  will  be  redeemed  (or  purchased)  at the  Mandatory
Redemption   Price  (as  defined  in  the  Preferred  Stock   Certificate  of
Designations) concurrently with such Transfer.

     3.3  Legend.  All  certificates  representing  Securities  issued  to  a
Shareholder  shall bear the following  legend in addition to any other legend
required by law or by another provision of this or any other agreement:

     "THE SALE,  TRANSFER,  ASSIGNMENT,  PLEDGE OR  ENCUMBRANCE  OR ANY OTHER
     ALIENATION OF THE  SECURITIES  REPRESENTED BY THIS  CERTIFICATE  AND THE
     RIGHTS OF THE HOLDERS OF SUCH  SECURITIES  IN RESPECT OF THE ELECTION OF
     DIRECTORS AND OTHER MATTERS ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF A
     SHAREHOLDERS  AGREEMENT  DATED AS OF DECEMBER 13,  1995.  COPIES OF SUCH
     AGREEMENT MAY BE OBTAINED AT NO COST BY

                                      5

<PAGE>



     WRITTEN REQUEST MADE BY THE HOLDER OF RECORD OF THIS  CERTIFICATE TO THE
     SECRETARY OF BLADE ACQUISITION CORP."

     3.4 Certain  Restrictions.  Notwithstanding  any other provision of this
Agreement to the  contrary,  no Transfer of  Securities  (other than a Public
Transfer or a Transfer  pursuant to Section  6.1) may be effected  unless and
until the intended  transferee(s)  has acknowledged that the Securities to be
transferred are being transferred subject to the Security Interest created by
Article 5 hereto,  and the intended  transferee(s)  has agreed to be bound by
the  provisions  of this  Agreement  (including,  without  limitation,  those
related to Security Interests, the Call Option, the Co-Sale Rights, Transfers
and the Tag-Along Rights to the extent then applicable), in writing in a form
reasonably satisfactory to Holding and Carlyle. In addition,  until the sixth
anniversary of the Closing Date (or, if later,  the day after the last day on
which  Holding  may  purchase  the Call  Option  Shares  pursuant to the Call
Option),  no Transfer of Securities may be effected  unless and until (i) the
Security  Interest in the transferred  Securities  continues at all times and
remains after the Transfer a perfected,  first priority  security interest in
the transferred Securities,  securing the obligations under Articles 3, 4 and
5 and (ii) the non-transferring Shareholder receives an opinion of counsel of
national repute to the  transferring  Shareholder  (which counsel and opinion
shall be reasonably satisfactory to the non-transferring  Shareholder) to the
effect that the  agreement of the  transferee  is  enforceable  against it in
accordance  with its terms and as to  matters  set forth in clause  (i) above
(provided  that such opinion may contain  qualifications  and  exceptions  no
greater than those contained in the similar opinion set forth as Exhibit F to
the Stock  Purchase  Agreement).  Each such  transferee  shall succeed to the
obligations,  and the  rights,  of the  transferring  Shareholder  hereunder;
provided,  however,  that the rights to designate  directors  under Article 2
will not be transferable  without the consent of Shareholders  holding 85% or
more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock.

     3.5 Exempt  Transfers.  The  provisions  of Section  3.2 and Section 6.2
shall not apply to (i) the Transfer of Securities by a Shareholder  to any of
its  Affiliates (an  "Affiliate  Transfer")  (provided that the provisions of
Section 3.4 have been  strictly  complied with and that no more than ten (10)
Affiliates of Carlyle or ten (10) Affiliates of Holding own Securities at any
one  time)  or  (ii)  the  Transfer  of  Securities  by  a  Shareholder  in a
distribution  to the public pursuant to an effective  registration  statement
under the  Securities  Act (a "Public  Transfer");  provided that such Public
Transfer  occurs  following the sixth  anniversary of the Closing Date or, if
later,  the day after  the last  date on which  Holding  may  acquire  Shares
pursuant  to the Call Option (an  Affiliate  Transfer  and a Public  Transfer
being collectively referred to as an "Exempt Transfer").

     3.6 Improper  Transfer.  Any attempted Transfer of any Securities not in
accordance  with the  provisions of this Article 3 shall be null and void and
neither the Company nor any transfer agent of such Securities  shall give any
effect to such attempted  Transfer.  Except for Transfers pursuant to Section
6.1,  notwithstanding  anything to the contrary in this Agreement, as long as
Holding or its  Affiliates  own 25% or more of the Common Stock or any of the
Preferred Stock of the Company,  under no  circumstances  may Carlyle (or any
Affiliate of Carlyle)  Transfer any Securities to any person who, at the time
of the Transfer,  Beneficially  Owns 5% or more of any class of securities of
Thiokol
                                      6

<PAGE>



Corporation,  without the prior written consent of Holding, which consent may
be withheld by Holding in its sole and absolute discretion.

     3.7  Beneficial  Ownership  of Carlyle.  Without the consent of Holding,
Carlyle will not permit a change in the Beneficial Ownership of Carlyle or an
Affiliate  transferee  of  Carlyle if such  change (i) would  cause a default
under, or trigger a change of control repurchase  obligation with respect to,
the Senior Debt or the Senior Subordinated Notes unless adequate provision is
made by the Company for the refinancing or repayment of such  indebtedness on
terms not significantly more disadvantageous to the Company than those of the
refinanced indebtedness after giving effect to any prepayment,  make whole or
similar  premium  or  penalty  or (ii) if such  Transfer  occurs  during  the
six-year period  following the Closing Date and would result in TCG Holdings,
L.L.C. and its Affiliates ceasing to have an economically meaningful stake in
the  Company.  In  addition,  if during the three year period  following  the
Closing Date, there occurs a change in the ultimate  Beneficial  Ownership of
TCG Holdings, L.L.C. of more than 50% as a result of a single transaction (or
series of related  transactions),  from and after such  change in  Beneficial
Ownership, Holding shall have the immediate right to exercise the Call Option
in accordance with Article 4.

     3.8  Beneficial  Ownership  of Holding.  Without the consent of Carlyle,
Holding will not permit a change in the Beneficial  Ownership of Holding,  if
such change would (i) cause a default  under,  or trigger a change of control
repurchase  obligation  with  respect  to,  the  Senior  Debt  or the  Senior
Subordinated  Notes unless adequate  provision is made by the Company for the
refinancing or repayment of such indebtedness on terms not significantly more
disadvantageous  to the  Company  than those of the  refinanced  indebtedness
after  giving  effect to any  prepayment,  make whole or  similar  premium or
penalty or (ii) if such Transfer occurs during the six-year period  following
the Closing Date and as a result of such Transfer, Thiokol Corporation ceases
to have a  controlling  interest in Holding or such  Affiliate  transferee of
Holding.  If there is a Change of Control of Thiokol Corporation then (i) the
Board Super  Majority  Vote  provisions  will  terminate and (ii) Holding and
Carlyle will vote, and cause their affiliates to vote, their shares of Common
Stock of the Company to amend the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company
to eliminate cumulative voting.


                                  ARTICLE 4

                                 CALL OPTION

     4.1 Call  Option.  Carlyle  hereby  grants to Holding  during the Option
Period an option (the "Call  Option") to purchase  all, but not less than all
(except to the extent that  failure to  purchase  less than all is due to the
fault or the  failure of the  seller  obligated  to do so),  shares of Common
Stock (the "Call Option Shares")  purchased by Carlyle  pursuant to the Stock
Purchase   Agreement   (adjusted  to  reflect  stock  splits,   subdivisions,
combinations  or  similar  transactions)  at the Call  Price (as  hereinafter
defined).

     4.2 Term of Call  Option.  Subject to the last  sentence of Section 3.7,
the time period (the "Option  Period")  during which Holding may exercise the
Call Option shall commence on the day following the third  anniversary of the
Closing Date and shall end on

                                      7

<PAGE>



the sixth anniversary of the Closing Date; provided, however, that if Holding
has  provided a Valuation  Notice in  accordance  with Section 4.5 below with
respect to a Valuation Date falling  within the Option  Period,  then Holding
shall be entitled to exercise  the Call  Option in  accordance  with  Section
4.6(a) below with respect to the Written Determination  delivered pursuant to
such  Valuation  Notice,  whether  or not the  date of such  exercise  occurs
subsequent to the Option Period.

     4.3  Call Price. The Call Price shall be equal to the greater of:

          (a)  $102,000,000 (the "Base Price"), compounded at an annual rate of
     XX percent (XX%),  calculated  based on the time elapsed between the
     Closing Date and the Option Closing Date; and

          (b)  the sum  obtained  by  multiplying  "A" times "B" where "A" is a
     fraction,  the  numerator  of which is the number of Call Option  Shares
     being   purchased  and  the  denominator  of  which  is  the  number  of
     outstanding  shares of  Common  Stock and "B" is the sum of (i) the Fair
     Market Value (as  determined  pursuant to the  provisions of Section 4.4
     below) of the  Company on the  Valuation  Date,  plus (or minus) (ii) an
     amount equal to the increase  (decrease) in the Shareholder's  Equity of
     the Company from the Valuation Date to the option Closing Date (the "Net
     Worth Adjustment").

     4.4 Fair Market Value.  In order to determine from time to time the Fair
Market Value of the Company for purposes of  permitting  Holding to determine
whether to exercise the Call Option,  upon receipt of a Valuation  Notice (as
hereinafter  defined),  Holding and Carlyle shall use their  reasonable  best
efforts to mutually agree on the Fair Market Value of the Company, determined
as provided in Section  4.4(b),  as of the Valuation  Date. In the event they
are unable to agree  within ten  business  days of the date of the  Valuation
Notice (the "Consultation Period"), then the Fair Market Value of the Company
shall be determined by appraisal pursuant to this Section, as follows:

          (a) The Fair Market Value of the Company  shall be  determined  for
     the relevant Valuation Date by an appraiser mutually acceptable ("Agreed
     Appraiser") to Holding and Carlyle. The determination of the Fair Market
     Value of the Company by the Agreed Appraiser shall be final and binding.
     If Holding and Carlyle are unable to agree on an Agreed Appraiser within
     ten business  days  following  expiration  of the  Consultation  Period,
     Holding and Carlyle  shall each name an  appraiser  within ten  business
     days thereafter and each such appraiser shall conduct an appraisal under
     Section 4.4(b).  If either Holding or Carlyle fails to name an appraiser
     during such time period,  the determination of the appraiser selected by
     the other of Holding  and  Carlyle  shall be final and  binding.  If two
     appraisers are named,  and if the lower of the two resulting  appraisals
     is ninety-five percent or more of the higher appraisal,  the Fair Market
     Value of the Company shall be the average of the two appraisals.  If two
     appraisers are named and if the lower of the two resulting appraisals is
     less than  ninety-five  percent of the higher  appraisal,  the  original
     appraisers  shall  appoint a third  appraiser  within ten business  days
     after receipt of the later appraisal, whose determination of Fair Market
     Value, if between the two prior

                                      8

<PAGE>



     appraisals,  shall be final and binding. Otherwise, Fair Market Value of
     the  Company  shall  be the  average  of the  third  appraisal  and  the
     appraisal  that is  closest  in dollar  amount to it. In the event  that
     Holding elects to exercise the Call Option,  Carlyle shall bear the fees
     and expenses of the appraiser it designated,  if any, Holding shall bear
     the fees and  expenses  of the  appraiser  it  designated,  if any,  and
     Carlyle and Holding  will each pay  one-half of the fees and expenses of
     any other appraiser  named pursuant to this Section  4.4(a).  If Holding
     does not elect to  exercise  the Call  Option,  Holding  shall  bear the
     reasonable  fees and expenses of the  appraisers  named pursuant to this
     Section 4.4(a).

          (b)  The Fair Market  Value of the Company as of the  Valuation  Date
     shall be  determined,  assuming that the Preferred  Stock will have been
     redeemed  on the day  before  the  Valuation  Date and after  giving due
     regard  to the then  consolidated  assets,  liabilities,  contingencies,
     earnings  and  prospects  of the  Company  and  any  other  factors  the
     appraiser(s)  deem relevant,  using  accepted  valuation  practices.  In
     determining  the Fair  Market  Value of the  Company,  the  appraiser(s)
     appointed  under this Agreement shall set forth their  determination  in
     writing  together with their opinions and the  consideration  upon which
     the  opinions  are  based  (a  "Written  Determination"),  with a signed
     counterpart  to be  delivered to each  Shareholder  within sixty days of
     commencing appraisal. The Company shall provide access to the appraisers
     to all of its and its  Subsidiaries'  records,  except as  restricted by
     law, and to the Company's and its Subsidiaries'  employees,  in order to
     enable the appraisers to make their determination.  The appraisers, as a
     condition of their appointment,  agree to hold all such information that
     is  designated  as  such  by  the  Company  or  such   Subsidiaries   as
     confidential, pursuant to reasonable confidentiality agreements provided
     by the Company, in the same form, to each appraiser.

         (c) Any appraiser selected by Holding or Carlyle pursuant to
     Section 4.4(a) shall be of recognized  national standing with respect to
     the valuation of businesses.

     4.5 Valuation  Notice.  At any time no less than thirty days and no more
than sixty days prior to a Valuation Date (defined  below),  Holding shall be
entitled to give notice (the  "Valuation  Notice") to Carlyle and the Company
requiring  that the Fair Market Value of the Company be determined as of such
Valuation Date. The term "Valuation Date" shall mean a date within the Option
Period that is the end of a calendar quarter. A Valuation Notice may be given
by Holding only one time during any twelve-month  period, with the first such
twelve-month  period  beginning the day that is three years after the Closing
Date. For purposes of determining  the Call Price,  a  determination  of Fair
Market  Value of the Call  Option  Shares  pursuant  to Section  4.4 shall be
binding if Holding  exercises  the Call Option within ten business days after
receipt by Holding and Carlyle of the last Written Determination  required in
Section 4.4 (or ten business  days after Holding and Carlyle  mutually  agree
upon the Fair Market Value, if applicable).


                                      9

<PAGE>



     4.6 Exercise of Call Option.

          (a) The Call Option may be exercised  during the Option  Period (or
     subsequent  to the Option  Period to the extent set forth in the proviso
     of Section  4.2) at any time within ten business  days after  receipt by
     Holding of the last  Written  Determination  required in Section 4.4 (or
     ten business days after Holding and Carlyle mutually agree upon the Fair
     Market Value,  if applicable) by Holding  delivering a written notice of
     exercise  ("Exercise Notice") to Carlyle specifying the date, which date
     shall be at least five days after the date of the Exercise Notice but no
     later than 75 days after such date, upon which Holding shall acquire the
     Call Option Shares (the "Option Closing Date") (provided,  however, that
     the Option Closing Date may be extended for up to 75 additional  days if
     necessary in order to obtain requisite  governmental  approvals,  and if
     the Option Closing Date is so extended, the Option Closing Date shall be
     the fifth business day following receipt of such requisite  governmental
     approvals).  Such  exercise  of the Call  Option may be subject to (i) a
     financing contingency ("Financing Contingency"),  (ii) there having been
     no material  adverse change in the assets,  liabilities  and business of
     the Company and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  subsequent to the
     Valuation Date (the "Material Adverse Change  Contingency") and (iii) to
     the  conditions  set forth in Section  4.6(b) below.  If the Call Option
     Shares are not purchased  because the Financing  Contingency  and/or the
     Material  Adverse  Change  Contingency  is not  satisfied,  the right to
     exercise the Call Option in future period(s) will not be lost,  assuming
     Holding could otherwise give a Valuation Notice in such future period or
     periods.  If the Call Option Shares are not purchased because any of the
     conditions  in  Section  4.6(b)  are not  met,  none of the  rights  and
     remedies  of any  Person  will be lost as a result of the  purchase  not
     occurring.

          (b) The closing of  Holding's  acquisition  of Call  Option  Shares
     pursuant  to the  exercise  of the Call  Option  shall take place at the
     principal  offices of  counsel  to  Holding at 10:00 a.m.  on the Option
     Closing  Date.  Holding shall deliver to Carlyle the portion of the Call
     Price then  payable in  Immediately  Available  Funds,  as  provided  in
     Section 4.6(d) below, and Carlyle shall deliver to Holding  certificates
     evidencing  the Call Option  Shares  being  acquired  by  Holding,  duly
     endorsed for transfer.  It shall be a condition to Holding's  obligation
     to  purchase  the  Call  Option  Shares  at such  closing  that  (i) the
     representations  and  warranties  set forth in clause  (i) of the second
     sentence  of Section  4.7(a)  shall be true and correct as of the Option
     Closing Date, (ii) Holding shall have received a certificate of Carlyle,
     signed  by each of its  General  Partners,  to such  effect,  and  (iii)
     Holding shall have received the opinion of counsel of national repute to
     Carlyle  as to the  matters  set  forth in  clauses  (i) and (ii) of the
     second  sentence of Section  4.7(a),  which counsel and opinion shall be
     reasonably  satisfactory  to Holding  (provided that such opinion may be
     qualified with respect to Liens of which Holding has actual knowledge or
     has created and as to agreements  known to such counsel).  It shall be a
     condition to the obligation of each of Holding and Carlyle to consummate
     the  sale of the Call  Option  Shares  being  sold to  Holding  that all
     necessary  consents,  approvals and  authorizations of third parties and
     governmental  agencies  required  to be  obtained  with  respect  to the
     acquisition  of the Call Option Shares  (including  compliance  with all
     necessary requirements under

                                      10

<PAGE>



     the HSR Act) shall have been  obtained  as of the Option  Closing  Date;
     provided  that each of the  Company,  Holding  and  Carlyle  shall  take
     whatever  steps  are  reasonably  necessary  to  obtain  such  consents,
     approvals and  authorizations  to permit the legal  transfer of the Call
     Option Shares to Holding and to ensure that  Holding's  consummation  of
     the  purchase  of the Call  Option  Shares  will not  create an event of
     default  under  the  Company's  or  any  of  its  Subsidiaries'   credit
     agreements  or give rise to an  acceleration  or  requirement  to make a
     change of control offer with respect to any  indebtedness of the Company
     or any of its Subsidiaries (provided that Holding shall not be obligated
     to dispose of any assets to obtain any such  consent,  authorization  or
     approval).  Holding and  Carlyle  shall  share  equally  all  reasonable
     expenses incurred in connection with obtaining such consents,  approvals
     and  authorizations  and shall each pay one-half of any filing fee under
     the HSR Act).

          (c) Holding and Carlyle will share equally all U.S. federal,  state
     and local transfer taxes (which term shall include any governmental fees
     or assessments generally applicable to capital stock transfers), if any,
     attributable  to the  delivery  of the Call Option  Shares.  Any foreign
     transfer  taxes shall be paid (i) by Carlyle,  if such taxes are imposed
     by virtue of Carlyle's foreign residence or activities or removal of the
     Call Option Shares to a foreign  jurisdiction,  and (ii) by Holding,  if
     such taxes are  imposed  by virtue of  Holding's  (or its  Transferee's)
     foreign residence or activities.

          (d) Carlyle and Holding  recognize  that it will not be possible to
     fully  calculate the Net Worth  Adjustment  at the Option  Closing Date,
     since the Stockholders' Equity as of the Option Closing Date will not be
     known at that date. Accordingly, the portion of the Net Worth Adjustment
     payable at the Option Closing Date (the "Initial Net Worth  Adjustment")
     will  be  the  difference   (whether   positive  or  negative)   between
     Stockholders'  Equity of the Company at the Valuation Date, as reflected
     on the unaudited  quarterly or year-end audited financial  statements of
     the Company as of the Valuation  Date, and the  Stockholders'  Equity of
     the Company at the most recent quarter end (which may be a year end) for
     which  financial  statements  of the Company are available at the Option
     Closing Date (the "Last Available Financial  Statement"),  multiplied by
     the fraction which is "A" in Section 4.3(b).  If the most recent quarter
     end for which  financial  statements are available at the Option Closing
     Date is the  quarter  ending on the  Valuation  Date,  then no Net Worth
     Adjustment  will be made as of the Option  Closing Date. If there is any
     dispute  as to the  amount of the  Initial  Net Worth  Adjustment,  such
     dispute shall be resolved at the time the Net Worth  Adjustment  Balance
     is determined  pursuant to Section 4.3(g) below,  and for the purpose of
     determining  the amount  payable on the Option Closing Date, the Initial
     Net Worth  Adjustment  shall be calculated by reference to Stockholders'
     Equity on the Company's  balance sheets as of the Valuation Date and the
     date of the Last Available Financial Statement.

          (e) As soon as practicable  (but in no event later than 90 calendar
     days following the Option Closing Date), Holding shall cause the Company
     to  prepare,  and the  Company's  independent  accountants  to prepare a
     review report with respect to, a consolidated  combined balance sheet of
     the Company and the Subsidiaries as of the

                                      11

<PAGE>



     Option  Closing Date (the "Closing  Balance  Sheet") and shall cause the
     Closing  Balance Sheet and such review report to be delivered to Holding
     and  Carlyle.  The "Net Worth  Adjustment  Balance"  shall equal (i) the
     Stockholders'  Equity as of the Option  Closing  Date as reported on the
     Closing Balance Sheet minus the  Stockholders'  Equity as of the date of
     the  Last  Available  Financial  Statement  Date  (whether  positive  or
     negative),  multiplied  by (ii)  the  fraction  that  is "A" in  Section
     4.3(b). The Initial Net Worth Adjustment,  plus the Net Worth Adjustment
     Balance, shall equal the Net Worth Adjustment.

          (f) In  calculating  Stockholders'  Equity at each  relevant  date,
     Stockholders'  Equity on the balance sheets in the financial  statements
     referred  to above  will be  determined  in  accordance  with  generally
     accepted  accounting  principles as in effect on the Valuation Date used
     by the Company,  consistently  applied  (provided that no amount will be
     included for increases or decreases  after the  Valuation  Date that are
     attributable to the issuances of securities by the Company or any of its
     Subsidiaries),  provided  that, in determining  consolidated  net income
     (loss) of the  Company  for the period  from the  Valuation  Date to the
     Closing Date (the "Interim Period") and associated increases (decreases)
     in Stockholders'  Equity as of the date of the Last Available  Financial
     Statement and the date of the Closing  Balance Sheet, it will be assumed
     that, during the Interim Period, the Preferred Stock bears interest at a
     10% rate per annum (compounded quarterly) in lieu of a 9% rate per annum
     (compounded quarterly).

