While the Pentagon says it’s not a competitor to the F-35, the rebirth of the F-15 could cost jobs in Connecticut.
Air Force
Posted inPolitics
DoD, Lockheed Martin agreement cuts price of F-35
WASHINGTON — Under pressure from President Donald Trump to cut the cost of the F-35 program, the Pentagon and Lockheed Martin announced Friday they had reached agreement to lower the cost on the 10th lot of fighter jets by $728 million.
Posted inNews
Air Force still doesn’t know what caused F-35 fire
WASHINGTON — The Air Force’s is continuing to investigate the cause of September’s fire in the rear area of an F-35 on a training mission in Idaho. It hasn’t ruled out problems with the jet fighter’s Pratt & Whitney engine.
Posted inNews
Air Force investigation of F-35 fire includes engine
WASHINGTON – The Air Force is investigating a fire that grounded an F-35 during a training mission in Idaho and hasn’t ruled out problems with a Pratt & Whitney-made engine like one that grounded the entire fleet two years ago.
Posted inNews
GAO: F-35 engine ‘not performing at expected levels’
WASHINGTON — Federal investigators said Wednesday that Pratt & Whitney’s engine for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter still is “not performing at expected levels” and is one of many glitches still plaguing the nation’s next generation of fighters. A Pratt & Whitney spokesman emphasized big improvements in the reliability of the engine.
Posted inPolitics
State Rep. Carter ‘seriously considering’ Blumenthal challenge
WASHINGTON — State Representative Dan Carter, a Republican from Bethel, is weighing a run against Sen. Richard Blumenthal. “I am seriously considering it,” Carter said. “So much so that I withdrew all my filings to run for re-election in the state assembly.”
Posted inNews
CT lawmakers trying to blunt deep cuts for Sikorsky helicopters
WASHINGTON — Connecticut lawmakers and their allies in Congress are waging a war against the Pentagon’s plan to dramatically cut the number of Sikorsky-made Black Hawk helicopters it will buy next year. The lawmakers may very well win.
Posted inPolitics
Air Force says Pratt & Whitney will build B-21 engine
WASHINGTON — Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford will build the engine for the Pentagon’s new super-secret, long-range bomber, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said on Monday.
Posted inPolitics
Murphy says Pentagon not ‘buying American’
WASHINGTON — Sen. Chris Murphy is at war with the Pentagon over what he says is the military’s failure to comply with “Buy American” laws that require the purchase of U.S. made goods – with certain exceptions.
Posted inPolitics
Pentagon, McCain weigh cuts to number of F-35’s
WASHINGTON — The high price tag of the F-35, a Lockheed Martin aircraft whose engine is made by Pratt & Whitney, has made some Pentagon officials and the chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee consider whether the Defense Department can afford as many of the Joint Strike Fighters as they had once planned.
Posted inNews
House panel advances defense bill with billions for Connecticut weapons
WASHINGTON – With the backing of Rep. Joe Courtney, the House Armed Services Committee this week authorized billions of dollars for weapons systems built in Connecticut, including $1.4 billion for a new fund to pay for a new class of nuclear submarines likely to be built by General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton.
Posted inNews
Pentagon awards combat rescue helicopter contract to Sikorsky
Washington – In an expected move, the Pentagon on Thursday awarded Sikorsky a contract to build the new Air Force search and rescue helicopters.
Posted inMoney, Politics
CT defense contractors largely spared from Pentagon cuts
Washington – Sikorsky’s plans to build new helicopters for the Air Force were kept alive as President Obama’s unveiled his new budget Tuesday. Pratt & Whitney was nicked and Electric Boat remains unscathed.