MINNEAPOLIS — A big defense contractor is moving its headquarters from Eden Prairie to the Washington, D.C.-area.

Alliant Techsystems Inc., also known as ATK, is the Army’s largest supplier of small-caliber bullets and makes high-precision missiles, micro-satellites, flares, aerospace components and other high-tech items for the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Ampany’s top executives will move to Arlington, Va., but Alliant’s other 2,700 Minnesota employees are not expected to move.

In a statement, Chief Executive Officer Mark DeYoung said expanding visibility in Washington will help them create a more global, diversified company.

RBC Capital Markets analyst Rama Bondada says the move is largely strategic, to be closer to the U.S. Department of Defense.