          (g) The  Company  will make  available  to Carlyle  and Holding all
     information   either   reasonably   requests  in  connection   with  the
     determination of Stockholders' Equity on the Valuation Date, the date of
     the Last  Available  Financial  Statement  and the  date of the  Closing
     Balance Sheet.  Unless either  Carlyle or Holding  objects by delivering
     written  notice (the  "Objection  Notice") to the other party  within 15
     days of receiving the Last Available  Financial Statement or the Closing
     Balance Sheet, the amount of Stockholders' Equity set forth in each such
     financial  statement will be binding. In the event of any disputes as to
     the Initial Net Worth  Adjustment or the Net Worth  Adjustment  Balance,
     Carlyle and Holding  shall  negotiate  in good faith to  reconcile  such
     disputes.  To the extent such disputes have not been resolved  within 25
     business  days  after  delivery  of  the  Closing  Balance  Sheet,   one
     accounting firm selected by each of Holding and Carlyle shall attempt to
     reconcile  the  remaining  disputes,  and any  resolution  by them as to
     disputed  items shall be final,  binding and  conclusive.  If  Holding's
     accountants  and Carlyle's  accountants are unable to reach a resolution
     on all disputed items,  they shall submit the items remaining in dispute
     to an independent  accounting  firm of national  repute that is mutually
     acceptable  to Holding and  Carlyle,  which  accounting  firm shall,  as
     promptly as  practicable,  resolve such  dispute or  disputes,  and such
     resolution shall be final,  binding and conclusive.  Each of Carlyle and
     Holding  shall pay for the fees and  expenses of their own  accountants,
     and all fees and expenses of any third accountant shall be split equally
     between Holding and Carlyle.

          (h) If the Initial Net Worth Adjustment or the Net Worth Adjustment
     Balance,  as the case may be, is  positive,  the amount  thereof will be
     payable by
                                       12

<PAGE>



     Holding to  Carlyle.   If  the Initial  Net  Worth Adjustment or the Net
     Worth Adjustment  Balance,  as the case may be, is negative,  the amount
     thereof  will be payable by Carlyle to  Holding.  The amount due will be
     paid, in Immediately Available Funds, at the Option Closing Date, in the
     case of the Initial Net Worth  Adjustment  (other than  disputed  amount
     with  respect  thereto)  and in the  case  of the Net  Worth  Adjustment
     Balance  (and  disputed  amounts  with  respect to the Initial Net Worth
     Adjustment),  within two business days after  determination  of such Net
     Worth  Adjustment  Balance  (and any such  disputes  with respect to the
     Initial Net Worth  Adjustment),  in accordance with Section 4.3(g).  4.7
     Representations and Warranties.

          (a) Carlyle  represents and warrants to Holding that it owns all of
     the Call  Option  Shares  free and  clear  of all  liens,  encumbrances,
     security agreements,  options, claims, charges,  restrictions and rights
     of  third  parties  or  any  type  of  description   whatsoever  (except
     restrictions  of general  applicability  imposed  by  federal  and state
     securities laws and those restrictions and the security interest created
     by this Agreement) ("Liens"). Carlyle agrees that it will not create any
     Lien on the Call Option  Shares until after the last day the Call Option
     Shares can be  purchased by Holding  under the Call Option;  and Carlyle
     represents  and  warrants  that (i) upon the  purchase by Holding of the
     Call Option Shares and payment in full of the purchase  price  therefor,
     Holding will acquire the Call Option  Shares free and clear of any Liens
     and (ii) the  sale of the Call  Option  Shares  to  Holding  by  Carlyle
     pursuant to the Call Option will not result in a default under or breach
     of or  conflict  with any  agreement  to which  Carlyle is a party or by
     which it or any of its assets is bound or result in the violation of any
     law, rule or regulation applicable to Carlyle.

          (b) Holding  represents and warrants to Carlyle that (i) Holding is
     acquiring  the Call Option and will  acquire the Call Option  Shares for
     its own account and not with a view to distribution and (ii) the sale of
     the Call Option Shares to Holding by Carlyle pursuant to the Call Option
     will not  result in a default  under or breach of or  conflict  with any
     agreement  to  which  Holding  is a party  or by  which it or any of its
     assets  is  bound  or  result  in the  violation  of any  law,  rule  or
     regulation  applicable to Holding.  Holding  acknowledges  that the Call
     Option and the Call Option Shares have not been  registered or qualified
     under  the  Securities  Act of 1933 or any  state  securities  law,  and
     therefore  cannot  be  resold  by  Holding  unless  they  have  been  so
     registered  or  qualified  or  an  exemption   from   registration   and
     qualification is available.

     4.8 Legend. The certificates evidencing the Common Stock held by Carlyle
will be endorsed with the following legend:

          "THE  SECURITIES  EVIDENCED BY THIS  CERTIFICATE  ARE SUBJECT TO AN
          OPTION TO PURCHASE AS SET FORTH IN A SHAREHOLDERS  AGREEMENT  DATED
          AS OF DECEMBER 13, 1995.  COPIES OF SUCH  AGREEMENT MAY BE OBTAINED
          AT NO COST BY WRITTEN

                                      13

<PAGE>



          REQUEST MADE BY THE HOLDER OF THIS  CERTIFICATE TO THE SECRETARY OF
          BLADE ACQUISITION CORP."

     4.9  Assignment  of Call Option.  Holding  shall not transfer its rights
under the Call Option without  Carlyle's prior written consent (which consent
may be withheld  by Carlyle in its sole and  absolute  discretion),  provided
that Holding may so transfer the Call Option to its parent  corporation or to
any Affiliate of Holding without such consent.


                                  ARTICLE 5

                              SECURITY AGREEMENT


     5.1 Security Interests.

          (a) To secure the  obligations of Holding to Carlyle under Articles
     3, 4 and 5 of this Agreement and any damages arising from (i) the breach
     by  Holding  of any of such  provisions  and/or  (ii) the  rejection  by
     Holding,  as  debtor  or  debtor in  possession,  or by any  trustee  in
     bankruptcy for Holding, of Holding's obligations under Articles 3, 4 and
     5 of this  Agreement,  Holding  hereby  grants to  Carlyle a  continuing
     security  interest in the shares of Common Stock and Preferred  Stock of
     the Company and all proceeds of the foregoing  being  acquired by it and
     to be acquired by it as dividends on the Preferred Stock (together,  the
     "Holding Company  Securities").  To perfect such security interest,  the
     Holding Company Securities and stock powers executed in blank by Holding
     with respect thereto will at all times commencing with their issuance to
     the Security  Interest  Termination  Date be held by The First  National
     Bank of  Chicago  (or  another  institution)  ("Bank")  pursuant  to the
     Collateral  Custodial  Agreement  in the form of  Exhibit J to the Stock
     Purchase  Agreement  (the  "Collateral  Custodial  Agreement").  Holding
     represents  and  warrants to Carlyle  that at all times to the  Security
     Interest  Termination  Date  such  security  interest  will  be a  first
     priority,  perfected,  non-preferential  security  interest  in favor of
     Carlyle.

          (b) To secure the  obligations of Carlyle to Holding under Articles
     3, 4 and 5 of this Agreement and any damages arising from (i) the breach
     by  Carlyle  of any of such  provisions  and/or  (ii) the  rejection  by
     Carlyle,  as debtor in  possession,  or by any trustee in bankruptcy for
     Carlyle,  of  Carlyle's  obligations  under  Articles 3, 4 and 5 of this
     Agreement,  Carlyle  hereby  grants  to  Holding a  continuing  security
     interest in the shares of Common  Stock of the Company and all  proceeds
     of the foregoing  being  acquired by it pursuant to this  Agreement (the
     "Carlyle Company  Securities").  To perfect such security interest,  the
     Carlyle  Company  Securities  and a stock  power  executed  in  blank by
     Carlyle with respect  thereto  will at all times  commencing  with their
     issuance  to the  Security  Interest  Termination  Date  be held by Bank
     pursuant to the Collateral Custodial  Agreement.  Carlyle represents and
     warrants  to  Holding  that  at  all  times  to  the  Security  Interest
     Termination  Date  such  security  interest  will be a  first  priority,
     perfected, non-preferential security interest in favor of Holding.

                                      14

<PAGE>




     5.2 Remedies.  Upon a breach by any Shareholder of its obligations under
Article 3, 4 and 5 of this  Agreement,  the party to which such obligation is
owed, in addition to any other rights and remedies it may have, will have the
rights  of  a  secured  party  upon  default  under  the  applicable  Uniform
Commercial Code with respect to such Securities.

     5.3   Collateral   Custodial   Agreement.   Carlyle  and  Holding  will,
simultaneously  with entering into this Agreement,  enter into the Collateral
Custodial  Agreement pursuant to which, among other things, the Bank will, to
perfect the security  interests  granted  under this Article 5, agree to hold
the  Holding  Company  Securities  and  the  Carlyle  Company  Securities  as
Collateral  Agent for each of Holding  and  Carlyle,  respectively,  as their
interests may appear, and such Holding Company Securities and Carlyle Company
Securities  will, upon issuance,  be delivered to the Bank,  along with stock
powers  executed in blank with respect  thereto by Holding and  Carlyle.  The
fees and expenses of the Bank under the Collateral  Custodial  Agreement will
be paid one-half by Holding and one-half by Carlyle.

     5.4  Security   Interest   Termination   Date.  The  Security   Interest
Termination Date will occur upon the earlier to occur of purchase of the Call
Option Shares pursuant to the Call Option and payment in full therefor or one
day  after the last date on which the Call  Option  Shares  can be  purchased
pursuant to the Call Option.

     5.5 Notice to Collateral Agent. The Parties agree to give notices to the
Collateral  Agent to implement their  agreements under Articles 3, 4 and 5 of
this Agreement.

     5.6 Security Agreement. This Article 5 is a security agreement.


                                  ARTICLE 6

                          CO-SALE; TAG-ALONG RIGHTS

     6.1  Co-Sale.  In the event  Holding has not  exercised  the Call Option
provided for in Article 4, at any time following the sixth anniversary of the
Closing  Date,  if  Holding or Carlyle  locate a  purchaser(s)  of all of the
Securities or of all or substantially all the Company's and its subsidiaries'
assets,  pursuant  to a sale,  merger  or  similar  transaction  in which the
holders of the same class of Securities  will be treated  identically and the
return to all  Shareholders is maximized,  the  Shareholders  hereby agree to
vote their shares of Securities in favor of such  transaction and to sell all
Securities  owned by them to such  purchaser(s)  or to otherwise  effect such
transaction.  In no event shall such a transaction require Holding or Carlyle
or any other  Shareholder  to enter into any form of covenant not to compete.
In seeking  such a  purchaser,  Carlyle and Holding  will  require  potential
purchasers  to  agree  to  keep  confidential  all  information  the  Company
designates as  confidential  subject to a  then-conventional  confidentiality
agreement  in form and  substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to  Carlyle  and
Holding.  Any such sale pursuant to Section 6.1 shall be subject to the prior
or  contemporaneous  redemption  or purchase,  in each case of the  Preferred
Stock at the Mandatory  Redemption  Price (as defined in the Preferred  Stock
Certificate of Designations).

                                      15

<PAGE>


     6.2 Tag-Along Rights.

          (a) Holding and Carlyle (each a "Selling  Shareholder")  agree that
     each  shall  not  Transfer  shares  of  Common  Stock  held  by it to an
     unaffiliated  third  party or parties  ("Third  Party")  (other  than in
     Exempt  Transfers  or sales  under  Section  6.1  above,  to  which  the
     provisions  of this  Section  6.2 do not  apply),  unless  the terms and
     conditions of such Transfer  shall include an offer to each of the other
     Shareholders  ("Other  Shareholders")  to include in the transfer to the
     Third Party, at such Other  Shareholder's  option and on the Third Party
     Terms,  an amount of the Shares  determined in  accordance  with Section
     6.2(c) (the "Tag-Along Rights"). A Transfer of Beneficial Ownership that
     is, in substance,  a Transfer of shares of Common Stock to a Third Party
     will be  deemed  to be a  Transfer  to  which  Tag-Along  Rights  apply,
     provided  that  Transfers  of less  than a  majority  of the  Beneficial
     Ownership of Carlyle and its Affiliates or Holding and its Affiliates or
     Transfers in which partners of Carlyle and/or their limited  partners or
     other owners are not acting in concert will be deemed to be Transfers as
     to which Tag-Along Rights do not apply.

          (b) The Selling  Shareholder  shall deliver  notice to the Company,
     Carlyle and Holding and notify each Other  Shareholder  of any  proposed
     Transfer  to which the  provisions  of this  Section  6.2 apply (a "Sale
     Notice").  Each Sale Notice  shall set forth:  (i) the name of the Third
     Party  and  the  number  of  shares  of  Common  Stock  proposed  to  be
     transferred,  (ii) the address of the Third  Party,  (iii) the  proposed
     amount and form of  consideration  and terms and  conditions  of payment
     offered by the Third Party,  and any other material terms  pertaining to
     the Transfer  (the "Third Party  Terms"),  and (iv) that the Third Party
     has been informed of the Tag-Along  Rights  provided for in this Section
     6.2 and has agreed to abide by the terms of the  Tag-Along  Rights.

          (c)  Following  delivery  of a  Sale  Notice,  each  of  the  Other
     Shareholders  shall  have the  option to sell to the Third  Party on the
     Third Party Terms an amount of Shares  calculated as follows:  The Third
     Party shall be required to purchase from each Other Shareholder desiring
     to  participate in such  transaction  the number of Shares owned by such
     Other  Shareholder  equaling  the  lesser of (x) the  number  derived by
     multiplying  (i) the total number of Shares to be purchased by the Third
     Party by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the aggregate number
     of Shares owned by such Other  Shareholder  and the denominator of which
     is the number of Shares then owned in the aggregate by all  Shareholders
     (provided that if the Shareholders obligated to provide Tag-Along Rights
     are  Affiliates  of Holding,  then Carlyle shall have the first right to
     supply such Tag-Along Shares and if the Shareholder obligated to provide
     Tag-Along Rights are Affiliates of Carlyle,  then Holding shall have the
     first right to supply such Tag-Along Shares),  or (y) such lesser number
     of shares as the Other  Shareholder  shall  designate  in the  Tag-Along
     Notice (defined  below).  The Tag-Along Rights set forth in this Section
     6.2(c)  may be  exercised  by any Other  Shareholder  by  delivery  of a
     written  notice  to  the  Company  and  the  Selling   Shareholder  (the
     "Tag-Along  Notice") within thirty (30) days following receipt of a Sale
     Notice (the "Tag-Along  Period").  The Tag-Along  Notice shall state the
     number of Shares that such Other Shareholder wishes to include in such

                                      16

<PAGE>



     transfer to the Third Party. Upon the giving of a Tag-Along Notice, such
     Other  Shareholder shall be entitled and obligated to sell the number of
     Shares set forth in the Tag-Along Notice to the Third Party on the Third
     Party Terms; provided, however, that neither the Selling Shareholder nor
     any such  Other  Shareholder  shall  consummate  the sale of any  shares
     offered by it if the Third Party does not  purchase all shares which the
     Selling  Shareholder and Other  Shareholders  are entitled and desire to
     sell pursuant hereto.

          At the  closing of the  Transfer  to any Third  Party (of which the
     Selling Shareholder shall give each Other Shareholder who has elected to
     exercise the Tag- Along Right  provided by this Section  6.2(b) at least
     five business days' prior written  notice),  the Third Party shall remit
     to each Shareholder the  consideration  for the total sales price of the
     Shares of such  Shareholder sold pursuant  thereto,  against delivery by
     such Shareholder of certificates for such Shares,  duly endorsed or with
     duly executed stock powers and the compliance by such  Shareholder  with
     any other  conditions  to closing  generally  applicable  to the Selling
     Shareholder   and  all  Other   Shareholders   selling  shares  in  such
     transaction.

          (d) If the  provisions  of this Section 6.2 have been complied with
     in all  respects,  the  Selling  Shareholder  shall have the right for a
     120-day  period  following  delivery of the Sale Notice to transfer  the
     shares of Common  Stock to the Third  Party on the Third Party Terms (or
     on other terms no more  favorable  to the Selling  Shareholder)  without
     further  notice to Other  Shareholders  who have not  given a  Tag-Along
     Notice,  but after  such  120-day  period no such  transfer  may be made
     without  again giving notice to all Other  Shareholders  of the proposed
     transfer and complying with the requirements of this Section 6.2.

          (e)   Notwithstanding  the  foregoing  and  subject  to  the  other
     termination provisions in this Agreement,  the Tag-Along Rights provided
     by this  Section  6.2 shall  terminate  on the date on which a number of
     shares of Common Stock equal to at least  twenty-five  percent  (25%) of
     the aggregate number of the Company's then outstanding  shares of Common
     Stock  have  been  distributed  to the  public  pursuant  to one or more
     effective  registration  statements  under  the  Securities  Act  and/or
     pursuant to Rule 144  promulgated  thereunder,  provided that the Common
     Stock is then  publicly  traded on the New York  Stock  Exchange  or the
     Nasdaq National Market System.


                                      17

<PAGE>



                                  ARTICLE 7

                                  COVENANTS

     7.1 Books of Account. The Company shall keep books of record and account
in which  accurate  entries  are made of all of its  dealings,  business  and
affairs  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted   accounting   principles,
consistently  applied,  and shall  employ  certified  public  accountants  of
recognized national standing who are "independent"  within the meaning of the
accounting regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The
Company's fiscal year shall be a calendar year.

     7.2 Furnishing of Annual and Quarterly Financial  Statements.  Following
the Closing, the Company shall:

          (a) deliver to  Shareholders,  within 90 days after the end of each
     fiscal  year of the Company  (or such  additional  period of time as may
     reasonably be required), a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and
     its  subsidiaries  as of the  end of such  fiscal  year,  together  with
     related consolidated  statements of income and changes in cash flows for
     such fiscal year,  setting forth in comparative  form financial  figures
     for  the  previous  fiscal  year,  all in  reasonable  detail  and  duly
     certified by independent  public  accountants,  which  accountants shall
     have given to the  Company  an  opinion  (as this term is defined in the
     published rules,  regulations and  pronouncements  of the SEC) regarding
     such statements; and

          (b) deliver to  Shareholders,  within 45 days after the end of each
     fiscal  quarter of the Company's  fiscal year a  consolidated  unaudited
     balance  sheet and  unaudited  statements  of  consolidated  income  and
     changes  in cash  flows  as of the end of and for  such  fiscal  quarter
     certified by the principal financial officer of the Company.

     7.3  Furnishing of Financial  Information.  Following  the Closing,  the
Management of the Company shall present annually to the Board of Directors of
the Company long-term  three-year  business plans, annual capital expenditure
budgets and annual operating plans of the Company.

     7.4 Notice of Certain Events.  Following the Closing,  the Company shall
promptly  give  written  notice to Carlyle and Holding of (a) any casualty to
any property, force majeure,  legislative or regulatory change, revocation of
license  or  right  to do  business,  accident,  labor  dispute,  act of God,
confiscation or condemnation, requisition, embargo, whether or not covered by
insurance,  the result of any of which could have a material  adverse  effect
upon the financial condition, business or prospects of the Company taken as a
whole,  (b) any  litigation,  action,  proceeding,  investigation  or  claim,
including,  without  limitation,  those  involving a  governmental  agency or
regulatory  body,  which  (i)  relates  in  whole  or in  part  to any of the
transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,  or the Related  Documents,  or
(ii) in the event of an adverse outcome, could have a material adverse effect
upon the financial condition, business or prospects of the Company taken as a
whole.


                                      18

<PAGE>



     7.5  Amendments  and  Modifications.  The Company  shall  furnish to the
Shareholders  promptly  (a) at least 15 days prior to the  adoption  thereof,
copies of all proposed  amendments to the  Certificate  of  Incorporation  or
Bylaws  of  the  Company  or  comparable  charter  documents  of  any  of its
subsidiaries, if any.

     7.6 Insurance. At all times the Company shall maintain, with financially
sound and reputable  insurers,  insurance  with respect to its properties and
business  against such casualties and  contingencies,  of such types, in such
amounts  and with such  deductible  amounts  as is  customary  in the case of
businesses  of  established  reputations  engaged  in the  same or a  similar
business and similarly  situated.  The Company shall provide evidence of such
insurance to the Shareholders upon request.

     7.7  Compliance  with Laws.  The Company  shall  comply in all  material
respects  with all laws,  rules,  regulations,  orders and  directives of any
governmental or regulatory  authority having jurisdiction over the Company or
its  businesses,  and with all material  agreements to which the Company is a
party.

     7.8 Taxes and Other  Liabilities.  The Company shall pay all obligations
of the Company when due, pay all taxes and other  governmental  or regulatory
assessments before delinquency or before any penalty attaches thereto, except
as may be contested in good faith in  proceedings  diligently  pursued and by
creating the appropriate reserves, and timely file all required tax returns.

     7.9 Rights of Access. The Company shall provide each of the Shareholders
such access to its books and records as is reasonably  required in connection
with any rights granted to such Shareholder  pursuant to Article 4 or Section
6.2 of this Agreement.


                                  ARTICLE 8

                                 TERMINATION

     8.1  Termination.  This Agreement shall terminate upon the occurrence of
any one of the following events:

          (a) The  acquisition  of the Call  Option  Shares  pursuant  to the
     exercise  of the Call  Option  or a sale of all of the  shares of Common
     Stock and Preferred Stock owned by Carlyle, Holding and their respective
     Affiliate Transferees; or

          (b)  Upon the  affirmative  vote of 85% of the  outstanding  Common
     Stock (provided that the Preferred Stock is no longer outstanding).

