Members of CT’s congressional delegation say they’ll keep pressing the Army for answers on why it chose Textron Inc.’s Bell instead of Sikorsky.
Black Hawks
Posted inEconomic Development
Questions remain over Sikorsky bid for Army helicopter contract
Members of CT’s congressional delegation say they have received vague answers about why the proposal from Bell was selected over Sikorsky’s.
Posted inNews, Politics
Pentagon says boost in EB subs, Sikorsky helicopters needed to maintain readiness
The Pentagon has also asked for $72.3 million for a major upgrade at the Naval Submarine Base in New London.
Posted inNews, Politics
Saudi role in journalist’s alleged murder threatens CT defense contracts
WASHINGTON – Sikorsky and other U.S. defense contractors are in a tough spot because of the alleged murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who disappeared in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul 17 days ago.
Posted inPolitics
Senate approves massive defense bill, but trims number of F-35s
WASHINGTON – The Senate late Monday approved a $716 billion defense authorization bill that trims the number of F-35’s the Pentagon can purchase this year, but allows for more spending on Electric Boat submarine programs and Sikorsky-made helicopters. “Five percent of our country’s defense spending is done in Connecticut,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal said.
Posted inNews
New defense bill increases sub production, other CT defense work
WASHINGTON — A new defense bill, a summary of which was released Friday, would authorize increased production of Virginia-class submarines built by Electric Boat and boost other Connecticut-made defense programs by even more than President Donald Trump requested.
Posted inMoney, News, Politics
CT lawmakers help pass massive spending bill
Updated at 12:55 a.m. Friday
WASHINGTON — Connecticut’s entire congressional delegation voted for a massive, $1.3 trillion federal budget bill that will provide the state with millions of additional dollars for education, health care and transportation and boost production in the state’s defense industry.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Trump budget: CT health, education, research hit — defense a mixed bag
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump’s budget would require Connecticut to drop residents from key social and health programs in the state, and make tough decisions on how to handle other proposed federal cuts to education, housing and the environment. Connecticut’s congressional delegation vowed to fight it.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Federal budget deal boosts defense projects, other programs in CT
WASHINGTON — Connecticut’s defense industry is a big winner in a new budget deal that will keep the federal government running through September. It allows the Pentagon to increase the number of F-35 fighters and nearly double the number of Sikorsky Black Hawks it purchases this year. The bipartisan bill also funds a number of domestic programs important to the state, including the National Coast Guard Museum.
Posted inPolitics
Push is on for more F-35s, Sikorsky helicopters and work for EB
Defense hawks are hoping the Trump administration will agree to a supplemental defense bill, and an increase in defense spending in the next annual budget. President Donald Trump has vowed to rebuild the military — and “to load it up” with “beautiful new equipment.”
Posted inPolitics
CT lawmakers torn between funds for subs and waiver for Mattis
WASHINGTON – A stopgap measure to fund the federal government would allow work to continue on a new Connecticut-built ballistic missile submarine while also expediting the controversial nomination of retired Gen. James N. Mattis as the next secretary of defense, posing a tough choice for Connecticut’s lawmakers.
Posted inPolitics
Defense hawks hope Trump keeps vow to boost military spending
WASHINGTON — The House has approved a $619 billion defense bill and the Senate is expected to follow this week, but there’s a push to add F-35s, Black Hawk helicopters and other military hardware to the Pentagon’s shopping list early next year, right after President-elect Donald Trump assumes office.
Posted inPolitics
Congress reduces numbers of F-35s, Black Hawks
WASHINGTON — Congressional negotiators sharply cut funding for Connecticut-made Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopters and trimmed the number of F-35s the Pentagon would buy next year.
Posted inPolitics
Senate defense bill holds the line on F-35s, Black Hawks
WASHINGTON — A Senate defense panel has been far less generous to Connecticut defense programs than it’s counterpart in the House, which had boosted the number of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter planes and doubled the number of Black Hawk helicopters the Pentagon had asked for.
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.