SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 17, 2002 ------------------------------ Aero Systems Engineering, Inc. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Minnesota 0-7390 41-0913117 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (State or other jurisdiction (Commission (I.R.S. Employer of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.) 358 E. Fillmore Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota 55107 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (651) 227-7515 --------------------------- Not applicable. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.) AERO SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, INC. INDEX TO CURRENT REPORT ON FORM 8-K Item Number Page ----------- ---- Item 5. Other Events. 3 Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits. 3 Signatures. 3 Exhibits Index. 4 (The remainder of this page was intentionally left blank.) 2 ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS. On October 17, 2002, Aero Systems Engineering, Inc. issued a press release regarding an agreement in which Goldsmith Agio Helms will be retained to assist the Company in exploring strategic alternatives. A copy of the press release is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS. (a) Not required. (b) Not required. (c) The following exhibit is being filed as part of this Current Report on Form 8-K: 99.1 Press release dated October 17, 2002 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 hereunto duly authorized. Dated: October 17, 2002 Aero Systems Engineering, Inc. By: /s/ Steven R. Hedberg ---------------------------------- Steven R. Hedberg Chief Financial Officer 3 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit Number Description -------------- ---------------------- 99.1 Press Release Dated October 17, 2002 4