Upon the termination of this Agreement, the Shareholders whose Securities are
legended   pursuant  to  this  Agreement  shall  surrender  the  certificates
representing  their shares to the Company and the Company shall issue to them
in lieu thereof new  certificates  for an equal number of shares  without the
legend set forth in Sections 3.2 and 4.8 of this Agreement.

                                      19

<PAGE>





                                  ARTICLE 9

                                MISCELLANEOUS


     9.1  Notices.  Any notice or other  communication  required or permitted
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered  personally,  or sent by
facsimile  transmission  or sent by  certified,  registered  or express mail,
postage  prepaid.  Any such notice  shall be deemed  given when so  delivered
personally,  or sent by  facsimile  transmission  or,  if  mailed,  three (3)
business  days  after the date of  deposit  in the  United  States  mail,  by
certified  mail  return  receipt  requested  (if also  sent by  facsimile  if
available at the office of the recipient), as follows:

                                    If to Carlyle, to:

                                    Carlyle-Blade Acquisition Partners, L.P.
                                    1001 Pennsylvania Avenue
                                    Suite 220 South
                                    Washington, D.C. 20004-2505
                                    Attention:     William E. Conway, Jr.
                                    Telecopier:    (202) 347-1818

                                    with a copy to:

                                    Latham & Watkins
                                    1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
                                    Suite 1300
                                    Washington, D.C. 20004
                                    Attention:       Bruce E. Rosenblum
                                    Telecopier:      (202) 637-2201


                      If to Blade Acquisition Corp., to:

                                    Blade Acquisition Corp.
                                    c/o The Carlyle Group, L.P.
                                    1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
                                    Suite 220 South
                                    Washington, D.C.  20004
                                    Attention:        William E. Conway, Jr.
                                    Telecopier:       (202) 347-1818
                                    with a copy to:

                                    Latham & Watkins

                                      20

<PAGE>



                                    1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
                                    Suite 1300
                                    Washington, D.C.  20004
                                    Attention:        Bruce E. Rosenblum
                                    Telecopier:       (202) 637-2201


                                    If to Holding, to:

                                    Thiokol Holding Company
                                    2475 Washington Boulevard
                                    Ogden, UT  84401-2398
                                    Attention:        R. Robert Harris,
                                                      Corporate Vice President
                                                      and General Counsel
                                    Telecopier:       (801) 629-2420

                                    with a copy to:

                                    Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
                                    333 South Grand Avenue
                                    Los Angeles, CA 90071
                                    Attention:        Steven Meiers
                                    Telecopier:       (213) 229-7520

Any Party,  by notice given in accordance  with this Section 9.1 to the other
Parties,  may  designate  another  address or person  for  receipt of notices
hereunder.

     9.2  Reclassification,  Reorganization,  Merger,  etc.  The  rights  and
restrictions  contained in this Agreement with respect to Securities  held by
any  Shareholders  apply to all  Securities  held on the date  hereof and any
Securities   acquired   in  the  future   whether  by   purchase,   exchange,
reclassification,  reorganization, stock split, dividend, any other change in
the Company's capital structure or otherwise.

     9.3 Waivers and Amendments;  Non-Contractual  Remedies;  Preservation of
Remedies. This Agreement may be amended,  superseded,  cancelled,  renewed or
extended,  and the terms  hereof may be waived  only by a written  instrument
signed by  holders  of at least 85% of the  outstanding  Shares  (100% of all
outstanding  shares of Common Stock if any  Preferred  Stock is  outstanding)
and,  if  prior to the  Voting  Rights  Termination  Date,  by a Board  Super
Majority Vote, or, in the case of a waiver, by the Party waiving  compliance.
No delay on the part of any Party or  Shareholder  in  exercising  any right,
power or privilege  hereunder  shall  operate as a waiver  thereof  except as
expressly  provided herein. No waiver on the part of any Party or Shareholder
of any right,  power or privilege,  nor any single or partial exercise of any
such right,  power or privilege,  shall preclude any further exercise thereof
or the exercise of any other such right,  power or privilege.  The rights and
remedies  herein  provided are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights
or remedies that any party may otherwise have at law or in equity.

                                      21

<PAGE>




     9.4 Governing Law. This Agreement  shall be governed by and construed in
accordance  with the substantive and procedural laws of the State of New York
applicable to agreements made and to be performed  entirely within such State
(without giving effect to any conflict of laws principles which might require
application of the law of a different jurisdiction), except as to any matters
relating to the  corporate  governance  or the capital  stock of the Company,
which shall be governed by the law of the State of Delaware.

     9.5  Arbitration  of Disputes.  Any  controversy or claim arising out of
this Agreement, or any breach of this Agreement, including any controversy or
claim as to arbitrability  or rescission,  shall be settled by arbitration in
accordance with the commercial  arbitration rules of the Judicial Arbitration
and Mediation Service.

          (a)  Such  arbitration  shall  be  conducted  in  the  District  of
     Columbia.

          (b) Any judgment upon the award rendered by the  arbitrators may be
     entered in any court having jurisdiction  thereof. The arbitrators shall
     not,  under any  circumstances,  have any  authority to award  punitive,
     exemplary or similar damages.

          (c) Any Party may pursue the remedy of specific  performance of the
     Agreement  or seek a  preliminary  or permanent  injunction  against the
     breach of the  Agreement or in aid of the exercise of any power  granted
     hereunder,  or any  combination  thereof  in any of the  federal  courts
     located within the District of Columbia without resort to arbitration.

          (d) The Parties hereby consent to the  jurisdiction  of the federal
     courts located within the District of Columbia for all purposes.

     9.6 Binding Effect; No Assignment.  Except as expressly provided herein,
neither this Agreement, nor any right hereunder, may be assigned by any Party
without the written  consent of the other  Parties.  Any such  assignment  or
attempted  assignment in violation of the foregoing shall be void. Subject to
the foregoing,  this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit
of  the  Parties  and  their  permitted  successors  and  assigns  and  legal
representatives.

     9.7  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be  executed  by the Parties in
separate counterparts,  each of which when so executed and delivered shall be
an original,  but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the
same  instrument.  Each  counterpart may consist of a number of copies hereof
each signed by less than all, but together signed by all of the Parties.

     9.8 Headings.  The headings in the Agreement are for reference only, and
shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

     9.9  Severability.  If any  portion  of this  Agreement  shall be deemed
unenforceable, the remaining portions shall be valid and enforceable.

                                      22

<PAGE>



     9.10  Time of  Essence.  Time  is of the  essence  for  each  and  every
provision of this Agreement.

     9.11  Attorneys'  Fees.  If  any  legal  action,  arbitration  or  other
proceeding is brought for the enforcement of this Agreement, or because of an
alleged dispute,  breach, default or misrepresentation in connection with any
of the provisions of this Agreement, the successful or prevailing party shall
be entitled to recover reasonable attorneys' fees and other costs incurred in
that action or proceeding, in addition to any other relief to which it may be
entitled.

     9.12 Survival. All representations, warranties, covenants and agreements
of the Parties shall survive the execution and delivery hereof,  the Closing,
the Call Option closing and any closing under the Tag-Along Rights.

     9.13  Definitions.  As used in this  Agreement,  the  terms set forth in
Exhibit A to this Agreement shall have the meanings set forth therein.

     9.14 Request for Shareholder Approval. The Shareholders agree to respond
promptly to a request for  Shareholder  approval  with respect to any matters
requiring Shareholder approval.

                            [The next page is 24.]


                                      23

<PAGE>



     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be
duly executed on the date first above written.

                                  "CARLYLE"

                                  CARLYLE-BLADE ACQUISITION
                                  PARTNERS, L.P., a Delaware limited
                                  partnership

                                  By:      Carlyle Partners II, L.P.
                                  Its:     General Partner

                                  By:      TC Group, L.L.C.
                                  Its:     General Partner

                                  By:      TCG Holdings, L.L.C.
                                  Its:     Managing Member


                                  By:_______________________________________
                                  Its:______________________________________


                                  "Company"

                                   BLADE ACQUISITION CORP.,
                                   a Delaware corporation


                                   By:_______________________________________
                                   Its:______________________________________


                                  "Holding"

                                   THIOKOL HOLDING COMPANY
                                   a Delaware corporation


                                   By:_______________________________________
                                   Its:______________________________________




                                      24

<PAGE>



                                  EXHIBIT A

                                 DEFINITIONS

     As used in this Agreement,  the following terms shall have the following
respective meanings:

     "Acquisition  Agreement"  shall have the  meaning set forth in the Stock
Purchase Agreement.

     "Acquisition Agreement Closing Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
the Stock Purchase Agreement.

     "Affiliate"  or  "Affiliates"  shall have the  meaning  set forth in the
Stock Purchase Agreement.

     "Beneficially Own," "Beneficial Ownership" and "Group" have the meanings
given to these terms or words in Rules 13(d)(3) and 13(d)(5) of the Rules and
Regulations of the Securities  and Exchange  Commission  under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as in effect on the date hereof.

     "Board Super Majority Vote" means an affirmative  vote of the greater of
two-thirds  of the  members  of the  Board  of  Directors  or six  directors,
provided  that no director  designated by Carlyle or Holding casts a negative
vote and at  least  one  director  designated  by  Carlyle  and one  director
designated by Holding cast an affirmative vote.

     "Business"  means Howmet Cercast Group's  business of (i)  manufacturing
investment  castings  of  superalloys  and  titanium  for  jet  aircraft  and
industrial  gas  turbine  engine  components  and  other   components,   (ii)
refurbishment  of such  components  and hot  isostatic  pressing or precision
machining or protective  coating  services when applied to the components set
forth in clause (i) above,  (iii) production of superalloy  metals,  titanium
ingot,  ceramic products,  advanced tooling and other materials  required for
the casting processes,  (iv) related operations,  as conducted as of the date
of the Acquisition Agreement by Howmet Corporation and its subsidiaries,  (v)
the  business of insuring  against  certain  business  risks as  conducted by
Howmet  Insurance  Co.  on the date of the  Acquisition  Agreement,  and (vi)
manufacturing  high quality  aluminum and  copper-alloy  investment  castings
primarily for the defense  electronics and commercial  aerospace  industries,
and  related  operations,  as  conducted  as of the  date of the  Acquisition
Agreement.

     "Capital  Stock"  of any  Person  means  any and all  shares,  rights to
purchase,  warrants  or  options  (whether  or  not  currently  exercisable),
participations or other  equivalents of or interests in (however  designated)
the equity (which  includes,  but is not limited to, common stock,  preferred
stock and partnership and joint venture  interests) of such Person (excluding
any debt  securities that are  convertible  into, or  exchangeable  for, such
equity).


                                  EXHIBIT A
                                 Page 1 of 4

<PAGE>




     "Change of Control"  means any of the  following:  (i) the sale,  lease,
conveyance or other  disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of
Thiokol  Corporation  as an entirety or  substantially  as an entirety to any
Person or "group"  (within the meaning of Section  13(d)(3) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange  Act")) in one or a series of
transactions, provided that a transaction where the holders of all classes of
Common Equity of Thiokol  Corporation  immediately  prior to such transaction
own,  directly  or  indirectly,  50 percent or more of all  classes of Common
Equity of such Person or group  immediately after such  transaction(s)  shall
not be a Change of Control;  (ii) the  liquidation  or dissolution of Thiokol
Corporation,   provided  that  a  liquidation   or   dissolution  of  Thiokol
Corporation which is part of a transaction or series of related  transactions
that does not constitute a Change of Control under the  "provided"  clause of
clause (i) above shall not  constitute a Change of Control  under this clause
(ii);  (iii) any  transaction  or series  of  transactions  (as a result of a
tender offer, merger, consolidation or otherwise) that results in, or that is
in  connection  with any Person,  including a "group"  (within the meaning of
Section  13(d)(3)  of the  Exchange  Act)  that  includes  such  Person,  not
theretofore having "beneficial ownership" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of 50 percent or more of the aggregate
voting  power  of all  classes  of  Common  Equity  of  Thiokol  Corporation,
acquiring such 50 percent or more direct or indirect "beneficial  ownership,"
provided that transfers of securities among  corporations that are affiliated
by 100% common ownership (such as a contribution by a parent corporation to a
wholly  owned  subsidiary)  shall not,  of  themselves  result in a Change of
Control;  or (iv) any Person,  including such a group, elects as directors of
Thiokol  Corporation  Persons who were not  theretofore  directors,  were not
nominees of the  Nominating  Committee  of the Board of  Directors of Thiokol
Corporation  and  after  election  constitute  a  majority  of the  Board  of
Directors of Thiokol Corporation.

     "Closing" means the consummation of the transactions contemplated in the
Stock Purchase Agreement.

     "Closing  Date"  means  the date  hereof  or the  Acquisition  Agreement
Closing Date, whichever occurs latest.

     "Common  Equity" of any Person  means all  Capital  Stock of such Person
that is  generally  entitled to (i) vote in the election of directors of such
Person  or  (ii) if  such  Person  is not a  corporation,  vote or  otherwise
participate  in the selection of the governing  body,  partners,  managers or
others that will control the management and policies of such Person.

     "Common Stock" means the voting common stock,  par value $.01 per share,
of the Company.

     "Company"  means Blade  Acquisition  Corp., a Delaware  corporation  and
where  appropriate,  its subsidiaries  (provided that no such subsidiary is a
party to or has any rights or obligations under this Agreement).



                                  EXHIBIT A
                                 Page 2 of 4

<PAGE>




     "Howmet  Cercast  Group"  shall have the  meaning set forth in the Stock
Purchase Agreement.

     "HSR Act"  means the  Hart-Scott-Rodino  Antitrust  Improvements  Act of
1976, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

     "Immediately  Available  Funds"  means a wire  transfer  of  immediately
available funds to a deposit account  designated by the recipient or delivery
of a certified or bank cashier's check in same day funds.

     "Indebtedness," means (i) all indebtedness for borrowed money, (ii) that
portion of  obligations  with  respect to Capital  Leases  which is  properly
classified as a liability on a balance sheet in conformity  with GAAP,  (iii)
notes payable and drafts accepted  representing  extensions of credit whether
or not representing  obligations for borrowed money, (iv) any obligation owed
for all or any part of the  deferred  purchase  price of property or services
(other than trade or other current  accounts payable incurred in the ordinary
course  of  business)  and (v) all  indebtedness  secured  by any lien on any
property  or asset  owned or held by that  person  regardless  of whether the
indebtedness  secured  thereby  shall have been  assumed by that person or is
nonrecourse to the credit of that person.

     "Management"  means the  following  officers of the  Company:  (i) Chief
Executive  Officer;  (ii) Chief Financial  Officer;  (iii)  Controller;  (iv)
Director of  Operations;  and (v) other  officers  reporting  directly to the
Chief Executive Officer.

     "Person"  means and  includes  natural  persons,  corporations,  limited
partnerships,  general partnerships,  joint stock companies,  joint ventures,
associations,  companies, trusts or other organizations, whether or not legal
entities, and governments and agencies and political subdivisions thereof.

     "Preferred Stock Certificate of Designations" shall have the meaning set
forth in the Stock Purchase Agreement.

     "Related  Documents"  shall  have the  meaning  set  forth in the  Stock
Purchase Agreement.

     "Securities"  shall  mean any shares of  capital  stock of the  Company,
whether  now  authorized  or not,  and any  rights,  options or  warrants  to
purchase  securities of any type which are, or may become,  convertible  into
capital stock of the Company.

     "Securities  Act" means the Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,  and as
may be  amended  from  time to time,  including  the  rules  and  regulations
thereunder.

     "Senior  Debt" means the up to $425  million of  indebtedness  of Howmet
Corporation pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement among Blade Acquisition
Corp.,



                                  EXHIBIT A
                                 Page 3 of 4

<PAGE>


Howmet Holdings  Acquisition Corp., Howmet Acquisition Corp.,  Various Banks,
Bankers Trust  Company,  Citicorp  USA,  Inc. and The First  National Bank of
Chicago as Managing  Agents,  Bankers  Trust  Company as  Syndication  Agent,
Citicorp USA, Inc., as  Documentation  Agent,  and The First National Bank of
Chicago as Administrative Agent, dated as of December 13, 1995.

     "Senior  Subordinated  Note"  shall mean the $125  million of 10% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2003 of Howmet Corporation issued on December 7, 1995.

     "Shareholder"  and  "Shareholders"  means  Carlyle,  Holding  and  their
Affiliate transferees (and where the context so requires, other transferees).

     "Shares"  shall  have  the  meaning  set  forth  in the  Stock  Purchase
Agreement.

     "Structure  Memorandum" means the Master Cross Receipt to be executed on
the  Acquisition  Agreement  Closing  Date  setting  forth  the  transactions
occurring on the Acquisition  Agreement Closing Date in the form delivered to
the Parties as of the date hereof.

     "Subsidiary"  means any corporation,  association  partnership,  limited
partnership,   limited  liability  partnership,  limited  liability  company,
business  trust or other  business  entity  of which 50% or more of the total
voting  power  of  shares  of  stock  entitled  to  vote in the  election  of
directors,  managers or trustees  thereof is at the time owned or controlled,
directly  or  indirectly,  by  the  Company  or  one or  more  of  the  other
subsidiaries of the Company or a combination thereof.


<PAGE>


                                  EXHIBIT A
                                 Page 4 of 4
                        REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
                        -----------------------------


     This Registration Rights Agreement (the "Agreement") is made and entered
into as of December 13,  1995,  by and between  BLADE  ACQUISITION  CORP.,  a
Delaware  corporation  (the "Company"),  THIOKOL HOLDING COMPANY,  a Delaware
corporation, and CARLYLE-BLADE ACQUISITION PARTNERS, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership   (individually,    a   "Purchaser,"   and   collectively,    the
"Purchasers").

     This Agreement is made pursuant to the Stock Purchase  Agreement,  dated
as of December 13,  1995,  by and among the Company and the  Purchasers  (the
"Purchase  Agreement").  In order to induce the  Purchasers to enter into the
Purchase Agreement, the Company has agreed to provide the registration rights
set forth in this Agreement.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement is
a condition to closing under the Purchase Agreement.

     The parties hereby agree as follows:

     1. Definitions
        -----------

     As used in this Agreement,  the following  capitalized  terms shall have
the following meanings:

     Agent: Any Person authorized to act and who acts on behalf of any holder
of Registrable  Securities with respect to the  transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement or the Purchase Agreement.

     Agreement Year: Each consecutive  twelve-month period beginning with the
date of this Agreement.

     Business  Days:  All days  other than  Saturday  or Sunday or any day on
which banking institutions in Washington, D.C. are authorized or obligated by
law to close.

     Common Stock: Capital stock of the Company, however designated, which is
not limited as to the amount of dividends,  or which is not limited as to the
amount of distributions  upon liquidation or dissolution of the Company,  and
shall include, without limitation,  the Company's presently authorized 10,000
shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value per share.

     Demand Registration: A registration pursuant to Section 3(a).

     Exchange Act: The Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time
to time.

     NASD: National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.


<PAGE>



     Person: An individual, firm, partnership, limited liability partnership,
corporation, limited liability company, trust, incorporated or unincorporated
association,  joint venture, joint stock company or a government or agency or
political subdivision thereof.

     Piggy-Back Registration: A registration pursuant to Section 3(e).

     Prospectus:  The prospectus included in any Registration  Statement,  as
amended or  supplemented  by any  prospectus  supplement  with respect to the
terms of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Securities covered by
the Registration Statement and by all other amendments and supplements to the
prospectus, including post-effective amendments and all material incorporated
by reference in such prospectus.

     Registrable  Securities:  (a) All shares of Common Stock owned now or in
the future by the  Purchasers,  and (b) any shares of Common  Stock issued or
issuable  with  respect to such  Common  Stock by way of a stock  dividend or
stock split or in connection with a combination of shares,  recapitalization,
merger,  consolidation or reorganization;  provided,  however,  that any such
share or other security shall be deemed to be a Registrable  Security only if
and so long as it is a Transfer Restricted Security.

     Registration Expenses: See Section 6 hereof.

     Registration Statement:  Any registration statement of the Company which
covers Registrable  Securities  pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement,
including the  Prospectus,  amendments and  supplements to such  Registration
Statement,  including  post-effective  amendments,  and all  exhibits and all
material incorporated by reference in such Registration Statement.

     Securities  Act:  The  Securities  Act of 1933,  as amended from time to
time.

     SEC: The Securities and Exchange Commission.

     Shareholders  Agreement:  The  Shareholders  Agreement  dated  the  date
hereof, by and among the Company and the Purchasers.

     Transfer  Restricted  Securities:  Securities  acquired  by  the  holder
thereof other than pursuant to an effective  registration  under Section 5 of
the Securities Act or pursuant to Rule 144; provided that a Security that has
ceased  to be a  Transfer  Restricted  Security  cannot  thereafter  become a
Transfer Restricted Security.

     Underwritten  Registration or Underwritten  Offering:  A registration in
which  securities  of the  Company  are sold  (whether  by the  Company or by
selling stockholders) to an underwriter for reoffering to the public.

                                      2


<PAGE>



     2. Securities Subject to this Agreement
        ------------------------------------

          (a) Registrable Securities. The securities entitled to the benefits
of this Agreement are the Registrable Securities.

          (b) Holders of Registrable  Securities.  A Person is deemed to be a
holder of  Registrable  Securities  whenever  such  Person  owns  Registrable
Securities or has the right to acquire such Registrable  Securities,  whether
or not such acquisition has actually been effected and disregarding any legal
restrictions upon the exercise of such right; provided that the term "holder"
shall not  include  any  person who then  holds  fewer  than 500  Registrable
Securities  (adjusted  to  reflect  the  effect  of any  stock  split  or any
subdivision,  reclassification,  combination  or like event) and who may then
sell Registrable  Securities in reliance upon Rule 144 promulgated  under the
Securities Act or any successor rule or regulation.

