Florida Worries About the Defense Budget

December 1, 2008 by Dagpotter · Comment
Filed under: Department of Defense, Federal Budget Process, Florida, Lockheed Martin, Military Aviation, Restructuring, production program 

This article in the OrlandoSentinal.com describes concerns that with the continued payout of money to save finance and other companies the US government may be forced to cut the defense budget. Concern surrounds the two big ticket fighter aircraft currently in production for the US military. The F-22 program is winding down unless Congress decides to extend the production beyond current planned numbers. There are also worries that the F-35 JSF program will be cut back or canceled. These programs provide a lot of work to Lockheed in the Orlando area. Read more

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Fighting takeover Point Blank wins contract

August 18, 2008 by Dagpotter · Comment
Filed under: Acquisitions, Contract Awards, Florida, Point Blank Solutions, U.S. Navy, production program 

According to the South Florida Business Journal, Point Blank Solutions won a contract to provide tactical vests. The contract could be worth over $20 M. Point Blank Solutions has been supplying body armor to the US Armed Forces for several years. At the same time the company is trying to prevent being bought by a hedge fund. They turned down one offer for the company last year, but now it looks like the shareholders will be allowed to vote on the deal.

For more see the South Florida Business Journal article.

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The South celebrates the KC-45

April 18, 2008 by Dagpotter · Comment
Filed under: Alabama, Boeing, Contract Awards, EADS, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Northrop Grumman Corp., Protest, commercial aviation, development program, logistics 

As reported here in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Northrop Grumman continues to point out that the KC-45 contract if it survives the Boeing protest will bring lots of jobs to the US. Especially to the South. Not only is the main plant going to be at Mobile, AL; but this article shows that parts and components will be made at various Northrop plants in Georgia. A lot of the work will also be accomplished in Florida. Read more

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Florida gains economically through DoD contracts

February 2, 2008 by Dagpotter · Comment
Filed under: Federal Budget Process, Florida 

The Bradenton Herald reports on the economic impact of DoD contracts for the Miami area, and Florida in general, here. Since 2003, DoD contracts have been growing by 9% a year. The state expects continued growth in this area. In 2007 there was $52 B of activity related to these contracts in the state. One impact that is not always noted is the high salaries that defense contractors make relative to other industries.

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Orlando Sentinal reports on local defense industry

January 7, 2008 by Dagpotter · Comment
Filed under: Florida, Lockheed Martin, PEO(STRI), production program 

The Orlando Sentinel writes an article about the posture of the local defense industry and how they are benefiting from the current high defense spending. See the article here. Lockheed Martin has a major presence in Orlando. Much of this started in World War II where Florida was used as a major aviation training base. Lockheed makes radars and missiles in their local plant. The Army’s Program Executive Office (Simulations, Training and Instrumentation) (PEO(STRI) is located in the Orlando area as well. This organization develops and buys simulators and training aids. With the continued focus on training with the aids of simulators that business may see continued growth as well.

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