Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Post titleDeloitte Study Focuses On Impact of F-22 Cancellation And F-35 Production Under DoD Grant To Town of East Hartford



East Hartford, Conn. -- Deloitte Consulting LLP, a noted consulting firm with extensive experience in aerospace and defense (A&D)manufacturing, has been selected by the Town of East Hartford and the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. (CCAT) to assess the real and potential economic and workforce impacts due to the F-22 Raptor Fighter (F-22) program cancellation, and to potential delays and defense budget cuts to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (F-35) program in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.  East Hartford-based Pratt & Whitney engines power both aircraft.

Starting this week, Deloitte will survey nearly 250 F-22 and F-35 supply chain manufacturers across the three-state region. Critical issues to be examined include the overlap in the workforce between the F-22 and F-35 programs, the workforce and economic impacts of anticipated F-35 contracts, and consideration of other factors affecting the A&D workforce in the region.

In addition, Deloitte will use economic modeling to examine possible economic and workforce impacts of F-35 program delays and defense budget cuts on supply chain companies directly and on Connecticut and Massachusetts.

"With the uncertainties of the national defense budget, it is only with this concentrated research and analysis effort by a renowned firm like Deloitte Consulting that we can develop a plan to help sustain the A&D manufacturing sector and advance economic diversity and development throughout Connecticut and the New England region," said Elliot Ginsberg, CCAT president & CEO.

"Deloitte's modeling capability, hands-on experience with the F-22 and F-35 programs and suppliers, and strong existing relationships with Pratt & Whitney and other industry experts make them an excellent choice for this effort," stated Ginsberg.

The research is funded as part of a $380,227 supplemental grant awarded to The Town of East Hartford, with CCAT, from the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA).  The additional funding also supports further study of the diversification amongF-22 and F-35 supply chain companies and the potential vulnerability they may have to increased defense cutbacks.