     3. Demand Registration and Piggy-Back Registration
        -----------------------------------------------

          (a) Request for Registration by Holders of Registrable  Securities.
At any time after the closing of the Company's initial Underwritten Offering,
if the Company  receives from the holders of at least 40% of the  Registrable
Securities a written  request  that the Company  effect any  registration  or
qualification with respect to the Registrable Securities, the Company will:

               (1) within  ten (10) days of  receipt of such a request,  give
     written  notice of the proposed  registration  or  qualification  to all
     other holders of Registrable Securities; and

               (2) as soon as  practicable,  use its best  efforts  to effect
     such registration or qualification (including,  without limitation,  the
     execution in the applicable  Registration Statement of an undertaking to
     file required post-effective amendments, appropriate qualification under
     the applicable  blue sky or other state  securities laws and appropriate
     compliance  with exemptive  regulations  issued under the Securities Act
     and any other  governmental  requirements  or  regulations) as may be so
     requested and as are  reasonably  necessary to permit or facilitate  the
     sale  and  distribution  of all or  such  portion  of such  holder's  or
     holders'  Registrable  Securities  as are  specified  in  such  request,
     together with all or such portion of the  Registrable  Securities of any
     other  holder or holders  joining in such  request or the Company in the
     case of primary  Registrable  Securities  requested by the Company to be
     registered  as are  specified  in a written  notice given to the Company
     within 20 days after the date of such  written  notice  from the Company
     pursuant to Section 3(a)(1); provided, however that the Company will not
     be  obligated to effect more than two (2)  registrations  on Form S-1 or
     S-2 (or successor  Forms) on behalf of any Purchaser (or its  assignees)
     pursuant to this Section 3(a); provided further,  that the Company shall
     be obligated to effect an unlimited  number of registrations on Form S-3
     (or  successor  Forms  thereto)  on  behalf  of any  Purchaser  (or  its
     assignees) pursuant to this Section 3(a).

                                      3


<PAGE>



          Notwithstanding   anything  to  the  contrary  set  forth  in  this
Agreement,   and   regardless   whether  the  number  of   registrations   or
qualifications  set forth above have been completed,  the Company will in all
events  be  obligated  to  take  all  actions  set  forth  herein  to  effect
registrations,  qualification  and  compliance  pursuant to this Section 3(a)
pursuant to two (2)  requests  initiated by each  Purchaser.  Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary set forth in this  Agreement,  the Company shall not
be  required  to effect a Demand  Registration  within six  months  after the
effective  date  of any  other  Registration  Statement  of the  Company.  In
addition,  notwithstanding  anything to the  contrary,  if at the time of any
request to register Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 3(a), the
Company is actively engaging,  with the prior approval of the Company's Board
of Directors,  in an Underwritten Offering as to which holders of Registrable
Securities are eligible to include Registrable Securities pursuant to Section
3(e)(subject to the limitations  and  restrictions  set forth in such Section
3(e))  or is  engaged  in  any  other  activity  which,  in  the  good  faith
determination  of the Board of Directors  of the Company,  would be adversely
affected by the requested  registration to the  substantial  detriment of the
Company, then the Company may at its option direct (a "Directive") in writing
within ten (10) days of receipt of such  request that such request be delayed
(and, if a majority of the holders of Registrable  Securities initiating such
request so elect,  withdrawn)  for a period not in excess of six months  from
the date of such  Directive,  which right to delay a request may be exercised
by the Company not more than once in any two-year period.

          Subject  to the  foregoing  provisions,  the  Company  will  file a
registration statement covering the Registrable Securities so requested to be
registered as soon as  practicable,  after receipt of the request or requests
of the  initiating  holders,  and shall use its best  efforts  to cause  such
registration  statement and prospectus through which such Demand Registration
is  effected  to  remain  effective,  (i) in the  case  of a firm  commitment
underwritten  public  offering,  until each  underwriter  has  completed  the
distribution  of all securities  purchased by it and, (ii) in the case of any
other offering,  until the earlier of the sale of all Registrable  Securities
covered  thereby  or 120 days  after the  effective  date  thereof,  it being
understood  and  agreed  that any  Demand  Registration  that does not remain
effective  for  such  applicable  time  periods  will  not  be  counted  as a
"registration" for purposes of Section 3(a)(2).

          (b)  Effective   Registration  and  Expenses.   A  registration  of
Registrable  Securities will not count as a Demand  Registration until it has
become  effective  and  has  remained  effective  for the  applicable  period
specified in Section  3(a).  The Company will pay  Registration  Expenses (as
hereinafter defined) in accordance with Section 6(a).

          (c) Underwriter's  Cutback.  If the holder or holders of a majority
in  number  of  the  Registrable  Securities  to be  registered  in a  Demand
Registration under this Section 3 (or the holder or holders who initiated the
Demand  Registration) so elect,  the offering of such Registrable  Securities
pursuant to such Demand  Registration shall be in the form of an Underwritten
Offering.  In such event, if the managing underwriter or underwriters of such
offering  advise the Company and the holders in writing that in their opinion
the  Registrable  Securities  requested  to be included  in such  offering is
sufficiently  large so as to materially  and adversely  affect the success of
the offering, the Company will

                                      4


<PAGE>



include in such  registration  the maximum amount of  Registrable  Securities
which in the opinion of such managing underwriter or underwriters can be sold
without  any such  material  adverse  effect  (pro rata among the  holders of
Registrable Securities who have requested to be included in such registration
pursuant to Section 3(a)).

          (d) Selection of Underwriters.  If any Demand Registration pursuant
to this  Section  3 is to be in the  form of an  Underwritten  Offering,  the
investment banker or bankers and manager or managers that will administer the
offering  will be selected by holders of a majority in number of  Registrable
Securities to be included in such  offering;  provided  that such  investment
bankers and managers must be reasonably satisfactory to the Company.

          (e) Piggy-Back  Registration.  If the Company  determines to file a
registration  statement  under the Securities Act relating to a proposed sale
to the  public of  shares  of its  securities  (but  excluding  registrations
relating  solely to  employees'  stock  option or purchase  plans or relating
solely to a transaction employing SEC Form S-4 or Form S-8 or successor Forms
thereto),  either for its own account or the account of a security  holder or
holders, the Company shall:

               (1)  promptly  give to each holder of  Registrable  Securities
     written notice  thereof (which will include,  to the extent known at the
     time,  a list of the  jurisdictions  in which  the  Company  intends  to
     attempt to qualify  such  securities  under the  applicable  blue sky or
     other state securities laws, the proposed offering price or price range,
     and the plan of distribution);

               (2)   include   in  such   registration   (and   any   related
     qualification  under  blue  sky laws or  other  compliance),  and in any
     underwriting involved therein, all the Registrable  Securities specified
     in a written request or requests, made within 25 days after such written
     notice  from  the  Company,  by any  holder  or  holder  of  Registrable
     Securities; and

               (3) use its best efforts to cause the managing  underwriter or
     underwriters  of such  proposed  Underwritten  Offering  to  permit  the
     Registrable  Securities  requested  to be included  in the  registration
     statement  for  such  offering  to be  included  on the same  terms  and
     conditions as any similar  securities of the Company  included  therein.
     Notwithstanding   the   foregoing,   if  the  managing   underwriter  or
     underwriters  of such offering  deliver a written opinion to the Company
     and  the  holders  of  such   Registrable   Securities   that  marketing
     considerations  require a  limitation  on the number of shares of Common
     Stock offered  pursuant to any  Registration  Statement filed under this
     Section,  the Company will include in such  registration  (i) first, the
     securities the Company proposes to sell and (ii) second, the Registrable
     Securities  requested  to be included  therein,  which in the opinion of
     such  underwriters  (after taking into account the securities to be sold
     pursuant to clause (i)) can be sold  without  having a material  adverse
     effect on the  offering,  pro rata among the holders of the  Registrable
     Securities on the basis of the number of Registrable Securities owned by
     such holders requested to be included in such registration.  The Company
     will bear all Registration Expenses in connection with such a Piggy-Back

                                      5


<PAGE>



     Registration.  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary herein,  if the
     managing  underwriter or underwriters of such offering deliver a written
     opinion to the Company and the  holders of such  Registrable  Securities
     that  marketing  considerations  require  that no shares of  Registrable
     Securities  be included in such  offering,  then the Company may,  after
     notice thereof to the holders of Registrable  Securities requested to be
     included  in such  registration,  proceed  with  such  offering  without
     including therein such Registrable Securities. 4. Hold-Back Agreements

          (a)  Restrictions  on Public  Sale by the  Holders  of  Registrable
Securities.  Each holder of Registrable  Securities  agrees,  if requested in
writing by the managing  underwriters in an Underwritten  Offering,  (i) with
respect to the initial Underwritten  Offering,  not to effect any public sale
or  distribution  of  securities  of the  Company  of the  same  class as the
securities included in such Registration Statement, including a sale pursuant
to Rule 144 under the  Securities  Act  (except as part of such  Underwritten
Registration),  during the 180-day period following the effective date of the
Registration  Statement  and (ii)  with  respect  to any  other  Underwritten
Offering  in which such  holder's  Registrable  Securities  are  covered by a
Registration  Statement filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof, not to effect any
public sale or distribution of securities of the Company of the same class as
the  securities  included in such  Registration  Statement,  including a sale
pursuant  to Rule  144  under  the  Securities  Act  (except  as part of such
Underwritten Registration),  during the 90-day period following the effective
date of the  Registration  Statement  for  each  Underwritten  Offering  made
pursuant to such  Registration  Statement,  in each case to the extent timely
notified in writing by the Company or the managing underwriters.

          (b)  Restrictions  on Public Sale by the  Company  and Others.  The
Company agrees:

               (1) not to  effect  any  public  sale or  distribution  of its
     equity  securities  during  the 30-day  period  prior to, and during the
     90-day period after,  the effective date of each  Underwritten  Offering
     made pursuant to a Registration  Statement filed under Section 3 hereof,
     to the extent timely  requested in writing by the managing  underwriters
     (except  as  part of  such  Underwritten  Registration  or  pursuant  to
     registrations on Forms S-4 or S-8 or any successor form to such Forms);

               (2) to  cause  each  holder  of its  privately  placed  equity
     securities  who  beneficially  owns at least one percent of any class of
     the Company's outstanding equity securities issued by the Company at any
     time on or after the date of this  Agreement  to agree not to effect any
     public sale or  distribution  of any such  securities  during the period
     described in Section  4(b)(i)  above,  including a sale pursuant to Rule
     144  under  the  Securities  Act  (except  as part of such  Underwritten
     Registration, if permitted).

                                      6


<PAGE>



     5. Registration Procedures
        -----------------------

     In connection with the Company's  registration  obligations  pursuant to
Section  3 hereof,  the  Company  will use its best  efforts  to effect  such
registration to permit the sale of such Registrable  Securities in accordance
with the  intended  method or methods of  disposition  thereof,  and pursuant
thereto the Company will as expeditiously as possible:

          (a) before  filing a  Registration  Statement or  Prospectus or any
amendments or supplements thereto,  furnish to the holders of the Registrable
Securities   covered  by  such   Registration   Statement  and  the  managing
underwriters,  if any,  copies of all such  documents  proposed  to be filed,
which  documents  will be made  available  for  review  by such  holders  and
managing  underwriters,  and the  Company  will  not  file  any  Registration
Statement or amendment thereto or any Prospectus or any supplement thereto to
which the  holders  of a  majority  in number of the  Registrable  Securities
covered by such  Registration  Statement or the  underwriters,  if any, shall
reasonably object;

          (b)   prepare   and  file   with  the  SEC  such   amendments   and
post-effective amendments to any Registration Statement, and such supplements
to the  Prospectus,  as may  be  reasonably  requested  by the  holders  of a
majority of the Registrable  Securities covered by the Registration Statement
or any managing  underwriter of Registrable  Securities or as may be required
by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form
utilized by the Company or by the  Securities  Act or otherwise  necessary to
keep such  Registration  Statement  effective for the  applicable  period and
cause the  Prospectus  as so  supplemented  to be filed  pursuant to Rule 424
under the  Securities  Act; and comply with the  provisions of the Securities
Act;

          (c) notify the selling  holders of  Registrable  Securities and the
managing  underwriters,  if any,  promptly,  and (if  requested  by any  such
Person) confirm such advice in writing,

               (1)  when  the  Prospectus  or any  Prospectus  supplement  or
     post-effective  amendment  has been  filed,  and,  with  respect  to the
     Registration  Statement or any post-effective  amendment,  when the same
     has become effective,

               (2) of any request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to
     the   Registration   Statement  or  the  Prospectus  or  for  additional
     information,

               (3) of  the  issuance  by the  Commission  of any  stop  order
     suspending  the  effectiveness  of  the  Registration  Statement  or the
     initiation of any proceedings for that purpose,

               (4) if at any time the  representations  and warranties of the
     Company  contemplated  by  paragraph  (n)  below  cease  to be true  and
     correct,

                                      7


<PAGE>



               (5) of the  receipt by the  Company of any  notification  with
     respect  to the  suspension  of  the  qualification  of the  Registrable
     Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening
     of any proceeding for such purpose, and

               (6)  of  the  existence  of  any  fact  which  results  in the
     Registration  Statement,  the  Prospectus  or any document  incorporated
     therein by reference  containing an untrue statement of material fact or
     omitting  to state a  material  fact  required  to be stated  therein or
     necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;

          (d)  use  best  efforts  to  obtain  the  withdrawal  of any  order
suspending the  effectiveness of the  Registration  Statement at the earliest
possible moment;

          (e)  if  reasonably   requested  by  the  managing  underwriter  or
underwriters or a holder of Registrable  Securities  being sold in connection
with an Underwritten  Offering,  as promptly as practicable  incorporate in a
Prospectus supplement or post-effective  amendment such necessary information
as the managing  underwriters  and the holders of a majority in number of the
Registrable Securities being sold reasonably request to have included therein
relating  to the  plan of  distribution  with  respect  to  such  Registrable
Securities,  including,  without limitation,  information with respect to the
amount  of  Registrable  Securities  being  sold  to such  underwriters,  the
purchase price being paid therefor by such  underwriters  and with respect to
any other terms of the underwritten (or best efforts  underwritten)  offering
of the  Registrable  Securities  to be sold in such  offering;  and  make all
required filings of such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as
promptly  as   practicable   after  being  notified  of  the  matters  to  be
incorporated in such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;

          (f) at the request of any selling holder of Registrable Securities,
furnish to such selling  holder of  Registrable  Securities and each managing
underwriter,   without  charge,  such  number  of  conformed  copies  of  the
Registration  Statement and any post-effective  amendment thereto,  including
financial  statements and schedules,  all documents  incorporated  therein by
reference and all exhibits  (including  those  incorporated  by reference) as
such holder may reasonably request;

          (g) deliver to each selling  holder of  Registrable  Securities and
the  underwriters,  if any, without charge,  as many copies of the Prospectus
(including  each  preliminary  prospectus)  and any  amendment or  supplement
thereto as such Persons may reasonably  request;  the Company consents to the
use of the  Prospectus or any amendment or supplement  thereto by each of the
selling holders of Registrable  Securities and the  underwriters,  if any, in
connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable  Securities  covered
by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto;

          (h)  in  connection   with  any  public   offering  of  Registrable
Securities,  register or qualify or  cooperate  with the  selling  holders of
Registrable  Securities,  the  managing  underwriters,   if  any,  and  their
respective  counsel in connection with the  registration or  qualification of
such Registrable Securities for offer and sale under the

                                      8


<PAGE>



securities  or  blue  sky  laws  of  such  jurisdictions  as  any  seller  or
underwriter  reasonably  requests in writing and do any and all other acts or
things necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions
of the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement; provided
that the Company will not be required to qualify  generally to do business in
any  jurisdiction  where it is not then so  qualified  or to take any  action
which would subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction
where it is not then so subject;

          (i) cooperate with the selling  holders of  Registrable  Securities
and the managing  underwriters,  if any, to facilitate the timely preparation
and delivery of certificates  representing  Registrable Securities to be sold
and, if not required by applicable law, not bearing any restrictive  legends;
and  enable  such  Registrable  Securities  to be in such  denominations  and
registered  in such names as the managing  underwriters  may request at least
two  business  days  prior  to any  sale  of  Registrable  Securities  to the
underwriters;

          (j) use its  best  efforts  to  cause  the  Registrable  Securities
covered by the  applicable  Registration  Statement to be registered  with or
approved  by  such  other  governmental  agencies  or  authorities  as may be
necessary  to enable the seller or sellers  thereof or the  underwriters,  if
any, to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;

          (k) if any fact contemplated by paragraph (c)(6) above shall exist,
use its best efforts to prepare a supplement or  post-effective  amendment to
the  Registration  Statement  or  the  related  Prospectus  or  any  document
incorporated  therein by  reference  or file any other  required  document so
that,  as  thereafter   delivered  to  the  purchasers  of  the   Registrable
Securities, the Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any  material  fact  required  to be stated  therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;

          (l) use its  best  efforts  to  cause  all  Registrable  Securities
covered  by the  Registration  Statement  to be  listed  on  each  securities
exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed if
requested  by the  holders  of a  majority  in  number  of  such  Registrable
Securities or by the managing underwriters, if any;

          (m)  not  later  than  the   effective   date  of  the   applicable
Registration Statement, provide a CUSIP number for all Registrable Securities
and  provide  the  applicable   trustees  or  transfer  agents  with  printed
certificates for the Registrable  Securities which are in a form eligible for
deposit with Depositary Trust Company;

          (n) with respect to an Underwritten  Offering or other  transaction
in which an investment  banking firm significantly  participates,  enter into
customary  agreements with  investment  bankers and  underwriters  (including
underwriting  agreements  in customary  form) and take all other  appropriate
actions that the underwriter or investment  banker may reasonably  request in
order  to  expedite  or  facilitate  the  disposition  of  such   Registrable
Securities and in such connection:

                                      9


<PAGE>



               (1) make such representations and warranties to the holders of
     such  Registrable  Securities  and the  underwriters,  if any,  in form,
     substance and scope as are  customarily  made by issuers to underwriters
     in primary  Underwritten  Offerings  or in the type of offering in which
     the investment bank is significantly participating;

               (2) obtain  opinions  of counsel to the  Company  and  updates
     thereof addressed to each selling holder and the  underwriters,  if any,
     covering  the  matters  customarily  covered in  opinions  requested  in
     Underwritten  Offerings  or  in  the  type  of  offering  in  which  the
     investment bank is significantly participating and such other matters as
     may be reasonably  requested by such underwriters or other participating
     investment banks;

               (3) obtain "cold comfort" letters and updates thereof from the
     Company's  independent  certified  public  accountants  addressed to the
     selling holders of Registrable Securities and the underwriters,  if any,
     such  letters to be in customary  form and covering  matters of the type
     customarily  covered  in  "cold  comfort"  letters  to  underwriters  in
     connection with primary Underwritten Offerings;

               (4) if an  underwriting  agreement is entered into,  cause the
     same to set forth in full the indemnification  provisions and procedures
     of Section 7 hereof (or such other substantially  similar provisions and
     procedures as the underwriters shall reasonably request) with respect to
     all parties to be indemnified pursuant to said Section; and

               (5)  deliver  such  documents  and   certificates  as  may  be
     reasonably  requested  by the holders of a majority  of the  Registrable
     Securities being sold and the managing underwriters, if any, to evidence
     compliance  with  paragraph (k) above and with any customary  conditions
     contained in the underwriting  agreement or other agreement entered into
     by the Company.

The above shall be done at the effectiveness of such Registration  Statement,
each closing under any underwriting or similar agreement as and to the extent
required  thereunder  and from time to time as may reasonably be requested by
the  underwriter  or other  participating  investment  bank,  all in a manner
consistent with customary industry practice;

          (o) make available to a representative of the holders of a majority
in  number  of  the   Registrable   Securities,   any  managing   underwriter
participating in any disposition pursuant to such Registration Statement, and
any attorney or accountant  retained by the sellers or managing  underwriter,
all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties
of the Company, and cause the Company's officers,  directors and employees to
supply all information  reasonably  requested (taking into account the number
of  Registrable  Securities  held by the  requesting  holder  of  Registrable
Securities) by any such representative,  underwriter,  attorney or accountant
in  connection  with the  registration,  with respect to each at such time or
times as the Company shall reasonably  determine;  provided that any records,
information or documents that are designated by the Company in writing as
                                      10


<PAGE>



confidential  shall be kept confidential by such Persons unless disclosure of
such records, information or documents is required by court or administrative
order;

          (p)  otherwise  use its best efforts to comply with all  applicable
rules  and  regulations  of the SEC,  and  make  generally  available  to its
security holders,  earnings  statements  satisfying the provisions of Section
11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 promulgated thereunder;

          (q)  cooperate  and assist in any filings  required to be made with
the NASD and in the  performance  of any due diligence  investigation  by any
underwriter  (including  any  "qualified  independent  underwriter"  that  is
required to be retained in accordance  with the rules and  regulations of the
NASD); and

          (r)  promptly  prior to the filing of any  document  which is to be
incorporated by reference into the  Registration  Statement or the Prospectus
(after initial filing of the Registration  Statement)  provide copies of such
document  to counsel  to the  holders of  Registrable  Securities  and to the
managing underwriters,  if any, make the Company's  representatives available
for  discussion of such document and make such changes in such document prior
to the filing thereof as counsel for such selling holders or underwriters may
reasonably request.

          The Company may require each seller of Registrable Securities as to
which any  registration  is being  effected  to furnish to the  Company  such
information  regarding such Seller and the distribution of such securities as
the Company may from time to time reasonably request in writing.

          Each holder of Registrable Securities agrees by acquisition of such
Registrable  Securities  that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of
the happening of any event of the kind described in paragraph (k) above, such
holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities until
such holder's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus
contemplated by paragraph (k) above, or until it is advised in writing by the
Company  that the use of the  Prospectus  may be  resumed,  and has  received
copies of any additional or  supplemental  filings which are  incorporated by
reference in the Prospectus,  and, if so directed by the Company, such holder
will deliver to the Company (at the Company's expense) all copies, other than
permanent  file copies then in such holder's  possession,  of the  Prospectus
covering such Registrable  Securities  current at the time of receipt of such
notice. In the event the Company shall give any such notice, the time periods
mentioned  in Section  4(a)  hereof  shall be  extended by the number of days
during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice to
and including the date when each seller of Registrable  Securities covered by
such Registration Statement either receives the copies of the supplemented or
amended  prospectus  contemplated  by  paragraph  (k) above or is  advised in
writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed.

