WASHINGTON — The Senate on Tuesday rejected an effort by Sen. Chris Murphy to block a portion of a $110 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia. Murphy, however, says concern in the U.S. Senate is growing over the Saudi bombing campaign in Yemen.
helicopters
Blumenthal, Murphy split over boost in defense spending
WASHINGTON — Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy split this week on whether to boost military spending by $18 billion – allowing the Pentagon to increase its purchase of Connecticut-made weaponry – without raising the amount of money spent on domestic programs as well.
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.
Obama budget would cut Black Hawks, F-35s, boost Pell grants, Head Start
WASHINGTON — President Obama’s 2017 proposed budget, released Tuesday, would sharply cut funding for Connecticut -made Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopters and trim the number of F-35s the Pentagon would buy, while boosting spending on certain domestic priorities.
Once a Sikorsky-flying Marine, he now pilots the company
WASHINGTON – Dan Schultz doesn’t like to talk about it, but he flew a harrowing rescue mission to Mogadishu, Somalia, in 1991 in a Sikorsky Super Stallion chopper. Now at the company’s helm, he says he plans no big, immediate changes at Sikorsky.
With China’s OK, Lockheed Martin to close on Sikorsky purchase
WASHINGTON – Lockheed Martin said on Tuesday that it has received a final regulatory approval from China, allowing it to close on its $9 billion acquisition of Sikorsky Aircraft from United Technologies. Lockheed Martin said it anticipated closing on Friday.
Lawmakers say Sikorsky may leave UTC, but probably not CT
WASHINGTON – United Technologies Corp.’s decision to shed Sikorsky Aircraft sent tremors through the Connecticut congressional delegation, but there’s new optimism that whatever changes the company faces, it will stay in Connecticut.
DeLauro reproves UTC chief over possible Sikorsky selloff
WASHINGTON – Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a Democrat who represents a congressional district that is home to Sikorsky Aircraft, blasted United Technology Corp. CEO Greg Hayes on Thursday, saying he is going back on his word to keep the helicopter maker in Stratford.
In outgoing Congress, DeLauro burnished liberal credentials
WASHINGTON – Rep. Rosa DeLauro’s liberal activism may not have helped her win GOP support of her legislative effort in the outgoing Congress, but it helped galvanize the left wing of her party. (This is the third in a series of stories about the roles each member of the Connecticut congressional delegation played in the 113th Congress.)
Senate to begin debate on bill that would turn Coltsville into national park
WASHINGTON – A massive defense bill that would authorize billions of dollars in spending on Connecticut defense projects — and turn the Hartford’s Coltsville neighborhood into a national park — may face its first test in the Senate today.
Navy, Army go forward with purchase of 102 Sikorsky helicopters
The Navy, citing budget problems, had wanted to end a multi-year joint contract with the Army to buy 102 helicopters from Sikorsky, but the Navy has reversed itself and will go ahead.
Sikorsky signs contract for presidential ‘copters
Washington – It was expected but now it’s official. Sikorsky signed a contract with the Marines Wednesday to build the next Marine One, a huge transport helicopter used by the White House.
CT lawmakers take fight over Russian ‘copters to Kerry
Having had a poor response from the Pentagon, Connecticut lawmakers and others who are trying to protect local defense interests have taken their fight to end Russian military contracts to Secretary of State John Kerry.
Citing Ukraine conflict, DeLauro say Pentagon should halt purchases of Russian copters
Rep. Rosa DeLauro cited the conflict in Ukraine in her latest argument about the Pentagon’s purchase of Russian-made helicopters to equip Afghan security forces.
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.