Contact: Elinor Hargreaves 860-282-4283
ehargreaves@ccat.us
October 11, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DELOITTE STUDY FOCUSES ON IMPACT OF F-22 CANCELLATION AND F-35 PRODUCTION
UNDER DoD GRANT TO TOWN OF EAST HARTFORD
CCAT to manage DoD supplemental grant
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 among F-22 and F-35 supply chain companies and the potential vulnerability they may have to increased defense cutbacks.
"We're counting on our aerospace and defense companies to participate in the important study that Deloitte is conducting. The information gathered is critical to help strengthen and sustain the A&D manufacturing base not only in our area but across the nation," commented East Hartford Mayor Marcia Leclerc. "East Hartford, long the home of jet engine manufacturing and advanced technology, must do everything we can to ensure that A&D manufacturers and their highly-skilled workforce remain here and thrive."
The supplemental award furthers research and planning work that CCAT is doing under an existing OEA grant to develop a plan to preserve the A&D workforce and support economic diversification and stability in the region.
ABOUT CCAT
The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. (CCAT) helps private and public entities to apply innovative tools and practices to increase efficiencies, improve workforce development and boost competitiveness. CCAT functions as a unique economic development organization that combines expertise in cutting-edge technology with specialized centers of excellence in manufacturing, education, training, energy, and entrepreneurialism. Throughout these efforts, we promote partnership between industry, academia, and government to create a new collaborative framework for addressing 21st-century economic challenges.
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