          Nothing  set forth in this  Section  5 is  intended  to impair  the
Company  from making  filings  required  under the  Exchange  Act on a timely
basis; provided, however, that

                                      11


<PAGE>



the  Company  shall  provide  drafts  of  such  filings  to  the  holders  of
Registrable  Securities  at least  five  Business  Days prior to the date the
filing  thereof is due and shall  cooperate with such holders with respect to
such filings and make such changes or modifications to such filings as may be
reasonably requested (in light of the requirements of applicable law) by such
holders or their counsel.

     6. Registration Expenses
        ---------------------

          (a)  All  expenses  incident  to the  Company's  performance  of or
compliance  with  this  Agreement  will be paid  by the  Company,  regardless
whether the Registration Statement becomes effective (unless (i) the offering
to which the Registration Statement applies shall be withdrawn at the request
of the holder or holders  who  initiated  the  Demand  Registration  not as a
result of a breach by the Company of its  obligations  hereunder and (ii) the
holder or holders  notify the Company that such offering shall not count as a
Demand  Registration,  in which case all such expenses  shall be paid by such
holder or holders). Without limiting the foregoing, the Company shall pay all
expenses  incident to a Demand  Registration that has not become and remained
effective for the period specified in Section 3(a), other than as a result of
a withdrawal  at the request of the  holders.  The expenses to be paid by the
Company shall include, without limitation:

               (1) all  registration  and  filing  fees  (including,  without
     limitation, with respect to filings required to be made with the NASD);

               (2) fees and expenses of  compliance  with  securities or blue
     sky laws  (including,  without  limitation,  fees and  disbursements  of
     counsel for the underwriters in connection with blue sky  qualifications
     of the Registrable Securities and determination of their eligibility for
     investment  under  the  laws  of  such  jurisdictions  as  the  managing
     underwriters  or  holders of a majority  of the  Registrable  Securities
     being sold may designate);

               (3)  printing  (including,  without  limitation,  expenses  of
     printing or engraving  certificates for the Registrable  Securities in a
     form eligible for deposit with Depositary  Trust Company and of printing
     prospectuses), messenger, telephone and delivery expenses;

               (4) fees and  disbursements  of counsel for the  Company,  the
     underwriters and for the selling holders of the Registrable Securities;

               (5) fees and disbursements of all independent certified public
     accountants of the Company (including,  without limitation, the expenses
     of any special audit and "cold comfort"  letters required by or incident
     to such performance);

               (6)  fees  and  expenses  of  other  Persons  retained  by the
     Company; and

                                      12


<PAGE>



               (7) fees and expenses associated with any NASD filing required
     to be made in  connection  with the  Registration  Statement,  (all such
     expenses being herein called "Registration Expenses").

          Registration   Expenses   shall  not   include   fees,   discounts,
commissions  or  disbursements  of  underwriters,   selling  brokers,  dealer
managers or similar securities  professionals relating to the distribution of
the  Registrable  Securities  or legal  expenses of any Person other than the
Company and the selling holders.

          (b) The  Company  will,  in any event,  pay its  internal  expenses
(including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and
employees  performing legal or accounting duties),  the expense of any annual
audit,  the fees and expenses  incurred in connection with the listing of the
securities  to be  registered  on each  securities  exchange on which similar
securities issued by the Company are then listed,  rating agency fees and the
fees and expenses of any Person,  including special experts,  retained by the
Company.

     7. Indemnification
        ---------------

          (a) Indemnification by the Company. The Company agrees to indemnify
and hold  harmless  each  holder of  Registrable  Securities,  its  officers,
directors,  employees  and Agents and each  Person who  controls  such holder
within the meaning of either  Section 15 of the  Securities Act or Section 20
of the Exchange Act (each such person being sometimes hereinafter referred to
as an  "Indemnified  Holder") from and against all losses,  claims,  damages,
liabilities and expenses  (including  reasonable costs of  investigation  and
legal expenses)  arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact contained in any  Registration  Statement
or Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary
prospectus,  or arising out of or based upon any omission or alleged omission
to state therein a material  fact required to be stated  therein or necessary
to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such losses,
claims,  damages,  liabilities or expenses arise out of or are based upon any
such  untrue   statement  or  omission  or  allegation   thereof  based  upon
information  furnished in writing to the Company by such holder expressly for
use therein;  provided,  however, that the Company shall not be liable in any
such case to the  extent  that any such loss,  claim,  damage,  liability  or
expense arises out of or is based upon an untrue  statement or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission made in any preliminary  prospectus
if (i) such holder failed to send or deliver a copy of the Prospectus with or
prior to the  delivery  of written  confirmation  of the sale of  Registrable
Securities and (ii) the Prospectus would have corrected such untrue statement
or omission;  and provided,  further, that the Company shall not be liable in
any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim,  damage,  liability or
expense arises out of or is based upon an untrue  statement or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged  omission in the Prospectus,  if such untrue
statement  or alleged  untrue  statement,  omission  or alleged  omission  is
corrected in an amendment or  supplement  to the  Prospectus  and if,  having
previously  been  furnished by or on behalf of the Company with copies of the
Prospectus as so amended or  supplemented,  such holder  thereafter  fails to
deliver  such  Prospectus  as  so  amended  or   supplemented   prior  to  or
concurrently with the sale of a Registrable  Security to the person asserting
such loss, claim, damage, liability or expense

                                      13


<PAGE>



who purchased such  Registrable  Security  which is the subject  thereof from
such holder.  This indemnity  will be in addition to any liability  which the
Company may otherwise  have.  The Company will also  indemnify  underwriters,
selling   brokers,   dealer   managers   and  similar   securities   industry
professionals participating in the distribution, their officers and directors
and each Person who controls  such Persons  (within the meaning of Section 15
of the  Securities  Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) to the same extent
as provided  above with  respect to the  indemnification  of the  Indemnified
Holders of Registrable
Securities.

          If  any   action  or   proceeding   (including   any   governmental
investigation or inquiry) shall be brought or asserted against an Indemnified
Holder in respect of which  indemnity  may be sought from the  Company,  such
Indemnified  Holder  shall  promptly  notify the Company in writing,  and the
Company shall assume the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel
reasonably  satisfactory  to such  Indemnified  Holder and the payment of all
expenses.  Such  Indemnified  Holder shall have the right to employ  separate
counsel in any such action and to participate in the defense thereof, but the
fees and  expenses of such counsel  shall be the expense of such  Indemnified
Holder unless (a) the Company has agreed to pay such fees and expenses or (b)
the  Company  shall  have  failed to assume  the  defense  of such  action or
proceeding or has failed to employ counsel  reasonably  satisfactory  to such
Indemnified   Holder  in  any  such  action  or  proceeding  or  (c)  if  the
representation  of such  Indemnified  Holder by the  counsel  retained by the
Company would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests
between  the  Indemnified  Holder  and any other  party  represented  by such
counsel  in such  proceeding  (in  which  case,  if such  Indemnified  Holder
notifies the Company in writing that it elects to employ separate  counsel at
the expense of the  Company,  the Company  shall not have the right to assume
the  defense  of such  action or  proceeding  on  behalf of such  Indemnified
Holder,  it  being  understood,  however,  that the  Company  shall  not,  in
connection   with  any  one  such  action  or   proceeding  or  separate  but
substantially   similar  or  related  actions  or  proceedings  in  the  same
jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be
liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of
attorneys at any time for such Indemnified  Holder and any other  Indemnified
Holders,  which firm  shall be  designated  in  writing  by such  Indemnified
Holders).  The  Company  shall not be liable for any  settlement  of any such
action or proceeding  effected  without its written  consent,  but if settled
with its written  consent,  or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff
in any such action or  proceeding,  the Company  agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless such  Indemnified  Holders from and against any loss or liability by
reason of such settlement or judgment.

          (b)  Indemnification  by Holder  of  Registrable  Securities.  Each
holder of  Registrable  Securities  agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Company, its directors and officers and each Person, if any, who controls the
Company  within the  meaning of either  Section 15 of the  Securities  Act or
Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the foregoing  indemnity
from the  Company  to such  holder,  but only  with  respect  to  information
relating to such holder furnished in writing by such holder expressly for use
in any Registration  Statement or Prospectus,  or any amendment or supplement
thereto,  or any  preliminary  prospectus.  In case any action or  proceeding
shall be brought against the Company or its directors or officers or any such
controlling  person,  in respect of which  indemnity may be sought  against a
holder of Registrable Securities, such holder shall have

                                      14


<PAGE>



the rights and duties  given the Company and the Company or its  directors or
officers or such controlling person shall have the rights and duties given to
each holder by the  preceding  paragraph.  In no event shall the liability of
any selling  holder of  Registrable  Securities  under this  Section  7(b) be
greater in amount than the dollar amount of the net proceeds received by such
holder  upon  the  sale of the  Registrable  Securities  giving  rise to such
indemnification obligation.

          The  Company  shall  be  entitled  to  receive   indemnities   from
underwriters,   selling  brokers,  dealer  managers  and  similar  securities
industry professionals participating in the distribution,  to the same extent
as provided above with respect to information so furnished in writing by such
Persons   specifically  for  inclusion  in  any  Prospectus  or  Registration
Statement  or  any  amendment  or  supplement  thereto,  or  any  preliminary
prospectus.

          (c)  Contribution.  If the  indemnification  provided  for in  this
Section 7 is  unavailable  to an  indemnified  party  under  Section  7(a) or
Section  7(b) hereof  (other than by reason of  exceptions  provided in those
Sections) in respect of any losses, claims, damages,  liabilities or expenses
referred to therein,  then each  applicable  indemnifying  party,  in lieu of
indemnifying such indemnified  party,  shall contribute to the amount paid or
payable  by such  indemnified  party  as a  result  of such  losses,  claims,
damages,  liabilities  or expenses in such  proportion as is  appropriate  to
reflect  the  relative  fault of the  Company,  on the one  hand,  and of the
Indemnified  Holder,  on the other hand, in connection with the statements or
omissions  which  resulted in such losses,  claims,  damages,  liabilities or
expenses,  as  well  as any  other  relevant  equitable  considerations.  The
relative  fault  of the  Company,  on the one  hand,  and of the  Indemnified
Holder,  on the other hand,  shall be determined by reference to, among other
things,  whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or
the  omission  or  alleged  omission  to state a  material  fact  relates  to
information  supplied  by the  Company or by the  Indemnified  Holder and the
parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to
correct or prevent such statement or omission.  The amount paid or payable by
a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages,  liabilities and expenses
referred to above shall be deemed to include,  subject to the limitations set
forth in the second  paragraph  of Section  7(a),  any legal or other fees or
expenses  reasonably  incurred by such party in connection with investigating
or defending any action or claim.

          The Company and each holder of Registrable Securities agree that it
would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7(c)
were  determined by pro rata  allocation or by any other method of allocation
which does not take account of the  equitable  considerations  referred to in
the immediately  preceding paragraph.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this
Section 7(c), an  Indemnified  Holder shall not be required to contribute any
amount  in  excess  of the  amount  by which  the  total  price at which  the
Registrable  Securities  sold by such  Indemnified  Holder or its  affiliated
Indemnified  Holders and distributed to the public were offered to the public
exceeds  the amount of any  damages  which such  Indemnified  Holder,  or its
affiliated  Indemnified Holders, has otherwise been required to pay by reason
of such untrue or alleged untrue  statement or omission or alleged  omission.
No person  guilty of  fraudulent  misrepresentation  (within  the  meaning of
Section 11(f) of the Securities Act)

                                      15


<PAGE>



shall be entitled to contribution  from any person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation.

     8. Rule 144
        --------

          In the event that the Company (a) registers any class of securities
under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, (b) issues an offering circular meeting
the  requirements  of Regulation A under the Securities Act, or (c) commences
to file  reports  under  Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Exchange  Act,  then the
Company  will use its best  efforts to file with the  Commission  in a timely
manner all reports  and other  documents  required  of the Company  under the
Exchange  Act or the  Securities  Act and,  at the  request  of any holder of
Registrable  Securities  who proposes to sell  securities in compliance  with
Rule 144  promulgated  under the Securities Act (or any successor  rule),  as
such rule may be amended from time to time,  the Company  will (i)  forthwith
furnish to such  holder a written  statement  of  compliance  with the filing
requirements  of the  Commission  as set  forth in Rule  144,  and (ii)  make
available to the public and such holders such  information as will enable the
holder to make sales pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor rule).

     9. Participation in Underwritten Registrations
        -------------------------------------------

          No holder of Registrable  Securities (or its successors or assigns)
may participate in any Underwritten Registration hereunder unless such Person
(a) agrees to sell such Person's Registrable Securities on the basis provided
in any  underwriting  arrangements  approved  by the  underwriters  and other
Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and
executes all questionnaires,  powers of attorney,  indemnities,  underwriting
agreements and other documents  required under the terms of such underwriting
arrangements.

     10. Miscellaneous
         -------------

          (a) Remedies. Each holder of Registrable Securities, in addition to
being  entitled to exercise  all rights  provided  herein and granted by law,
including  recovery of damages,  will be entitled to specific  performance of
its rights under this  Agreement.  The Company  agrees that monetary  damages
would  not be  adequate  compensation  for any loss  incurred  by reason of a
breach by it of the  provisions of this  Agreement and hereby agrees to waive
the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would
be adequate.

          (b) No  Inconsistent  Agreements.  The Company will not on or after
the date of this  Agreement  enter  into any  agreement  with  respect to its
securities  which is  inconsistent  with the rights granted to the holders of
Registrable  Securities  in this  Agreement or otherwise  conflicts  with the
provisions  hereof or impairs the rights granted  hereunder.  The Company has
not  previously  entered into any  agreement  with respect to its  securities
granting any registration  rights to any Person which has not been terminated
on or prior to the date hereof.

                                      16


<PAGE>



          (c)  Amendments  and Waivers.  The  provisions  of this  Agreement,
including the  provisions of this sentence,  may not be amended,  modified or
supplemented,  and  waivers or  consents to  departures  from the  provisions
hereof may not be given unless the Company has  obtained the written  consent
of  holders  of at  least  85% of  the  outstanding  Registrable  Securities.
Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  a waiver or consent to  departure  from the
provisions  hereof  that  relates  exclusively  to the  rights of  holders of
Registrable  Securities  whose  securities  are  being  sold  pursuant  to  a
Registration  Statement and that does not directly or  indirectly  affect the
rights of other holders of Registrable Securities may be given by the holders
of 50% of the Registrable Securities being sold.

          (d) Notices. All notices and other  communications  provided for or
permitted  hereunder  shall be made in writing by  hand-delivery,  registered
first-class mail, telex,  telecopier,  or air courier guaranteeing  overnight
delivery:

               (1) if to a  holder  of  Registrable  Securities,  at the most
     current  address given by such holder to the Company in accordance  with
     the provisions of this Section 11(d) (with the initial addresses for the
     Existing Investors and each person which the Purchaser  comprises as set
     forth in the Purchase Agreement, and with copies to be sent as specified
     in the Purchase Agreement); and

               (2) if to the  Company,  initially at its address set forth in
     the Purchase  Agreement and thereafter at such other address,  notice of
     which is given in accordance  with the provisions of this Section 11(d),
     with a copy to: Latham & Watkins,  1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite
     1300, Washington, D.C. 20004, Attention: Bruce E. Rosenblum.

          All such  notices and  communications  shall be deemed to have been
duly given:  at the time  delivered by hand,  if personally  delivered;  when
received if deposited in the mail,  postage  prepaid,  if mailed;  and on the
next  business  day,  if  timely  delivered  to an air  courier  guaranteeing
overnight delivery.

          (e)  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts  and by the  parties  hereto in separate  counterparts,  each of
which when so  executed  shall be deemed to be an  original  and all of which
taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

          (f) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

          (g)  Governing  Law.  This  Agreement  shall  be  governed  by  and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

          (h)  Severability.  In  the  event  that  any  one or  more  of the
provisions  contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance,
is held  invalid,  illegal  or  unenforceable,  the  validity,  legality  and
enforceability of any such provision in every other

                                      17


<PAGE>



respect  and  of the  remaining  provisions  contained  herein  shall  not be
affected or impaired thereby.

          (i) Entire Agreement.  This Agreement is intended by the parties as
a final  expression  of their  agreement  and  intended to be a complete  and
exclusive  statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto
in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions,
promises,  warranties or undertakings  as to the subject  matter,  other than
those set forth or referred to herein with respect to the registration rights
granted by the Company with respect to the  securities  sold  pursuant to the
Purchase  Agreement.  This  Agreement  supersedes  all prior  agreements  and
understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

          (j) Successors and Assigns.  The rights and obligations  granted to
the  Purchasers  pursuant  to  this  Agreement  may be  transferred  by  each
Purchaser to any  affiliate of such  Purchaser or to any Person  acquiring at
least 500 shares of Registrable Securities (adjusted to reflect the effect of
any stock split,  subdivision,  reclassification,  combination  or other like
event); provided, however, that the transferee will provide written notice to
the Company stating the name and address of the  transferee,  identifying the
securities  with respect to which such rights have been assigned and agreeing
to be bound by this Agreement.

                           [signature pages follow]

                                      18


<PAGE>


          IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties have executed this Agreement as of
the date first written above.
                                BLADE ACQUISITION CORP.

                                By_______________________________
                                  Name:
                                  Title:

                                CARLYLE-BLADE ACQUISITION
                                PARTNERS, L.P.

                                By:      CARLYLE PARTNERS II, L.P.
                                Its:     General Partner

                                By:      TC GROUP, L.L.C.
                                Its:     General Partner

                                By:      TCG HOLDINGS COMPANY
                                Its:     Managing Member

                                By:______________________________
                                   Name:
                                   Title:

                                THIOKOL HOLDING COMPANY

                                By:______________________________
                                   Name:
                                   Title:

                                      19
<PAGE>

                         HOLDING MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
                         ----------------------------


     This Management Agreement ("Agreement"),  dated as of December 13, 1995,
is entered into by and between  Howmet  Corporation,  a Delaware  corporation
(the  "Company"),   and  Thiokol  Holding  Company,  a  Delaware  corporation
("Holding").

     WHEREAS,  Holding has agreed to acquire common stock and preferred stock
ownership  interests in Blade Acquisition  Corp., a Delaware  corporation and
the  indirect  owner of 100% of the capital  stock of the Company  ("Blade"),
pursuant to the terms of a Stock Purchase  Agreement  dated December 13, 1995
(the  "Stock   Purchase   Agreement")  by  and  among  Blade,   Carlyle-Blade
Acquisition Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership  ("Carlyle"),  and
Holding.

     WHEREAS, Carlyle has agreed to acquire a common stock ownership interest
in Blade pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement.

     WHEREAS,  upon acquisition of ownership interests by Holding and Carlyle
in Blade,  Carlyle  and  Holding  will own all of the issued and  outstanding
common stock of Blade.




<PAGE>



     WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement,  Holding
and Carlyle  have agreed that it is in the best  interests of the Company for
Holding to provide  management  services to the Company pursuant to the terms
and conditions set forth herein.


                                  AGREEMENT
                                  ---------


     NOW THEREFORE,  in consideration  of the premises and mutual  agreements
set forth in this  Agreement,  and  subject to the terms and  conditions  set
forth herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:

     Section 1. Definitions
     ----------------------

     Capitalized terms used herein,  unless otherwise  defined herein,  shall
have the meanings ascribed to them in the Stock Purchase Agreement.

     Section 2. Services
     -------------------

     A. Holding  shall advise and assist the Board of Directors and the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company regarding the formulation and implementation
of the  business  strategies  for the Company and its  subsidiaries.  Holding
shall use its  reasonable  best efforts to identify and assist the Company in
evaluating corporate opportunities,  including marketing  opportunities,  and
financial  strategies  and to assist the  Company and its  Subsidiaries  with
respect  to  lender,  securityholder  and  public  and  government  relations
matters.  The precise  nature of the  services to be  performed  hereunder by
Holding shall be determined by the mutual  agreement of Holding and the Board
of Directors of the Company, and Holding shall devote such time and resources
as are  reasonably  necessary to provide such  services.  In connection  with
rendering services hereunder, Holding shall designate certain of its officers
and  employees  to  serve  on the  Board  of  Directors  of  Blade,  Pechiney
Corporation,  a wholly-owned  subsidiary of Blade ("Pechiney Corp."), and the
Company in


                                      2


<PAGE>



accordance  with the terms of the Stock Purchase  Agreement.  The Company and
Holding shall use their  reasonable  best efforts to ensure that the services
provided  by  Holding  are  performed  and  documented  in  conformity   with
government contracting rules.

     Section 3. Consideration
     ------------------------

     In consideration for the management  services to be provided by Holding,
the Company shall pay to Holding, and Holding shall be entitled to receive an
annual management fee of $1,000,000 (the "Annual  Management Fee"),  accruing
quarterly  at the rate of  $250,000  (pro  rated  in the case of any  partial
quarter),  and payable on the last business day of each calendar  quarter and
continuing  thereafter  each  succeeding  quarter until  termination  of this
Agreement  pursuant to Section 4 below. All such payments shall be subject to
compliance with the terms and conditions of the Credit  Agreement among Blade
Acquisition  Corp.,  Howmet Holding  Acquisition  Corp.,  Howmet  Acquisition
Corp., various banks, Bankers Trust Company, Citicorp USA, Inc. and The First
National  Bank of Chicago,  as Managing  Agents,  Bankers Trust  Company,  as
Syndication Agent,  Citicorp USA, Inc., as Documentation  Agent and The First
National Bank of Chicago,  as Administrative  Agent, dated as of December 13,
1995. The Annual  Management Fee shall  constitute full  compensation for the
services provided hereunder by Holding,  and shall cover, among other things,
compensation  for  directors,  officers and employees of Holding who serve on
the Board of  Directors  of Blade,  Pechiney  Corp.,  the  Company  and their
subsidiaries  (provided  that,  in  addition  to the Annual  Management  Fee,
Holding shall also receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket  expenses incurred
by Holding and its employees in connection with provision of Holding services
hereunder).

