WASHINGTON — The Navy on Tuesday moved a critical step toward awarding Sikorsky a contract on the first two huge King Stallion helicopters to be built in Connecticut. But the complete rollout of the program, which is expected to cost at least $25 billion, will be slow.
Navy
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‘Spy ship’ off Groton fuels Democratic calls for probe of Trump Moscow ties
WASHINGTON — As news of the Russian “spy ship” loitering 30 miles from Groton made the rounds of the U.S. Capitol Wednesday, Democrats wove the incident into their demands for investigations of President Trump’s relationship with Russia.
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Electric Boat: Boost in sub building means boost in CT jobs
WASHINGTON — Increased federal spending on submarine building this year will lead to the hiring of 1,350 employees in Connecticut by Electric Boat in 2017, for a net gain of 800 jobs, the company said Monday.
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Navy boosts projections for Virginia-class submarines
WASHINGTON — The Navy on Friday sharply increased its projections for how many Virginia-class attack submarines it needs from 48 to 66 – opening the door to boosting production to three subs a year. “It’s the first time the Navy has taken a new look at submarines since 2004, and it’s long overdue,” said Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District.
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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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Q&A: Outgoing Navy chief talks submarines, F-35s and his legacy
In a recent wide-ranging interview over lunch, The Connecticut Mirror pressed outgoing Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, the longest serving naval chief in 100 years, about the future of submarine warfare, delays in the F-35 joint strike fighter program and why the Pentagon wants another round of base closings.
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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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Bright future for sub industry, if Navy can find the money
WASHINGTON — Forced to retire aging submarines and facing an increased need for sub to fend off potential threats from China and Russia, the Navy has an ambitious, $100 billion plan that will boost work at Electric Boat. But, despite its strategic vision and detailed timeline for the new fleet of boats, the Navy doesn’t know yet how it will pay for the ambitious program.
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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.
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Pentagon chiefs ask Congress for another round of base closings
WASHINGTON – Citing a need to reduce waste and improve efficiency, Pentagon officials said Thursday they want to a round of military base closings like one that threatened Naval Submarine Base New London in 2005.
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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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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.
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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.
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Analysts: Lockheed Martin purchase fortunate break for Sikorsky, Connecticut
WASHINGTON — Some may lose jobs and a few Connecticut companies may lose contracts, but Lockheed Martin’s purchase of Sikorsky Aircraft is likely to anchor the helicopter maker in Stratford and increase it’s share of Pentagon contracts and the overseas market, analyst say.
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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.