Congressmen And Senators Appeal For Restoration Of Funding

A recent proposal by the US Navy to cut back production on the Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye surveillance plane could impact nearly 400 jobs by springtime.

Florida senators and representatives have spearheaded a plan to help keep the E-2D Hawkeye program alive in St. Augustine, FL... writing to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to ask him to reconsider maintaining current production levels at four aircraft per year.

"The reduction in the 2009 appropriation has significant undesired consequences for the program," their letter said. "(The E-2D) is the cornerstone of the Navy's Net-Centric Warfare concept and imperative for protection against air and missile threats. The 2009 appropriation leaves the program inadequate to sustain its transition from development to low-rate production."

Reduction of the St. Augustine plant's contract from four to three planes produced may not sound like much, but could mean the loss of 124 jobs at the factory and another 350 parts supplier jobs as soon as spring, the St. Augustine Register reported.

Planned nationwide cutbacks in the E-2D program totaling $200 million would cause a ripple effect touching over 2,600 workers and parts suppliers.

US Rep. John Mica, R-Winter Park, said there may be a chance to restore funding tucked somewhere in the Omnibus Spending Bill, scheduled to be heard March 1.

"(But) there's almost nothing in the $820 billion Economic Stimulus Bill devoted to shoring up our military," he said. "We're going to try and save the jobs. Until the (Omnibus Bill) goes to Obama's desk, we're not giving up."

FMI: www.navy.mil, www.northropgrumman.com