© Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times/TNS The Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II supersonic aircraft, which started its operational testing on the amphibious assault ship USS America. HARTFORD, Conn. — Legislation that will bring billions of dollars to Connecticut's submarine, fighter jet engine and helicopter manufacturers is awaiting approval from Congress and President Trump's signature.
The $738 billion defense spending plan that authorizes funding for Department of Defense and national security programs of the Department of Energy was approved Monday by House and Senate committee. Here's what it means for Connecticut:
PRATT & WHITNEY ENGINES
Funding includes more than $9 billion for the F-35 joint strike fighter jet. East Hartford-based Pratt & Whitney, the jet engine manufacturer of United Technologies Corp., is the sole engine manufacturer.
MORE SUBMARINES
The measure includes more than $5.4 billion for two Virginia class submarines to be built at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton.
Nearly $3 billion is earmarked for another Virginia class submarine program, according to Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Funding is for the budget year that began Oct. 1 and extends through Sept. 30, 2020.
The committees included more than $1.8 billion in advance procurement for the next-generation Columbia class submarine, including $123 million in submarine industrial base expansion to ensure that contractors can meet increased production requirements.
Blumenthal said the measure also includes more than $74 million for research and development for workforce partnerships for submarine and undersea programs. It's intended to improve collaboration between the Navy, University of Connecticut and Electric Boat, a subsidiary of General Dynamics Corp.
HELICOPTERS
The Defense Department spending bill includes $808 million in funding for six CH-53Ks heavy lift helicopters made by Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford. In addition, spending includes nearly $1.4 billion for 73 Black Hawk helicopters and $884 million for 12 Combat Rescue helicopters.
In addition, Blumenthal said more than $186 million is intended to support the modernization of the Air Force's C-130H fleet, including $55 million in aircraft procurement funding for a propeller upgrade. The funding will benefit the Connecticut Air National Guard's 103rd Airlift wing, which operates the C-130H, as well as UTC, which manufactures the NP2000 propellers manufactured solely in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.
The new propellers will result in a 20% performance increase, 50% reduction in propeller maintenance to reduce operating and support costs, less noise and vibration and a 3% fuel savings.
In addition to the three conglomerates that are Pentagon contractors — UTC; General Dynamics; and Lockheed Martin, the parent company of Sikorsky — hundreds of small, sometimes family-owned, manufacturers are part of the jet engine, submarine and helicopter supply networks.
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