WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. John Larson is spearheading a push to substantially boost defense budget spending on additional F-35 fighter jets, but success is not assured.
Electric Boat
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Clinton out-raises Trump in CT defense-industry campaign cash
WASHINGTON — Following a national trend, Connecticut’s defense workers and their bosses overwhelmingly gave to the campaign of Hillary Clinton while slighting that of Donald Trump. According to a Connecticut Mirror analysis, as of the end of August, the Clinton campaign raised more than $56,000 from individuals who work for the state’s defense industry, while the Trump campaign raised only $3,094.
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CT defense industry hurt by Congress’ inaction on spending bill
WASHINGTON – Connecticut lawmakers are facing a major obstacle in their attempts to boost the number of helicopters, airplane engines and submarines made by the state’s defense contractors: greater than-ever congressional gridlock over the defense budget.
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Electric Boat plans major hiring, expansion to tackle sub ramp up
WASHINGTON — The man in charge of developing and acquiring the Navy’s weapons systems said it’s going to be “a tough ramp up” to get Electric Boat’s shipyards and another at Newport News, Va., ready to meet the nation’s need for submarines. The decline in the U.S. manufacturing base and the retirement of skilled tradesmen pose key challenges.
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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.
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Navy names EB prime contractor on new class of ballistic-missile subs
WASHINGTON — The Navy on Monday released a new submarine construction plan that makes Electric Boat the prime contractor on the costly Ohio-class replacement sub and shifts some work on Virginia-class subs to Newport News Shipbuilding. The total price tag of the Ohio-class replacement boats has been projected at $102 to $107 billion.
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Murphy takes dive under Arctic ice to better advocate for CT subs
WASHINGTON — Sen. Chris Murphy says one reason he spent the weekend under Arctic ice aboard the USS Hartford is to become a better advocate for the state’s shipbuilding industry and the Naval Submarine Base, New London.
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Betting on Pentagon, Electric Boat to boost hiring this year
Confident of the Navy’s commitment to its submarine fleets and to a new class of nuclear subs, Electric Boat on Monday said it will add about 840 positions to its Connecticut workforce this year.
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Final defense bill OKs 63 F-35s, other major CT weapons
WASHNGTON — The Senate on Tuesday sent on to President Obama a final defense authorization bill that paves the way for an increase in defense spending in Connecticut and the nation.
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CT defense industry hopes to boost sales at Groton aerospace summit
It may not be as big as the Paris Air Show, but some the same companies that attend that event, including Airbus and Northrup Grumman, will gather in Groton on Monday to pursue the same goals they seek every year in France — more sales and the information needed to make good business decisions.
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Federal budget deal helps CT defense industry, state budget
Washington – One of Rep. John Boehner’s final acts as Speaker of the House this week was to negotiate a budget deal with the White House that will help Connecticut’s defense industry by boosting Pentagon spending and save the state government about $65 million in health care expenses for low-income residents and state retirees.
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Navy moving on new nuclear sub EB hopes to build
WASHINGTON — The defense budget is in flux, but the Navy is moving forward on plans for a new nuclear sub Electric Boat hopes to build in partnership with Newport News Shipbuilding.
Posted inMoney, Politics
CT defense industry big loser in federal budget stalemate
WASHINGTON – With only days to act remaining, Congress is once again on the brink of a fiscal crisis that will have a special impact on Connecticut’s $13 billion defense industry.
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Courtney wins on sub fund in huge defense bill
WASHINGTON – Rep. Joe Courtney beat back a challenge to a special fund that would pay for a new class of nuclear submarines as the House finished work on a massive defense spending bill with billions of dollars for Connecticut defense contractors.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Navy will consider accelerating Virginia-class sub enhancement
WASHINGTON – Navy officials said they will consider moving up the date for the start of a new Virginia class sub program that would allow the boats to carry more firepower.