     Section 4. Term
     ---------------


                                      3



<PAGE>



     This Agreement  shall take effect as of the date first above written and
shall continue until Holding and its Affiliated  Transferees no longer retain
ownership of at least  one-half of the shares of Common Stock held by Holding
on the Closing  Date (after  giving  effect to all  transactions  pursuant to
Article 1 of the Stock Purchase Agreement).

     Section 5. Reimbursement; Indemnification
     -----------------------------------------

     The  Company  agrees to  reimburse  Holding,  its  affiliates  and their
respective  directors,  officers,  employees,  agents and controlling persons
(each an "Indemnified  Party")  promptly upon demand for expenses  (including
fees and expenses of legal  counsel) as they are incurred in connection  with
the investigation of, preparation for or defense of any pending or threatened
claim,  or any  litigation,  proceeding  or other  action in  respect  of the
engagement of Holding under this  Agreement,  or any actions taken or omitted
or services  performed  under, by or in connection  with this Agreement.  The
Company also agrees (in connection  with the foregoing) to indemnify and hold
harmless each Indemnified Party from and against any and all losses,  claims,
damages and liabilities, joint or several, to which any Indemnified Party may
become subject,  including any amount paid in settlement of any litigation or
other  action  (commenced  or  threatened),  to which the Company  shall have
consented in writing (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld),  whether
or not  any  Indemnified  Party  is a  party  and  whether  or not  liability
resulted; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable pursuant to
this  Section 5 in respect of any loss,  claim,  damage or  liability  to the
extent that a court having  competent  jurisdiction  shall have determined by
final judgment (not subject to further appeal) that such loss, claim,  damage
or liability resulted primarily and directly from the willful  misfeasance or
gross negligence of such

                                      4



<PAGE>


Indemnified Party.  The provisions of this Section 5 shall survive any 
termination of this Agreement.

     Section 6. Miscellaneous
     ------------------------

     A.  Assignment.  This  Agreement may not be assigned or  transferred  by
Holding or the  Company  without  the  express  written  consent of the other
party;  provided  that  Holding  shall be  permitted to assign its rights and
obligations hereunder to any Affiliate of Holding without such consent.

     B.  Amendment.  This  Agreement  may not be amended  except by a written
instrument executed by all of the parties.

     C. Choice of Law. This Agreement is made under and shall be construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on
the date first above written.

                                  "Holding"

                                   THIOKOL HOLDING COMPANY,
                                   a Delaware corporation


                                   By:_______________________________________
                                   Its:______________________________________


                                   "Company"

                                   HOWMET CORPORATION,
                                   a Delaware corporation


                                   By:_______________________________________
                                   Its:______________________________________



                                      5

<PAGE>

                      THIOKOL TRANSACTION FEE AGREEMENT
                      ---------------------------------


     This  Transaction Fee Agreement  ("Agreement")  dated as of December 13,
1995 is entered into by and between  Howmet  Holdings  Acquisition  Corp.,  a
Delaware  corporation  ("Howmet"),   and  Thiokol  Corporation,   a  Delaware
corporation ("Thiokol").

     WHEREAS,  Thiokol has  negotiated  the terms and  conditions  of a joint
venture  acquisition  with  Carlyle-Blade  Acquisition  Partners L.P. through
Thiokol's  wholly-owned  subsidiary  Thiokol Holding Company to establish and
capitalize  Blade  Acquisition  Corp.  for the  purpose of  acquiring  Howmet
Corporation and the Cercast Group of Companies (the "Acquisition");

     WHEREAS, Thiokol has provided (i) management advice for the organization
and structure of the  Acquisition,  (ii) provided  capital to the Acquisition
and (iii) assisted in arranging the Acquisition's debt financing.

     NOW THEREFORE,  for the consideration  set forth in this Agreement,  and
subject to the terms and  conditions  set forth  herein,  the parties  hereby
agree as follows:

     A. Fee For  Transactional  and Advisory  Services.  As compensation  for
Thiokol's  advisory  services  and  services  related  to  the  negotiations,
structuring,  and for the financing of the Acquisition,  Howmet agrees to pay
to Thiokol  promptly  following the date hereof a $2,000,000  transaction fee
("Transaction Fee"). Thiokol acknowledges the



<PAGE>


Transaction Fee shall constitute full  compensation  for services  (including
out of pocket expenses,  except that nothing herein affects the obligation of
Blade to pay expenses of Thiokol and its  Affiliates  pursuant to Section 5.1
of the Stock Purchase Agreement).

     B.  Amendment.  This  Agreement  may not be amended  except by a written
instrument executed by all of the parties.

     C. Choice of Law. This Agreement is made under and shall be construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on
the date first above written.

                                    "Thiokol"

                                    THIOKOL CORPORATION, a Delaware
                                    corporation

                                    By:______________________________________

                                    Its:_____________________________________


                                    "Howmet"

                                    HOWMET HOLDINGS ACQUISITION CORP.,
                                    a Delaware corporation

                                    By:_____________________________________

                                    Its:____________________________________


<PAGE>

                                   AMENDED
                   CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES
                  AND RELATIVE, PARTICIPATING, OPTIONAL AND
                      OTHER SPECIAL RIGHTS OF PREFERRED
                    STOCK AND QUALIFICATIONS, LIMITATIONS
                           AND RESTRICTIONS THEREOF

                                      OF

                       9.0% SERIES A SENIOR CUMULATIVE
                               PREFERRED STOCK

                                      OF

                           BLADE ACQUISITION CORP.

                          -------------------------

                        Pursuant to Section 151 of the
               General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware

                          -------------------------

     BLADE  ACQUISITION  CORP., a Delaware  corporation (the  "Corporation"),
certifies that: (i) no shares of the Corporation  have been issued;  and (ii)
pursuant to the authority  contained in Article Fourth of its  Certificate of
Incorporation (the "Certificate of Incorporation") and in accordance with the
provisions  of Section  151 of the  General  Corporation  Law of the State of
Delaware (the "Act"),  the Board of Directors of the  Corporation  by written
consent dated as of December 12, 1995 duly adopted the following  resolution,
which resolution remains in full force and effect on the date hereof:

     RESOLVED,  that,  pursuant  to the  authority  expressly  granted to and
vested in the Board of Directors of the  Corporation  in accordance  with the
provisions of its Certificate of Incorporation, the preferences and relative,
participating,   optional  and  other  special  rights  and   qualifications,
limitations  and  restrictions  of  the  Series  A  Preferred  Stock  of  the
Corporation  described in a certificate  filed with the Secretary of State of
the State of  Delaware  on  December  12,  1995 be and hereby are  amended as
follows:



<PAGE>

     1.   Certain Definitions
          -------------------

     Unless  the  context  otherwise  requires,  the  terms  defined  in this
paragraph 1 shall have,  for all  purposes of this  resolution,  the meanings
herein  specified  (with  terms  defined in the  singular  having  comparable
meanings when used in the plural).

     "Affiliate" or "Affiliates"  as applied to any Person,  means any Person
directly or indirectly  controlling,  controlled  by, or under common control
with, that person. For the purposes of this definition,  "control" (including
with  correlative  meanings,  the terms  'controlling,"  "controlled  by" and
"under common control with"), as applied to any Person, means the possession,
directly or indirectly,  of the power to direct or cause the direction of the
management  and policies of that  Person,  whether  through the  ownership of
voting securities or by contract or otherwise.

     "Beneficial  Ownership"  shall have the meanings given to these terms or
words in Rules  13(d)(3)  and  13(d)(5) of the Rules and  Regulations  of the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, as in effect on the date hereof.

     "Business  Day" shall mean a day other than a Saturday,  a Sunday or any
other day on which banking  institutions in New York, New York are authorized
or obligated by law to close.

     "Carlyle"  shall  mean  Carlyle  Blade  Acquisition  Partners,  L.P.,  a
Delaware limited partnership.

     "Common Equity" shall mean all shares now or hereafter authorized of any
class of common stock of the Corporation,  however designated,  including the
Common Stock, and any other stock of the Corporation,  howsoever  designated,
authorized  after the Initial Issue Date, which has the right (subject always
to prior rights of any class or series of preferred  stock) to participate in
the distribution of the assets and earnings of the Corporation  without limit
as to per share amount.

     "Common Stock" shall mean the common stock, par value $.01 per share, of
the Corporation.

     "Delinquent Mandatory Redemption Price" shall mean, with respect to each
share of Series A  Preferred  Stock,  $10,000  (adjusted  for  stock  splits,
subdivisions, combinations and similar transactions), plus an amount equal to
$10,000 multiplied by the number or fraction of a share of Series A Preferred
Stock representing  accrued and unpaid PIK Dividends in respect of such share
of  Series A  Preferred  Stock  (adjusted  for  stock  splits,  subdivisions,
combinations and similar transactions),  plus an amount thereon accruing from
the Mandatory Redemption Date relating thereto at the Increasing Rate.

     "Holding" shall mean Thiokol Holding Company, a Delaware corporation.



                                      2



<PAGE>



     "Increasing Rate" shall mean, with respect to any obligation,  an annual
rate equal to eleven percent (11%), compounded quarterly.

     "Initial  Issue  Date"  shall  mean the date  that  shares  of  Series A
Preferred Stock are first issued by the Corporation.

     "Junior  Stock" shall mean,  for  purposes of paragraph 2 below,  Common
Equity and any class or series of capital stock of the  Corporation,  however
designated,  which is not  entitled  to  receive  any  dividends  unless  all
dividends required to have been paid or declared and set apart for payment on
the Series A  Preferred  Stock  shall have been so paid or  declared  and set
apart for payment or the Series A Preferred Stock has been redeemed,  and for
purposes  of  paragraph 3 below,  shall mean  Common  Equity and any class or
series of capital stock of the Corporation,  however designated, which is not
entitled to receive any assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the affairs of the Corporation  until the Series A Preferred Stock shall have
received  the  entire  amount  to which  such  stock is  entitled  upon  such
liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

     "Liquidation  Price"  shall mean $10,000 per share of Series A Preferred
Stock,  plus an amount equal to $10,000  multiplied by the number or fraction
of a share of Series A Preferred  Stock  representing  accrued and unpaid PIK
Dividends in respect of such share of Series A Preferred Stock,  adjusted for
stock splits, subdivisions, combinations and similar transactions.

     "Mandatory  Redemption  Date"  shall  have  the  meaning  set  forth  in
subparagraph 4(a) below.

     "Mandatory  Redemption  Obligation"  shall have the meaning set forth in
subparagraph 4(c) below.

     "Optional   Redemption  Date"  shall  have  the  meaning  set  forth  in
subparagraph 5(a) below.

     "Person" shall mean and include natural persons,  corporations,  limited
partnerships,  general partnerships,  limited liability partnerships, limited
liability  companies,  joint stock companies,  joint ventures,  associations,
companies, trusts or other organizations,  whether or not legal entities, and
governments and agencies and political subdivisions thereof.

     "PIK Dividends" shall mean the "paid-in-kind"  dividends as set forth in
paragraph 2 below.

     "PIK Dividend Payment Date" shall mean the 13th day of each March, June,
September  and December,  commencing  March 13, 1996, in each year during the
PIK Dividend Payment Period.



                                      3



<PAGE>



     "PIK Dividend Payment Period" shall mean the period from, and including,
the Initial Issue Date to, but not including, the date the Series A Preferred
Stock is redeemed and the redemption price is paid in full.

     "PIK Dividend  Period" shall mean the period from,  and  including,  the
Initial Issue Date,  to, but not  including,  the first PIK Dividend  Payment
Date and  thereafter,  each  quarterly  period,  including  any PIK  Dividend
Payment Date to, but not including, the next PIK Dividend Payment Date.

     "PIK Record Date" shall mean the date that is ten business days prior to
any PIK Dividend Payment Date.

     "Quarterly  Per Share PIK Dividend  Amount" shall mean a fraction of one
share of Series A Preferred  Stock equal to nine percent  (9.0%) per annum of
one  share,  divided  by four  (e.g.,  2.25% per  quarter),  of the  Series A
Preferred Stock.

     "Redemption  Price"  shall mean,  with respect to each share of Series A
Preferred  Stock,  $10,000 plus an amount equal to $10,000  multiplied by the
fraction  of a share of Series A  Preferred  Stock  representing  accrued and
unpaid PIK  Dividends  in respect of such share of Series A Preferred  Stock,
adjusted   for  stock   splits,   subdivisions,   combinations   and  similar
transactions.

     "Subsidiary"  shall  mean  any  corporation,   association  partnership,
limited  partnership,   limited  liability  partnership,   limited  liability
company,  business trust or other business entity of which 50% or more of the
total  voting  power of shares of stock  entitled to vote in the  election of
directors,  managers or trustees  thereof is at the time owned or controlled,
directly  or  indirectly,  by the  Corporation  or one or more  of the  other
subsidiaries of the Corporation or a combination thereof.

     2.  Dividends.
         ---------

     (a) The record  holders of Series A  Preferred  Stock on each PIK Record
Date shall receive on each PIK Dividend  Payment Date during the PIK Dividend
Payment Period per share dividends in additional fully paid and nonassessable
shares of Series A Preferred  Stock legally  available for such purpose (such
dividends being herein called "PIK  Dividends").  PIK Dividends shall be paid
by delivering to the record  holders of Series A Preferred  Stock a number of
shares of Series A Preferred  Stock (which  number of shares shall be rounded
to the nearest one  thousandth  of a share) equal to (i) the number of shares
of Series A Preferred  Stock held by such holder on the applicable PIK Record
Date,  multiplied by (ii) the Quarterly  Per Share PIK Dividend  Amount.  Any
additional  shares  of  Series A  Preferred  Stock  issued  pursuant  to this
paragraph  shall be governed by this  resolution  and shall be subject in all
respects, except as to the date of issuance and date from which PIK Dividends
accrue and  cumulate as set forth  below,  to the same terms as the shares of
Series A Preferred Stock originally issued hereunder.



                                      4



<PAGE>



     (b)  Prior  to each  PIK  Record  Date  immediately  preceding  each PIK
Dividend  Payment  Date,  the Board of  Directors  of the  Corporation  shall
declare PIK  Dividends  on the Series A Preferred  Stock in  accordance  with
paragraph  2(a) above,  payable on the next PIK Dividend  Payment  Date.  PIK
Dividends on shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall accrue on a daily basis
at a rate per  annum  equal to nine  percent  (9%) of one  share of  Series A
Preferred  Stock,  cumulated  quarterly (based on the assumption of a 360 day
year  composed  of twelve 30 day  months  and four 90 day  quarters),  and be
cumulative  from the date of issuance of such shares through the PIK Dividend
Payment  Period.  PIK  Dividends  shall be payable in arrears  during the PIK
Dividend Payment Period on each PIK Dividend Payment Date,  commencing on the
first PIK Dividend  Payment  Date,  and for shares  issued as PIK  Dividends,
commencing  on the first PIK  Dividend  Payment  Date after  such  shares are
issued.  If any PIK  Dividend  Payment  Date  occurs  on a day  that is not a
Business  Day,  any  accrued  PIK  Dividends  otherwise  payable  on such PIK
Dividend Payment Date shall be paid on the next succeeding  Business Day. PIK
Dividends  shall be paid to the  holders of record of the Series A  Preferred
Stock on each PIK  Dividend  Payment  Date as their names shall appear on the
share  register  of  the  Corporation  on the  PIK  Record  Date  immediately
preceding such PIK Dividend Payment Date. PIK Dividends on PIK Dividends that
are in arrears for any past PIK Dividend  Periods shall  accumulate as if the
earlier PIK Dividends  were issued as provided  above,  and shall be accrued.
Unpaid dividends may be declared and paid at any time to holders of record on
the PIK Record Date therefor.

     (c) So  long  as any  shares  of  Series  A  Preferred  Stock  shall  be
outstanding,  the Corporation shall not declare, pay or set apart for payment
on any Junior Stock any  dividends or  distributions  whatsoever,  whether in
cash,  property or otherwise  (other than dividends  payable in shares of the
class or series upon which such dividends are declared or paid, or payable in
shares of Common Stock with respect to Junior Stock other than Common Stock),
nor shall any Junior Stock be  purchased,  redeemed or otherwise  acquired by
the Corporation or any of its  Subsidiaries,  nor shall any monies be paid or
made  available  for a  sinking  fund  for any  purchase  or  redemption  not
permitted by the foregoing.

     (d) In the event that full  dividends are not paid or made  available to
the holders of all  outstanding  shares of Series A Preferred Stock and funds
available for payment of dividends shall be insufficient to permit payment in
full to holders of all such stock of the full  preferential  amounts to which
they are then  entitled,  then the entire  amount  available  for  payment of
dividends  shall be  distributed  ratably  among all such holders of Series A
Preferred  Stock  in  proportion  to the full  amount  to  which  they  would
otherwise be respectively entitled.

     (e)  Notwithstanding  anything  contained  herein  to the  contrary,  no
dividends  on shares of Series A  Preferred  Stock  shall be  declared by the
Board of Directors of the Corporation or paid or set apart for payment by the
Corporation  at such time if such  declaration or payment shall be restricted
or prohibited by law.



                                      5



<PAGE>



     3.  Distributions Upon Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up.
         ----------------------------------------------------------

     (a)  In  the  event  of  any  voluntary  or   involuntary   liquidation,
dissolution or other winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, before any
payment or  distribution  shall be made to the holders of Junior  Stock,  the
holders of Series A  Preferred  Stock shall be entitled to be paid out of the
assets  of the  Corporation  in cash,  or, if the  Corporation  does not have
sufficient  cash on hand to pay such amounts,  property of the Corporation at
its fair  market  value  as  determined  by the  Board  of  Directors  of the
Corporation,  the Liquidation Price per share of Series A Preferred Stock. No
holder  shall  be  entitled  to  payment  until  such  holder  has  delivered
certificates  for the  Series  A  Preferred  Stock  held by such  holder  and
instruments acceptable to the Corporation  transferring title to such shares,
or shall have delivered a duly executed  affidavit of lost certificate to the
Corporation.

     (b) If, upon any such  liquidation,  dissolution  or other winding up of
the  affairs  of the  Corporation,  the  assets of the  Corporation  shall be
insufficient to permit the payment in full of the Liquidation  Price for each
share of the Series A  Preferred  Stock,  then the assets of the  Corporation
shall be ratably distributed among the holders of Series A Preferred Stock in
proportion to the full amounts to which they would  otherwise be respectively
entitled if all  amounts  thereon  were paid in full.  The  consolidation  or
merger of the  Corporation  into or with another  corporation or corporations
that is not a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Corporation, or the sale, lease,
transfer  or  conveyance  of all or  substantially  all of the  assets of the
Corporation to another  Person that is not a  wholly-owned  Subsidiary of the
Corporation  shall be deemed a liquidation,  dissolution or winding up of the
affairs of the Corporation within the meaning of this paragraph 3.

     4.  Mandatory Redemption by the Corporation.
         ---------------------------------------

     (a) The Corporation shall redeem, on the date (the "Mandatory Redemption
Date") that is the  earlier of (i) ten years after the Initial  Issue Date or
(ii)  immediately  prior to a merger,  consolidation or sale of assets of the
Corporation that is deemed to be a liquidation under paragraph 3(b) above, or
a sale by  Carlyle  or its  Affiliates  of more  than 25% of the  outstanding
Common Stock to Persons which are not Affiliates of Carlyle,  all of the then
outstanding  shares of Series A Preferred  Stock at the  Redemption  Price. A
sale that  results in a change of  Beneficial  Ownership  of shares of Common
Stock held by Carlyle or its Affiliates that is in substance a sale of Common
Stock to Person(s)  who are not  Affiliates of Carlyle will be deemed to be a
sale of Common Stock within the meaning of the preceding  sentence,  provided
that  Transfers  by limited  partners  of  partners of Carlyle of less than a
majority  of the  Beneficial  Ownership  of  Carlyle  or  Transfers  in which
partners of Carlyle  and/or  their  limited  partners or other owners are not
acting in  concert  in such a  Transfer  will not be deemed to be such a sale
within the meaning of the prior sentence. For this purpose,  "Transfer" means
a sale, transfer, assignment or other disposition of Beneficial Ownership.

     (b)  Shares of Series A  Preferred  Stock  which  have been  issued  and
reacquired in any manner,  including as a result of  redemption,  shall (upon
compliance  with any  applicable  provisions  of the Act) have the  status of
authorized and unissued shares of the


                                      6



<PAGE>



class of preferred  stock of the Corporation  undesignated as to series,  and
may be redesignated  and reissued as part of any series of preferred stock of
the Corporation; provided, however, that no such issued and reacquired shares
of Series A Preferred Stock shall be reissued as Series A Preferred Stock.

     (c) If on the Mandatory  Redemption  Date the  Corporation  is unable or
shall fail to discharge its  obligation to redeem all  outstanding  shares of
Series A Preferred  Stock  required  to be redeemed on such date  pursuant to
paragraph 4(a) (the "Mandatory Redemption Obligation"), the Corporation shall
redeem on such  Mandatory  Redemption  Date the  number of shares of Series A
Preferred  Stock  which it is able to redeem,  ratably  among the  holders of
Series A  Preferred  Stock in  proportion  to the full  amounts to which they
would otherwise be respectively  entitled if all shares of Series A Preferred
Stock required to be redeemed on such date were redeemed. In such a case, the
remainder  of the  Redemption  Price  payable  but not paid at the  Mandatory
Redemption Date shall be converted into the Delinquent  Mandatory  Redemption
Price and shall be discharged as soon as the Corporation is able to discharge
such Delinquent  Mandatory  Redemption  Price out of funds legally  available
therefor.

