Connecticut to score Big

[Atomic1]

The state’s largest defense contractor is celebrating some early Christmas presents from CONGRESS . The Defense Authorization Act includes over $15 billion in orders for weapons systems that will have a direct impact on the state’s largest employers.

Obama is expected to sign this huge bill that affects the livelihoods of thousands of Connecticut families within the next few days. More than 3,000 Connecticut residents work building military engines at the Pratt & Whitney plants in Middletown and East Hartford. Thousands more sub-contractors around the state make many of the parts, jobs that have been secured for well into the future.

The massive defense funding bill includes nearly $6 billion for 38 more Joint Strike Fighter planes as the program continues to ramp up for the decades ahead. Thursday, the head of Pratt’s military engine division greeted and praised the state’s two U.S. Senators for their efforts.

“It’s assets produced here in Connecticut that, as we speak, are protecting us overseas,” said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.

The other major United Technologies defense contractor, SIKORSKY in Stratford, is also getting a big order. Nearly $2.5 BILLION was approved to purchase 85 Blackhawk helicopters, 29 Seahawks, and 8 Knighthawks. It represents a budget request increase of over $100 million to help modernize the Army National Guard.

Connecticut’s other major defense contractor, General Dynamics Electric Boat, gets the other big early Christmas gift. Nearly $6 billion for two Virginia Class submarines and over a billion more for further research and development for the Ohio-Class sub, which is even bigger, carries 24 Trident nuclear missiles, and is intended to be a deterrent to nuclear war.

“It’s a triumph for our national security that the United States will remain strong and have first-class fighter planes, submarines and helicopters produced here in Connecticut,” said Sen. Dick Blumenthal, D-Conn.

Because of the submarine order, Electric Boat has already posted 300 job openings and word is UTC will also be hiring ! Unfortunately the events around the world dictate a need for increased defense and Connecticut is the hub of Defense Contractors so ..............

[deadheadskier]

Oh, I see. You don't like bigger government, except for when you personally benefit from it.

[Dr. NO]

Epileptic Boat is maintaining production of 2 newest Virginia class subs every year for some specified period. With about 1/4 of the nuclear sub fleet in port and limited to operations tell me why we need 2 / year at a couple BILLION each? Fix the military and Veterans health care and pay our soldiers what they are worth, which is a hell of a lot more than our Congressmen.

[Atomic1]

Connecticut will be a leader in the sluggish job market ! IMO Defense contractors get a pass on the " big Gov. " as its a necessary evil that' in the long run benefits us all . Some of those choppers will be going to each states National Guards like the one that flew in supplies and rescued people here at Killington after the Floods a few years ago.

[freeski]

There have been articles in the news lately saying the military does not want anymore tanks. We are not fighting large ground wars and they want to be able to move quickly and be more flexible. This is great news because tanks cost a great deal of money. The problem is Congress wants to continue to build tanks and they control the purse strings; so guess what? Yes, we are spending billions on tanks we don't need. The contractors support the politician's campaigns and I would be very surprised if no bribe money changes hands. The wheels keep spinning and the debt keeps growing.

This isn't new it has been going on for years with the tanks and probably a lot of other things.

[steamboat1]

Oh, I see. You don't like bigger government, except for when you personally benefit from it.

Bet you'd love a government contract right about now too. Get off your high horse.

[deadheadskier]

Connecticut will be a leader in the sluggish job market ! IMO Defense contractors get a pass on the " big Gov. " as its a necessary evil that' in the long run benefits us all . Some of those choppers will be going to each states National Guards like the one that flew in supplies and rescued people here at Killington after the Floods a few years ago.

Yup, our military budget is what? 3 times the size of #2 China and equal to the budgets of nations 2-14 combined.

Meanwhile our national education system is a joke compared to most other 1st world nations.

But what we need to spend more money on is gun builders and not schools and teachers.

Perfect priorities

[brownman]

Good Luck with that war footing and insurance model
CT is, and will continue to be economic and societal mess.
Bankrupted Hartford Club serves as accurate barometer.
Identity crisis of major proportions is building.
Ribicoff and Grasso are rolling in her graves.

We'll light a candle for you.

[steamboat1]

Meanwhile our national education system is a joke compared to most other 1st world nations.

Yeah it's a real shame what they did with you.

[madhatter]

Meanwhile our national education system is a joke compared to most other 1st world nations.

Yeah it's a real shame what they did with you.

[Atomic1]

Meanwhile our national education system is a joke compared to most other 1st world nations.

Yeah it's a real shame what they did with you.