8:19 AM Wed, Aug 20, 2008 | Permalink
By John Kostrzewa  Email this author | Email this entry |
Textron Inc.'s Bell Helicopter unit was directed to reduce work for three months on the $6.27 billion Army Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter program while the Pentagon decides whether it should continue, a service spokesman told Bloomberg News this morning.
The slowdown includes a temporary freeze on the 280 Bell Helicopter personnel now assigned to the program and deferring orders for a flight simulator and maintenance training devices, Army contracting officer James Ganoe wrote to Bell Textron officials today.
``This is a reasonable, temporary and prudent measure that will limit program growth'' during the Pentagon review, said Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Martin Downie. ``Though this action defers adding employees to the program we don't anticipate that current employees will lose their jobs during this temporary period,'' Downie said.
The aircraft is projected to cost 43 percent more than planned, an increase that requires senior Pentagon officials to certify to Congress that the program is vital to national security. That process is to be complete by Sept. 30.
Pentagon Undersecretary for Acquisition John Young will decide whether the program can be certified. He will review the new cost growth, its origins and whether it can be controlled, he said.
The review will ``let us look at all the options,'' Young said. ``It's very disappointing -- the cost growth. I've got to get to the bottom of it.'' He said he would determine ``whether there are other options that might lower cost and deliver comparable capability for the taxpayer.''
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Bell just laid off 504 people and climbing.
They say it was a 20% managment hit, along with a 4% total layoff.
Maybe the fuzzy math is what killed the ARH, how many people does Bell have?????
Report Abuse
Bell just laid off 504 people and climbing.
They say it was a 20% managment hit, along with a 4% total layoff.
Maybe the fuzzy math is what killed the ARH, how many people does Bell have?????
Report Abuse
Bell just laid off 504 people and climbing.
They say it was a 20% managment hit, along with a 4% total layoff.
Maybe the fuzzy math is what killed the ARH, how many people does Bell have?????
Report Abuse