     (d)  Notice  of any  redemption  shall  be sent by or on  behalf  of the
Corporation  not more than  sixty  (60) days nor less than  thirty  (30) days
prior to any Mandatory  Redemption Date, by registered mail, postage prepaid,
return  receipt  requested,  and  facsimile  transmission,  if  known  to the
Corporation to be available at the office of the recipient, to all holders of
record of the Series A Preferred Stock at their  respective last addresses as
they shall appear on the books of the Corporation; provided, however, that no
failure to give such notice or any defect  therein or in the mailing  thereof
shall affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any shares
of Series A Preferred  Stock except as to the holder to whom the  Corporation
has  failed to give  notice or except  as to the  holder to whom  notice  was
defective.  In  addition  to  any  information  required  by  law  or by  the
applicable  rules of any exchange upon which Series A Preferred  Stock may be
listed or admitted to trading,  such notice  shall state:  (i) the  Mandatory
Redemption  Date;  (ii) the Redemption  Price;  (iii) the number of shares of
Series A  Preferred  Stock to be  redeemed;  (iv) the place or  places  where
certificates  for  such  shares  are to be  surrendered  for  payment  of the
Redemption  Price;  and (v) that  dividends on the shares to be redeemed will
cease to accrue on the  Mandatory  Redemption  Date.  Upon the mailing of any
such notices of redemption,  the Corporation shall become obligated to redeem
at the time of redemption specified therein all shares called for redemption.

     (e) If notice  has been  mailed in  accordance  with  subparagraph  4(e)
above,  and  provided  that,  on or  before  the  Mandatory  Redemption  Date
specified in such notice,  all funds necessary for such redemption shall have
been set aside by the Corporation, separate and apart from its other funds in
trust for the pro rata  benefit  of the  holders  of the shares so called for
redemption,  so as to be, and to continue to be,  available  therefor,  then,
from and after the Mandatory  Redemption Date, dividends on the shares of the
Series A Preferred Stock so called for redemption shall cease to accrue,  and
said shares  shall no longer be deemed to be  outstanding  and shall not have
the  status  of shares of Series A  Preferred  Stock,  and all  rights of the
holders thereof as shareholders of the Corporation (except the right to


                                      7


<PAGE>



receive from the Corporation the Redemption Price) shall cease,  irrespective
of whether  any  certificates  for shares  called  for  redemption  have been
surrendered  to the  Corporation.  Upon  surrender,  in accordance  with said
notice, of the certificates for any shares so redeemed  (properly endorsed or
assigned for transfer),  such shares shall be redeemed by the  Corporation at
the Redemption  Price and no holder of shares called for redemption  shall be
entitled  to receive  payment of the  Redemption  Price  therefor  until such
surrender  to the  Corporation  has  been  accomplished  or a  duly  executed
affidavit of lost  certificate  shall have been delivered to the Corporation.
In case fewer than all the shares  represented  by any such  certificate  are
redeemed,  a new certificate or certificates shall be issued representing the
unredeemed  shares  without  cost  to the  holder  thereof  (so  long as such
certificate is issued to the holder).

     (f) Any funds  deposited with a bank or trust company for the purpose of
redeeming  Series A Preferred Stock and interest thereon shall be irrevocable
except  that any  balance  of  monies so  deposited  by the  Corporation  and
unclaimed by the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock entitled  thereto at
the expiration of two (2) years from the applicable Mandatory Redemption Date
shall be repaid, together with any interest or other earnings earned thereon,
to the Corporation,  and after any such repayment,  the holders of the shares
entitled  to the funds so repaid to the  Corporation  shall  look only to the
Corporation  for payment  without  interest or other earnings  accruing after
return to the  Corporation.  Interest and earnings  accruing prior thereto on
such  deposited  funds  will be  paid  to the  shareholders  whose  Series  A
Preferred  Stock is being redeemed pro rata in accordance  with the number of
shares being redeemed.

     (g)  Notwithstanding  anything  to the  contrary  herein,  no  Series  A
Preferred Stock may be redeemed  except with funds legally  available for the
payment of the Redemption Price.

     (h) Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary herein, no redemption need
be made by the Corporation on any Mandatory  Redemption Date if prior to such
date  holders of a majority of the  outstanding  shares of Series A Preferred
Stock  shall  have  waived in writing  their  right to a  redemption  on such
Mandatory Redemption Date.

     5.  Optional Redemption
         -------------------

     (a) To the extent the Corporation shall have funds legally available for
such payment, the Corporation may redeem, at any time after the Initial Issue
Date, all or any portion of the then outstanding shares of Series A Preferred
Stock at the  Redemption  Price.  The date  selected for such  redemption  in
accordance  with  this  paragraph  5 shall be  referred  to as the  "Optional
Redemption Date."

     (b) In the case of a  partial  redemption  of the  outstanding  Series A
Preferred  Stock in  accordance  with this  paragraph  5,  shares of Series A
Preferred  Stock shall be redeemed pro rata in accordance  with each holder's
ownership of Series A Preferred Stock.



                                      8



<PAGE>



     (c)  Notice  of any  redemption  shall  be sent by or on  behalf  of the
Corporation  not more than  sixty  (60) days nor less than  thirty  (30) days
prior to any Optional  Redemption Date, by registered mail,  postage prepaid,
return  receipt  requested  and  facsimile  transmission,  if  known  to  the
Corporation to be available at the office of the recipient, to all holders of
record of the Series A Preferred Stock at their  respective last addresses as
they shall appear on the books of the Corporation; provided, however, that no
failure to give such notice or any defect  therein or in the mailing  thereof
shall affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any shares
of Series A Preferred  Stock except as to the holder to whom the  Corporation
has  failed to give  notice or except  as to the  holder to whom  notice  was
defective.  In  addition  to  any  information  required  by  law  or by  the
applicable  rules of any exchange upon which Series A Preferred  Stock may be
listed or admitted to trading,  such notice  shall  state:  (i) the  Optional
Redemption  Date;  (ii) the Redemption  Price;  (iii) the number of shares of
Series A  Preferred  Stock to be  redeemed;  (iv) the place or  places  where
certificates  for  such  shares  are to be  surrendered  for  payment  of the
Redemption  Price;  and (v) that  dividends on the shares to be redeemed will
cease to accrue on the Optional Redemption Date. Upon the mailing of any such
notices of redemption,  the Corporation  shall become  obligated to redeem at
the time of redemption specified therein all shares called for redemption.

     (d) If notice  has been  mailed in  accordance  with  subparagraph  5(c)
above, and provided that, on or before the Optional Redemption Date specified
in such notice,  all funds necessary for such redemption  shall have been set
aside by the  Corporation,  separate  and apart from its other funds in trust
for the  pro  rata  benefit  of the  holders  of the  shares  so  called  for
redemption,  so as to be, and to continue to be,  available  therefor,  then,
from and after the Optional  Redemption Date,  dividends on the shares of the
Series A Preferred Stock so called for redemption shall cease to accrue,  and
said shares  shall no longer be deemed to be  outstanding  and shall not have
the  status  of shares of Series A  Preferred  Stock,  and all  rights of the
holders  thereof as  shareholders  of the  Corporation  (except  the right to
receive from the Corporation the Redemption Price) shall cease,  irrespective
of whether  any  certificates  for shares  called  for  redemption  have been
surrendered  to the  Corporation.  Upon  surrender,  in accordance  with said
notice, of the certificates for any shares so redeemed  (properly endorsed or
assigned for transfer),  such shares shall be redeemed by the  Corporation at
the Redemption  Price and no holder of shares called for redemption  shall be
entitled  to receive  payment of the  Redemption  Price  therefor  until such
surrender  to the  Corporation  has  been  accomplished  or a  duly  executed
affidavit of lost  certificate  shall have been delivered to the Corporation.
In case fewer than all the shares  represented  by any such  certificate  are
redeemed,  a new certificate or certificates shall be issued representing the
unredeemed  shares  without  cost  to the  holder  thereof  (so  long as such
certificate is issued to the holder).

     (e) Any funds  deposited with a bank or trust company for the purpose of
redeeming  Series A Preferred Stock and interest thereon shall be irrevocable
except  that any  balance  of  monies so  deposited  by the  Corporation  and
unclaimed by the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock entitled  thereto at
the expiration of two (2) years from the applicable  Optional Redemption Date
shall be repaid, together with any interest or other earnings earned thereon,
to the Corporation, and after any such repayment, the holders of


                                      9



<PAGE>



the shares entitled to the funds so repaid to the Corporation shall look only
to the Corporation for payment  without  interest or other earnings  accruing
after return to the Corporation. Interest and earnings accruing prior thereto
on such  deposited  funds  will be paid to the  shareholders  whose  Series A
Preferred Stock is being redeemed,  pro rata in accordance with the number of
shares being redeemed.

     (f)  Notwithstanding  anything  to the  contrary  herein,  no  Series  A
Preferred Stock may be redeemed  except with funds legally  available for the
payment of the Redemption Price.

     6.  Voting Rights
         -------------

     (a) Holders of shares of Series A  Preferred  Stock shall have no voting
rights,  except as may be required by law or as  otherwise  set forth in this
paragraph 6.

     (b) In addition to any vote or consent of shareholders  required by law,
the  affirmative  consent  of the  holders  of a  majority  of the issued and
outstanding  shares  of  Series A  Preferred  Stock  at the time  outstanding
(voting as a single  class),  given in person or by proxy,  either in writing
without a meeting or by vote at any meeting called for the purpose,  shall be
necessary for effecting or validating:

          (i) Any amendment, alteration or repeal of any of the provisions of
the  Certificate  of  Incorporation   (including   without   limitation  this
Certificate of Designation)  or the by-laws of the Corporation  which affects
the voting  powers,  preferences  and relative,  participating,  optional and
other  special  rights of the holders of shares of Series A Preferred  Stock;
and

          (ii) Any authorization, issuance or creation of, or increase in the
amount  of, any class (or any  security  of any class)  with  preferences  on
dividend and liquidation rights pari passu with or senior to those of holders
of Series A Preferred Stock.

     (c) If the Company has not redeemed all of the Series A Preferred  Stock
on the Mandatory Redemption Date, the holders of shares of Series A Preferred
Stock,  voting  separately as a class and without  cumulative  voting,  shall
thereupon be entitled to elect (i) if Holding and its Affiliates then own all
or substantially  all of the Common Stock (as adjusted for  reclassifications
and substitutions)  initially issued to Holding for $98,000,000,  the minimum
number of directors of the  Corporation  so that the number so elected,  plus
the number of  directors,  if any,  that Holding and its  Affiliates,  voting
together,  then  have  the  power  to  elect by  voting  such  Common  Stock,
constitute  a  majority  of the Board of  Directors  or (ii)  otherwise,  two
directors. Upon election, such directors shall become additional directors of
the Corporation and,  immediately  prior to or upon election,  the authorized
number of directors of the Corporation  shall be  automatically  increased by
such number of additional directors.

     (d)  Whenever the voting  rights  under  Section 6(c) shall have vested,
such right may be exercised  without a meeting by the written  consent of the
number of


                                      10



<PAGE>



shares of Preferred Stock necessary to elect the directors  thereby  elected,
or at a special meeting of the holders of Series A Preferred Stock, called as
hereinafter  provided,  or at any annual meeting of stockholders held for the
purpose  of  electing  directors.  Such  right  of the  holders  of  Series A
Preferred  Stock to elect directors may be exercised until all such stock has
been redeemed.

     (e) At any time when the voting  rights  described in Section 6(c) shall
have vested in the holders of shares of Series A Preferred  Stock and if such
right shall not already have been initially  exercised,  the Secretary of the
Corporation  shall, upon the written request of holders of record of at least
ten percent (10%) of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding,
addressed to the  Secretary  of the  Corporation,  call a special  meeting of
holders of Series A Preferred Stock. Such meeting shall be held in accordance
with Delaware law at the earliest  practicable  date at a place designated by
the Secretary of the Corporation.  If such meeting shall not be called by the
Secretary of the Corporation  within thirty (30) days after personal  service
of such written  request upon the  Secretary  of the  Corporation,  or within
thirty  (30) days  after  mailing  the same  within  the  United  States,  by
registered  mail,  addressed  to  the  Secretary  of the  Corporation  at its
principal office (such mailing to be evidenced by the registry receipt issued
by the  postal  authorities),  then the  holders  of  record  of at least ten
percent (10%) of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock then  outstanding may
designate  in  writing  a holder  of  Series A  Preferred  Stock to call such
meeting at the expense of the Corporation,  and such meeting may be called by
such person so  designated  upon the notice  required for annual  meetings of
stockholders  and  shall  be in  accordance  with  Delaware  law  at a  place
designated  by such  holder.  Nothing in this  Section  6(d) shall effect the
right of holders of the Preferred Stock to take action by written consent and
without a meeting.

     (f) If any  director  so  elected  by the  holders of shares of Series A
Preferred  Stock  shall cease to serve as a director  before such  director's
term shall  expire,  the holders of shares of Series A  Preferred  Stock then
outstanding  may,  at the special  meeting of the holders  called as provided
above,  elect a  successor  to hold  office  for  the  unexpired  term of the
director whose place will be vacant.

     (g) In any matter in which holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock
may vote,  including  any action by written  consent,  each share of Series A
Preferred  Stock  shall be  entitled  to one (1) vote  (except  as  expressly
provided herein or as may be required by law).

     (h) Except as required by law,  the holders of Series A Preferred  Stock
shall not be entitled to elect  directors  as provided in this Section 6, the
directors  so elected by the  holders of the Series A  Preferred  Stock shall
cease to be  directors,  and the  size of the  Board  of  Directors  shall be
reduced  by the  number  of  directors  elected  by the  holders  of Series A
Preferred Stock immediately following the time that all outstanding shares of
the Series A  Preferred  Stock  shall have been  redeemed  or shall have been
called for  redemption  upon  proper  notice and  sufficient  funds  shall be
deposited in trust as provided above to effect such redemption.



                                      11



<PAGE>



     (i) A majority of the Board of Directors  may, at any time after holders
of the  Series A  Preferred  Stock  become  entitled  to vote  call or notice
meetings of the Board of Directors at such time and place as they specify. At
all such  times,  a majority of the Board of  Directors  shall  constitute  a
quorum and all then  existing  committees  of the Board of  Directors  may be
dissolved  by a  majority  of  the  Board  of  Directors.  No  Bylaws  of the
Corporation shall be contrary to this Section 6.

     7.  Exclusion of Other Rights.
         --------------------------

     Except as may  otherwise  be  required  by law,  the  shares of Series A
Preferred Stock shall not have any  preferences and relative,  participating,
optional or other special rights,  other than those specifically set forth in
this  resolution (as such  resolution may be amended from time to time as and
to the extent  permitted  by this  Certificate  of  Designations)  and in the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation.

     8.  Headings.
         ---------

     The headings of the various  subdivisions  hereof are for convenience of
reference  only  and  shall  not  affect  the  interpretation  of  any of the
provisions hereof.

     9.  Severability of Provisions.
         ---------------------------

     If any voting powers, preferences and relative, participating,  optional
and other special rights of the Series A Preferred Stock and  qualifications,
limitations  and  restrictions  thereof set forth in this resolution (as such
resolution  may be amended from time to time as permitted  above) is invalid,
unlawful  or  incapable  of being  enforced  by  reason of any rule of law or
public   policy,   all  other  voting  powers,   preferences   and  relative,
participating,  optional and other special rights of Series A Preferred Stock
and  qualifications,  limitations and restrictions  thereof set forth in this
resolution  (as so amended)  which can be given  effect  without the invalid,
unlawful  or   unenforceable   voting  powers,   preferences   and  relative,
participating,  optional and other special rights of Series A Preferred Stock
and qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof shall, nevertheless,
remain  in full  force and  effect,  and no voting  powers,  preferences  and
relative,  participating,  optional  or  other  special  rights  of  Series A
Preferred  Stock and  qualifications,  limitations and  restrictions  thereof
herein set forth shall be deemed dependent upon any other such voting powers,
preferences and relative, participating,  optional or other special rights of
Series A Preferred Stock and  qualifications,  limitations  and  restrictions
thereof unless so expressed herein.


     10. Bylaws. No Bylaw of the Corporation may be inconsistent  with, limit
in any way, or conflict with any of the foregoing provisions.




                                      12



<PAGE>


     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the Corporation has caused this  certificate to be
duly executed by an authorized  officer and attested by its  Secretary,  this
12th day of December, 1995.

                              BLADE ACQUISITION CORP.



                              By:____________________________________________
                                   Name:_____________________________________
                                   Title:____________________________________



Attest:




________________________
Assistant Secretary


                                      13



<PAGE>

                             STANDSTILL AGREEMENT



     This  Standstill  Agreement (the  "Standstill  Agreement"),  dated as of
December 13, 1995, is entered into by and among Thiokol  Holding  Company,  a
Delaware corporation ("Holding"), Thiokol Corporation, a Delaware corporation
("Thiokol"),  Carlyle-Blade  Acquisition  Partners,  L.P., a Delaware Limited
Partnership ("Carlyle-Blade"), TC Group, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability
company, TCG Holdings,  L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, Carlyle
Partners II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership,  and Carlyle Partners III,
L.P., a Delaware limited  partnership  (each a "Carlyle Entity" and, together
the "Carlyle Entities"). The parties agree as set forth below.


                            I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND
                               ------------------


     Carlyle Partners II, L.P. and Carlyle Partners III, L.P. are the General
Partners of Carlyle-Blade; TC Group, L.L.C. is the General Partner of Carlyle
Partners II, L.P. and Carlyle Partners III, L.P.; TCG Holdings, L.L.C. is the
Managing Member of TC Group, L.L.C.; and Holding is a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Thiokol.

     Holding,  Carlyle-Blade and others are entering into several agreements,
including  a Stock  Purchase  Agreement  (the  "Stock  Purchase  Agreement"),
pursuant  to which (i)  Holding  and  Carlyle-Blade  will  acquire all of the
issued and outstanding  securities of Blade Acquisition  Corp.  ("Blade") for
$250,000,000,  of which  $102,000,000  will be paid by Carlyle for 51% of the
Common Stock,  the only authorized  class of securities  entitled to vote for
the Board of Directors or on any other  matter,  $98,000,000  will be paid by
Holding for 49% of the Common Stock,  and $50,000,000 will be paid by Holding
for the non-voting  Preferred Stock,  (ii) Blade will borrow additional funds
and (iii) Blade will acquire all of the  outstanding  securities  of Pechiney
Corporation,  Howmet Cercast (USA),  Inc.,  Howmet  Cercast  (Canada),  Inc.,
Financiere  d'Ocquier  S.A.  and their  subsidiaries  (together,  the "Howmet
Cercast Group") for an aggregate purchase price in excess of $725,000,000.

     Pursuant  to a  Shareholders  Agreement  to be entered  into by Holding,
Carlyle-Blade and Blade, (i) the Board of Directors of Blade will consist of
three directors  designated by Carlyle-Blade,  three directors  designated by
Holding and the Chief Executive Officer of Blade and (ii)  Carlyle-Blade will
have  significant  veto rights over,  and access to all relevant  significant
information, including non-public confidential information,  concerning Blade
and the Howmet Cercast Group.

     After its acquisition of the Howmet Cercast Group,  Blade and the Howmet
Cercast Group will represent a material part of Thiokol.



<PAGE>




     The funds to be used by Holding to purchase the  securities of Blade are
being  directly  or  indirectly  supplied by Thiokol.  Without  those  funds,
Holding would not enter into the Stock Purchase Agreement,  nor would it have
the funds to  acquire  any  securities  of  Blade.  Without  the funds  being
supplied to Blade by Holding,  Blade could not finance the acquisition of, or
otherwise acquire, the Howmet Cercast Group.

     The  acquisition  of the Howmet  Cercast  Group by Blade is  expected to
provide the opportunity for very significant benefits,  both initially and in
the medium- or  long-term,  to  Carlyle-Blade  and some or all of the Carlyle
Entities.

     Thiokol  has  required,  as a condition  of  providing  such  funding to
Holding, and Holding has required,  as a condition of entering into the Stock
Purchase Agreement and using such funding to provide  $98,000,000 to purchase
49% of the Common Stock of Blade,  and  $50,000,000  to purchase  100% of the
non-voting  Preferred  Stock of Blade,  that  Carlyle-Blade  and the  Carlyle
Entities enter into this Standstill Agreement.  Carlyle-Blade and the Carlyle
Entities  are doing so to induce  Thiokol to  provide  such  $148,000,000  to
Thiokol  Holding  and to  induce  Thiokol  Holding  to enter  into the  Stock
Purchase  Agreement and to purchase 49% of the Common Stock of Blade and 100%
of the Preferred Stock of Blade pursuant thereto.


                               II. DEFINITIONS
                                   -----------


     The defined terms set forth below are used in this Standstill Agreement.

     "Beneficially Own", "Beneficial Ownership" and "Group" have the meanings
given to those terms or words in Rules 13(d)(3) and 13(d)(5) of the Rules and
Regulations of the Securities  and Exchange  Commission  under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as in effect on the date hereof.

     "Person"  means and  includes  natural  persons,  corporations,  general
partnerships,  limited liability partnerships,  joint stock companies,  joint
ventures, associations,  companies, limited liability companies, business and
other trusts,  or other  organizations,  whether or not legal  entities,  and
governments and agencies or political subdivisions thereof.

     Terms  not  otherwise  defined  in this  Standstill  Agreement  have the
meanings  given to them in the  Stock  Purchase  Agreement  and  Exhibit  "A"
thereto.


                               III. STANDSTILL
                                    ----------

     If the  closing of the  purchase  of the Howmet  Cercast  Group by Blade
occurs,  then none of Carlyle-Blade or any Carlyle Entity will,  individually
or in the aggregate,  directly or indirectly, do any of the following without
the prior  approval of a majority of the Board of Directors  of Thiokol:  (i)
acquire or, together with any securities of Thiokol now Beneficially Owned by
any of  them,  Beneficially  Own  any  securities  of  Thiokol  that,  in the
aggregate,  constitute 3% or more of the outstanding  securities of the class
of securities involved;  (ii) permit any Person of which Carlyle-Blade or any
Carlyle Entity is a controlling person to so acquire

                                      2



<PAGE>



or,  together  with any  securities  now  Beneficially  Owned by any of them,
Beneficially Own 3% or more of any class of securities of Thiokol; (iii) take
any action to directly or  indirectly  control or exercise  any control  over
Thiokol,  including,  without  limitation,  participating in a proxy contest,
voting agreement or trust with respect to Thiokol,  or to otherwise encourage
or induce  any other  Person to do any of the  foregoing;  or (iv)  otherwise
seek,  alone or in connection  with any other Person or Group, to directly or
indirectly  obtain  control  over,  Thiokol or  encourage or induce any other
Person or Group to do either of the foregoing.


