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.
Pentagon
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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.
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Despite CT lawmakers’ opposition, Congress approves Mattis waiver
WASHINGTON — Despite opposition from every member of the Connecticut congressional delegation, a bill containing a waiver that would let retired Gen. James Mattis serve as defense secretary is on its way to President Obama, who says he will sign it.
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Lockheed Martin CEO tells Trump deal is near on F-35s
WASHINGTON — “I’m glad I had the opportunity to tell him that we are close to a deal that will bring the cost down significantly from the previous lot of aircraft to the next lot of aircraft,” CEO Marillyn Hewson told reporters at Trump Tower.
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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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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.
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Pentagon-Lockheed fight over F-35 price doesn’t extend to Pratt
WASHINGTON — The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin differed this week over the price of the a ninth batch of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, but Pratt & Whitney, which makes the engines for those planes, has successfully negotiated contracts for that lot and the next.
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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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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.
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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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Layoffs may be coming to Sikorsky
WASHINGTON — Lockheed Martin said Wednesday it was giving pink slips to 350 of its workers. Although none of them work for Sikorsky, the company made clear it was considering layoffs there.
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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.
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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.
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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.