Hundreds Face Axe At Lockheed (Up To 1,000 Layoffs)

[hatrack]

"Several hundred Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. workers who build F-16 fighter jets could soon lose their jobs as the company moves to trim down after three years of adding workers.

Lockheed officials said Thursday that cutbacks are necessary because the company had hired extra workers to speed up F-16 production at its west Fort Worth plant. Other programs, including the F-35 joint strike fighter, are behind schedule.

As many as 1,000 jobs assigned to the F-16 program could be cut by year's end, although a Lockheed spokesman said the number would probably be smaller as some workers are reassigned to other positions. "A substantial number will be taken off the F-16 program before midyear," Lockheed spokesman Joe Stout said. He said the company has overcome F-16 production difficulties and is meeting delivery schedules.

Senior executives of parent Lockheed Martin Corp. have expressed concern recently that profit margins on the aircraft programs have not met expectations because of development and production problems."

EDIT

http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/nation/8339842.htm

[denverbill]

1. I'm sure they could build F-16's cheaper in China.

Why not outsource those jobs? </sarcasm>

[leesa]

2. Now this is a good thing in a way. I'm sorry people need to lose jobs,

but the sick attitude in America has been that war is good for job growth. I would love to see that immoral approach to job creation squelched.