Friday, August 26, 2011

Florida: Northrop Grumman offers aerospace layoffs. Melbourne jobs cut be reduced.

Northrop Grumman's plan to reduce its total work force by 500 voluntary retirements might reduce the number of workers in Melbourne, where 1,400 engineers and technicians are refurbishing and upgrading aircraft that carry an advanced battlefield radar system that helps track activity on the ground.

The company offered a voluntary layoff program Wednesday to 23,000 employees at its Aerospace Systems sector.

"This action is being taken because of defense budget uncertainties and pressures on current and projected business," a company statement said. "We must adjust our budgets by the end of this year to be prepared to meet the challenges of what shapes up as a demanding 2012."

Melbourne's Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System program could receive delayed or reduced funding. The Melbourne operations, with a payroll of $153 million, could suffer.

"It's much too soon to tell," said Dianne Baumert-Moyik, Northrop spokeswoman. "We have just offered the voluntary reduction, which allows employees across the entire sector of 23,000 people (mostly in California) to consider it."

Any employee can apply.

"Some may be approved and others may not, based on the need for the position to remain," Baumert-Moyik said.

Employees who wish to relocate also can apply for 450 open positions across the company.

Several of Brevard's defense contractors have said they are preparing for budget cuts in the face of the federal government's large budget deficit. A congressional committee has been appointed to propose ways to reduce the deficit. However, the committee and Congress are sharply divided between those who want to raise revenue and those who want spending cuts. If the committee cannot find a compromise, massive defense cuts will be triggered.

Northrop Grumman has sold its shipyards in anticipation of reduced defense spending, but defense analysts expect the company's high-tech intelligence and reconnaissance programs will be the least likely systems to be cut.

Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems is based in Redondo Beach, Calif., and employs 18,000 in California. Other locations are Melbourne and St. Augustine; Bethpage, N.Y.; Clearfield, Utah; Oklahoma City, Okla.; New Town, N.D.; Moss Point, Miss.; and Warner Robins, Ga.

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