                                 IV. REMEDIES
                                     --------


     For breaches of this Standstill Agreement,  Thiokol shall be entitled to
all otherwise  applicable remedies in law and at equity and, without limiting
the generality of the foregoing,  shall be entitled to: (i) on demand, compel
divestiture,  to any Person  selected by Thiokol or by public sale, of any or
all  securities  acquired in  violation of this  Standstill  Agreement at the
current market price,  (ii) enjoin the voting of all such  securities  and/or
(iii) in recognition of the fact that damages or other remedies at law may be
inadequate,  have the right to  injunction,  specific  performance  and other
equitable remedies.


                            V. GENERAL PROVISIONS
                               ------------------

     1.  Notices.  Any notice or other  communication  required or  permitted
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally, telegraphed,
or sent by facsimile transmission or sent by certified, registered or express
mail,  postage  prepaid.  Any such  notice  shall  be  deemed  given  when so
delivered personally,  telegraphed,  or sent by facsimile transmission or, if
mailed,  three (3)  business  days  after the date of  deposit  in the United
States mail,  by certified  mail return  receipt  requested  (if also sent by
facsimile  transmission,  if  available at the office of the  recipient),  as
follows:

                               If to Carlyle, to:

                               Carlyle-Blade Acquisition Partners, L.P.
                               1001 Pennsylvania Avenue
                               Suite 220 South
                               Washington, D.C. 20004-2505
                               Attention:    William E. Conway, Jr.
                               Telecopier:   (202) 347-1818

                               with a copy to:

                               Latham & Watkins
                               1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
                               Suite 1300
                               Washington, D.C. 20004
                               Attention: Bruce E. Rosenblum
                               Telecopier: (202) 637-2201


                                      3



<PAGE>




                               If to Holding, to:

                               Thiokol Holding Company
                               2475 Washington Boulevard
                               Ogden, UT  84401-2398
                               Attention:  R. Robert Harris,
                                           Corporate Vice President
                                           and General Counsel
                               Telecopier: (801) 629-2420

                               with a copy to:

                               Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
                               333 South Grand Avenue
                               Los Angeles, CA 90071
                               Attention:  Steven A. Meiers
                               Telecopier: (213) 229-7520

                               If to Thiokol, to:

                               Thiokol Corporation
                               2475 Washington Boulevard
                               Ogden, UT  84401-2398
                               Attention:  R. Robert Harris,
                                           Corporate Vice President
                                           and General Counsel
                               Telecopier: (801) 629-2420

                               with a copy to:

                               Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
                               333 South Grand Avenue
                               Los Angeles, CA 90071
                               Attention:  Steven A. Meiers
                               Telecopier: (213) 229-7520

     Any party,  by notice given in accordance with this section to the other
parties,  may designate  another  address or person for receipt of notices or
copies of notices hereunder.

     2. Entire  Agreement.  This  Standstill  Agreement  contains  the entire
agreement  among the  parties  hereto  with  respect to the  matters  covered
hereby.


                                      4



<PAGE>



     3. Waivers and  Amendments;  Non-Contractual  Remedies;  Preservation of
Remedies.  This Standstill Agreement may be amended,  superseded,  cancelled,
renewed or extended,  and the terms  hereof may be waived,  only by a written
instrument  signed by the parties  or, in the case of a waiver,  by the party
waiving  compliance.  No  delay on the part of any  party or  Shareholder  in
exercising any right, power or privilege  hereunder shall operate as a waiver
thereof  except as expressly  provided  herein.  No waiver on the part of any
party of any right, power or privilege, nor any single or partial exercise of
any such right,  power or  privilege,  shall  preclude  any further  exercise
thereof or the  exercise of any other such  right,  power or  privilege.  The
rights and remedies  herein  provided are cumulative and are not exclusive of
any rights or remedies that any party may otherwise have at law or in equity.

     4. Governing  Law. This  Standstill  Agreement  shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the substantive and procedural laws of the State
of Delaware applicable to agreements made and to be performed entirely within
that State (without  giving effect to any conflict of laws  principles  which
might require application of the law of a different jurisdiction).

     5.  Jurisdiction.  The parties hereby consent to the jurisdiction of the
federal courts located within the District of Columbia for all purposes.

     6.  Counterparts.  This  Standstill  Agreement  may be  executed  by the
parties  in  separate  counterparts,  each  of  which  when so  executed  and
delivered  shall be an original,  but all such  counterparts  shall  together
constitute one and the same  instrument.  Each  counterpart  may consist of a
number of copies hereof each signed by less than all, but together  signed by
all of the parties.

     7. Headings. The headings in this Standstill Agreement are for reference
only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Standstill Agreement.

     8.  Publicity.  All  notices to third  parties  and all other  publicity
concerning the transactions  contemplated by this Standstill  Agreement shall
be jointly  planned and  coordinated  by the parties,  unless such notices or
other publicity are mandated by law.



                                      5



<PAGE>



     9.  Severability.  If any portion of this Standstill  Agreement shall be
deemed  unenforceable  by a court of competent  jurisdiction,  the  remaining
portions shall be valid and enforceable.

     10. Attorneys Fees. If any legal action, arbitration or other proceeding
is brought for the enforcement of this Standstill Agreement, or because of an
alleged dispute,  breach, default or misrepresentation in connection with any
of the provisions of this Standstill Agreement,  the successful or prevailing
party shall be entitled to recover reasonable  attorneys fees and other costs
incurred in that  action or  proceeding,  in addition to any other  relief to
which it may be entitled.

     11.  Inconsistencies.  Any  inconsistencies  between the Stock  Purchase
Agreement and other Related  Documents and this Standstill  Agreement will be
resolved in favor of this Standstill Agreement.

     12.  Termination.  This Standstill  Agreement  shall terminate  whenever
either the Carlyle Entities or Holding beneficially owns less than 15% of the
issued and outstanding Common Stock of Blade.




                                      6



<PAGE>



     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be
duly executed on the date first above written.


                                      "Carlyle-Blade"

                                      CARLYLE-BLADE ACQUISITION PARTNERS,
                                      L.P.

                                      By:      Carlyle Partners II, L.P.
                                      Its:     General Partner

                                      By:      TC Group, L.L.C.
                                      Its:     General Partner

                                      By:      TCG Holdings, L.L.C.
                                      Its:     Managing Member

                                      By:________________________________
                                      Its:_______________________________


                                      "Carlyle Entities"

                                      CARLYLE PARTNERS II, L.P.

                                      By:      TC Group, L.L.C.
                                      Its:     General Partner

                                      By:      TCG Holdings, L.L.C.
                                      Its:     Managing Member


                                      By:________________________________
                                      Its:_______________________________








                                      7



<PAGE>


                                       CARLYLE PARTNERS III, L.P.

                                       By:      TC Group, L.L.C.
                                       Its:     General Partner

                                       By:      TCG Holdings, L.L.C.
                                       Its:     Managing Member


                                       By:_______________________________
                                       Its:______________________________


                                       TC GROUP, L.L.C.

                                       By:      TCG Holdings, L.L.C.
                                       Its:     Managing Member


                                       By:______________________________
                                       Its:_____________________________


                                       TCG HOLDINGS, L.L.C.


                                       By:______________________________
                                       Its:_____________________________


                                       "Holding"

                                       THIOKOL HOLDING COMPANY


                                       By:______________________________
                                       Its:_____________________________


                                       "Thiokol"

                                       "THIOKOL CORPORATION


                                        By:_____________________________
                                        Its:____________________________
<PAGE>

                        COLLATERAL CUSTODIAL AGREEMENT
                        ------------------------------


     This  Collateral   Custodial   Agreement  (the   "Collateral   Custodial
Agreement")  is  made  on  December  13,  1995  by  and  among  Carlyle-Blade
Acquisition  Partners,  L.P.,  a Delaware  limited  partnership  ("Carlyle"),
Thiokol Holding Company, a Delaware  corporation  ("Holding"),  and The First
National Bank of Chicago,  as  collateral  agent (the  "Collateral  Custodial
Agent").


                                   Recitals
                                   --------


     A. WHEREAS,  pursuant to a  Shareholders  Agreement  (the  "Shareholders
Agreement")  by and among  Holding,  Carlyle and Blade  Acquisition  Corp., a
Delaware  corporation  (the "Company"),  and a Stock Purchase  Agreement (the
"Stock Purchase  Agreement,"  together with the Shareholders  Agreement,  the
"Agreements")  by and among  Holding,  Carlyle  and the  Company,  Carlyle is
acquiring  5,100  shares of the Common  Stock of the  Company  (the  "Carlyle
Shares"),  the only authorized  class of securities  entitled to vote for the
Board of Directors or any other matter, and Holding is acquiring 4,900 shares
of the Common Stock and 5,000 shares of the non-voting Preferred Stock of the
Company and will in the future acquire  additional  shares of Preferred Stock
as dividends on such initially  issued Preferred Stock or dividends on shares
so issued as dividends  (all such shares of Common Stock and Preferred  Stock
acquired  by  Holding  are  referred  to below as the  "Holding  Shares"  and
together with the Carlyle Shares are referred to below as the "Shares").

     B. WHEREAS, pursuant to the Shareholders Agreement,  Carlyle has granted
to  Holding a  security  interest  in the  Carlyle  Shares,  to secure all of
Carlyle's  obligations  to Holding under the  Shareholders  Agreement and the
Related  Agreements  (as defined in the  Shareholders  Agreement),  including
without limitation Carlyle's obligations under the Call Option.

     C. WHEREAS, pursuant to the Shareholders Agreement,  Holding has granted
to  Carlyle a  security  interest  in the  Holding  Shares,  to secure all of
Holding  obligations  to Carlyle  under the  Shareholders  Agreement  and the
Related Agreements.

     D.  WHEREAS,  Carlyle  and  Holding  have  agreed  to  enter  into  this
Collateral Custodial Agreement and to deliver the certificates for the Shares
to the  Collateral  Agent to,  among  other  things,  perfect  such  security
interests.






<PAGE>



                                  Agreement
                                  ---------


     1. Appointment of Collateral  Agent.  Carlyle and Holding hereby appoint
the Collateral  Agent as collateral  agent.  The  Collateral  Agent agrees to
accept and hereby accepts such appointment.

     2.  Collateral  Agent  Acknowledges  Receipt  of  Shares.   Carlyle  has
delivered to the  Collateral  Agent the Carlyle Shares and a stock power with
respect  thereto  executed by Carlyle in blank,  and Holding has delivered to
the Collateral Agent the Holding Shares and stock powers with respect thereto
executed by Holding in blank.  The Collateral Agent  acknowledges  receipt of
the Carlyle Shares and the Holding Shares and such stock powers.

     3. Collateral Agent Acknowledges Receipt of Shareholders Agreement.  The
Collateral Agent acknowledges receipt of the Shareholders Agreement, of which
Article 5 deals with the security interests. The Collateral Agent need not be
concerned with provisions of the Shareholders  Agreement other than Article 5
thereof.

     4.  Collateral  Agent's  Agreement  to Hold the  Shares.  To perfect the
security  interest granted by Carlyle in the Carlyle Shares to Holding and to
perfect the  security  interest  granted by Holding in the Holding  Shares to
Carlyle,  the Collateral Agent agrees to hold the Carlyle Shares as agent for
Carlyle and the Holding  Shares as agent for Holding to perfect such security
interests  and for the  parties as their  interests  may appear  from time to
time.

     5. No Release of Shares.  The  Collateral  Agent will not release any of
the Carlyle Shares or Holding Shares without the joint  instructions  of both
Carlyle  and  Holding.  Carlyle and Holding  agree among  themselves  to give
notification  to the Collateral  Agent,  when  Securities are  transferred in
compliance with the Shareholders Agreement.

     6.  Dividends,  Distributions  and Changes.  Any shares  issued on or in
exchange for any Shares held in the Collateral  Custodial Account as a result
of  any  stock  dividend,   stock  split-up  or   consolidation   of  shares,
reclassification,  or merger or consolidation  involving the Company shall be
held by the Collateral Agent hereunder on the same terms as the Shares.

     7. Voting Rights and  Conversion  Rights.  While held in the  Collateral
Custodial  Account,  the  Carlyle  Shares  shall be voted by Carlyle  and the
Holding Shares that are Common Stock shall be voted by Holding.

     8. Notices.  All notices and other  communications to the parties hereto
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been  delivered when given in
person, by facsimile transmission or courier delivery service or by mail, and
shall become effective (a) on delivery if given in person, (b) on the date of
delivery if sent by facsimile or by local courier  delivery  service,  or (c)
four business days after being  deposited in the mails,  with proper  postage
for  first-class  registered  or  certified  mail,  prepaid,  if also sent by
facsimile transmission when so mailed.



                                      2



<PAGE>




Notices shall be addressed as follows:

                           (a)      If to Carlyle, to:

                                    Carlyle-Blade Acquisition Partners, L.P.
                                    1001 Pennsylvania Avenue
                                    Suite 220 South
                                    Washington, D.C. 20004-2505
                                    Attention:  William E. Conway, Jr.
                                    Telecopier: (202) 347-1818

                                    with a copy to:

                                    Latham & Watkins
                                    1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
                                    Suite 1300
                                    Washington, D.C.  20004
                                    Attention: Bruce E. Rosenblum
                                    Telecopier: (202) 637-2201

                           (b)      If to Collateral Agent, to:

                                    if by U.S. Mail Delivery, to:

                                    The First National Bank of Chicago
                                    One First National Plaza, Suite 0673
                                    Chicago, Illinois 60670-0673
                                    Attention:  Corporate Trust Administration

                                    if by courier, to:

                                    The First National Bank of Chicago
                                    One North State Street, 9th Floor
                                    Chicago, Illinois 60602
                                    Attention: Corporate Trust Administration

                                    if by facsimile transmission, to:

                                    The First National Bank of Chicago
                                    Chicago, Illinois
                                    Attention:  Corporate Trust Administration
                                    Telecopier: (312) 407-2088





                                      3



<PAGE>



                           (c)      If to Holding, to:

                                    Thiokol Holding Company
                                    2475 Washington Boulevard
                                    Ogden, UT  84401-2398
                                    Attention:   R. Robert Harris,
                                                 Corporate Vice President
                                                 and General Counsel
                                    Telecopier: (801) 629-2420

                                    with a copy to:

                                    Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher
                                    333 South Grand Avenue
                                    Los Angeles, CA 90071
                                    Attention:  Steven Meiers
                                    Telecopier: (213) 229-7520

     Any  party,  by notice  given to the  parties  in  accordance  with this
Section 8, may designate  another address or person for receipt of notices or
copies thereof hereunder.

     9.  Indemnification.  Carlyle and Holding  agree to hold the  Collateral
Agent  harmless  and  indemnify  the  Collateral   Agent  against  any  loss,
liability,  expenses (including attorneys fees and expenses), claim or demand
arising out of or in connection  with the  performance of its  obligations in
accordance with the provisions of this Collateral Custodial Agreement, except
for gross  negligence or willful  misconduct  of the  Collateral  Agent.  The
foregoing  indemnities in this paragraph shall survive the resignation of the
Collateral Agent or the termination of this Collateral Custodial Agreement.

     10. Collateral  Agent's Duties.  The Collateral  Agent's duties are only
such as are  specifically  provided  herein,  and the Collateral  Agent shall
incur no  liability  whatsoever  to  Carlyle  or  Holding  except  for  gross
negligence  or  willful  misconduct.  The  Collateral  Agent  shall  have  no
responsibilities  hereunder other than to follow  faithfully the instructions
herein contained.  The Collateral Agent may consult with counsel and shall be
fully  protected  in any action taken in good faith in  accordance  with such
advice. The Collateral Agent shall be fully protected in acting in accordance
with any written  instructions  given to it  hereunder  and believed by it to
have  instructions  given to it  hereunder  and  believed  by it to have been
executed by the proper  person or persons who are listed on Exhibit 1 hereto.
The  Collateral  Agent  shall not be liable for  interest  on the  Collateral
Custodial Account except as specifically  agreed upon by the Collateral Agent
and the respective parties hereto.

     11.  Custodial  Fees.  Carlyle and Holding  agree to pay the  Collateral
Agent a fee  according to the fee letter  attached  hereto as Exhibit 2. Fees
are  payable in  advance  as  compensation  for the  ordinary  administrative
services to be rendered  hereunder  and Carlyle and Holding each agree to pay
one-half of all expenses of the  Collateral  Agent,  including its attorney's
fees and expenses,  which it may incur in connection  with the performance of
its duties

                                      4



<PAGE>



under this Collateral Custodial Agreement, or under the indemnity provided in
Section 12 hereof.

     12.  Payment and Ownership  Disputes.  It is understood  and agreed that
should any dispute  arise with  respect to the payment  and/or  ownership  or
rights of possession of the Shares,  the  Collateral  Agent is authorized and
directed to retain in its possession, without liability to anyone, all or any
part of the  Shares  until such  dispute  has been  settled  either by mutual
agreement by the parties or by the final order, decree or judgment of a court
or other tribunal of competent  jurisdiction  in the United States of America
and time for appeal has  expired  and no appeal has been  perfected,  but the
Collateral Agent shall be under no duty whatsoever to institute or defend any
such proceedings.

     13.  Resignation of Collateral Agent. The Collateral Agent may resign at
any time by giving written notice  thereof to the other parties  hereto,  but
such  resignation  shall not become  effective until a successor escrow agent
agreed to by Carlyle and  Holding  shall have been  appointed  and shall have
accepted  such  appointment  in writing.  If an instrument of acceptance by a
successor  escrow agent shall not have been delivered to the Collateral Agent
within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation,  the resigning
Collateral Agent may at the expense of Holding and Carlyle petition any court
of competent  jurisdiction  for the appointment of a successor  escrow agent.
Possession  of the Shares shall be delivered to the  successor  escrow agent,
who must agree to hold them as the  Collateral  Agent has agreed in Section 4
of this Collateral Custodial Agreement.

     14.  Applicable  Law.  This  Collateral  Custodial  Agreement  shall  be
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois.

     15.  Termination.  This Collateral  Custodial  Agreement shall terminate
upon delivery of written instructions to the Collateral Agent by both Carlyle
and Holding providing that this Collateral Custodial Agreement be terminated.

     16. Counterparts. This Collateral Custodial Agreement may be executed in
several  counterparts,  each of which shall  constitute  an original  and all
collectively shall constitute but one instrument.




                                      5



<PAGE>



     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have executed this  Collateral
Custodial Agreement as of the day and year first written above.

                                       "Carlyle"

                                       CARLYLE-BLADE ACQUISITION PARTNERS,
                                       L.P., a Delaware limited partnership

                                       By:      Carlyle Partners II, L.P.
                                       Its:     General Partner

                                       By:      TC Group, L.L.C.
                                       Its:     General Partner

                                       By:      TCG Holdings, L.L.C.
                                       Its:     Managing Member


                                       By:__________________________________
                                       Its:_________________________________



                                       "Collateral Agent"

                                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,


                                       By:__________________________________
                                       Its:_________________________________


                                       "Holding"

                                       THIOKOL HOLDING COMPANY,
                                       a Delaware corporation


                                       By:__________________________________
                                       Its:_________________________________




                                      6



<PAGE>



                                  EXHIBIT 1
                                  ---------


Persons Authorized to Give Instructions to Collateral Custodial Agent

    On behalf of Carlyle:    Carlyle Partners II, L.P.
                             TC Group, L.L.C.
                             TCG Holding, L.L.C.

    On behalf of Holding:    The President or any Vice President
                             of Holding, or the President or any Vice President
                             of Thiokol Corporation, a Delaware corporation

































                                      7

<PAGE>


                                  EXHIBIT 2
                                  ---------


                                                             December 5, 1995

                                FIRST CHICAGO
                                 FEE PROPOSAL
                     COLLATERAL CUSTODIAL AGENCY SERVICES
                  CARLYLE-BLADE ACQUISITION PARTNERS, L.P./
                           THIOKOL HOLDING COMPANY

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------


I.       Account Acceptance
         ------------------

         A fee for  services in  connection  with the initial  set-up of this
         collateral custodial account will be charged as follows:

              Account Acceptance                    $1,000
              Legal Fee                             Included

         This fee covers examination and execution of a collateral  custodial
         agreement and all required documentation.

II.      Annual Administration
         ---------------------

         A fee  for  ordinary  administration  of this  collateral  custodial
         account will be charged annually in advance at $1,000.

III.     Operating Services
         ------------------

         A.   Deposit or withdrawal of other securities held           $35.00
              in the collateral custodial account, each

         B.   Amendments to the collateral custodial
              agreement and/or substitution of collateral, each        250.00



                                      8

<PAGE>



IV.      Miscellaneous
         -------------

         Fees for services not specifically  covered in this schedule will be
         assessed in amounts  commensurate  with the services  rendered.  The
         fees in this  schedule  are  subject to  reasonable  adjustments  as
         changes in laws, procedures,  or costs of doing business demand. The
         costs of  supplies  and  other  out-of-pocket  expenses  that can be
         directly allocated will be added to our regular charges.





































                                      9




<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THIOKOL
CORPORATION FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE AS EXHIBIT 13 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                          10,639
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  177,413
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,071
<INVENTORY>                                    113,391
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               311,908
<PP&E>                                         605,077
<DEPRECIATION>                                 313,939
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 829,725
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          227,293
<BONDS>                                          2,393
<COMMON>                                        20,538
                                0
                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     409,690
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   829,725
<SALES>                                        432,840
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               464,911
<CGS>                                          356,200
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  367,599
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                35,153
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   223
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,515
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 58,198
<INCOME-TAX>                                    22,719
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             35,479
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    35,479
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.91
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.91
        

</TABLE>


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