While the Pentagon says it’s not a competitor to the F-35, the rebirth of the F-15 could cost jobs in Connecticut.
Pratt&Whitney
Posted inNews, Politics
Trump budget would boost Virginia-class sub production, cut social safety net
The decision to boost submarine production, mentioned in a White House budget summary, was welcomed by supporters of the Virginia-class program, but somewhat of a surprise.
Posted inNews, Politics
CT lawmakers ask Pentagon to abandon plans to cut F-35s
WASHINGTON — While President Donald Trump’s latest budget is expected to cut the number of F-35s, it will renew the F-15 fighter jet program.
Posted inNews, Politics
White House objects to three-subs-a-year plan
WASHINGTON – The White House’s Office of Management and Budget has objected to a provision in a massive defense bill approved by the House Thursday that would press the Navy to procure two additional Virginia-class subs in 2022 and 2023. The White House said those additional subs, manufactured by Electric Boat, exceeds President Donald Trump’s request for 10 subs, not 12, in the Navy’s next contract with EB.
Posted inPolitics
Trump’s double down on defense would buy more Black Hawks, F-35s
WASHINGTON — On the same day President Trump rolled out his fiscal 2018 budget, which boosted defense spending, he also asked Congress for $30 billion in extra funding for the Pentagon, in part so it could immediately buy more F-35s and Sikorsky Black Hawks.
Posted inPolitics
McCain blasts DOD, Lockheed Martin for new F-35 delays
WASHINGTON — Sen. John McCain on Tuesday blasted the Pentagon and Lockheed Martin for a seven-month delay in the F-35 program that will cost the Pentagon an additional $500 million.
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 inJustice
Feds say East Hartford plane crash was ‘intentional’
WASHINGTON — Federal safety investigators say the crash of a small plane in East Hartford was intentional, not an accident, and have ceded control of the probe to the FBI.
Posted inNews
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.
Posted inNews
Train safety, gun checks, Medicare premiums among issues affecting Connecticut
Congress delayed for years the deadline for implementing a train safety system and passed a two-year budget that will help Connecticut defense contractors and Medicare recipients. Connecticut students received a mixed report card from the U.S. Department of Education, and whether Pratt & Whitney won a big engine contract remained a military secret.
Posted inNews
Pratt & Whitney could be big winner – or loser – in new bomber contract
WASHINGTON — Pratt & Whitney could be a big winner, or a big loser, in the Pentagon’s decision to award a multi-billion contract to Northrop Grumman to manufacture the nation’s next generation U.S. warplane , the Long-Range Strike Bomber. The Air Force says the identity of subcontractors on the plane must be kept secret for national security reasons.
Posted inPolitics
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
CT Lawmakers split on defense bill Obama dislikes
WASHINGTON – Connecticut lawmakers were split Friday over a massive defense bill that would authorize billions of dollars for the state’s defense industry but has provoked a veto threat from President Obama for boosting military spending in an account that’s out of the reach of a spending cap.
Posted inNews
House panel advances defense bill with billions for Connecticut weapons
WASHINGTON – With the backing of Rep. Joe Courtney, the House Armed Services Committee this week authorized billions of dollars for weapons systems built in Connecticut, including $1.4 billion for a new fund to pay for a new class of nuclear submarines likely to be built by General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton.
Posted inPolitics
Federal watchdogs knock Pentagon, Pratt on F-35 engine
WASHINGTON — Federal investigators Monday detailed a number of problems with Pratt & Whitney’s F135 engine program for the F-35 fighter jet and urged the Pentagon to be a better watchdog of the program.