By Marina Malenic
MARIETTA, Ga.–Approximately 25,000 jobs could be lost if President Barack Obama decides not to continue F-22 Raptor production, industry executives said here yesterday.
Prime contractor Lockheed Martin [BA], subcontractor Boeing [BA], engine producer Pratt & Whitney [UTX] and their direct suppliers employ about 25,000 people on F-22-related refining, machining, fabrication and assembly, said Larry Lawson, Lockheed Martin’s executive vice president for the F-22 program.
In addition, some 70,000 “indirect” suppliers contribute to the effort.
“The total consequential impact is about 95,000 jobs,” Lawson told reporters at the company’s Marietta, Ga., production facility. “In 2010, you’d see the bulk of that hit” if Obama decides to terminate the production line.
Pentagon leaders have hesitated to continue the F-22 line beyond the 183 aircraft ordered, supporting the purchase of just four more aircraft in the next supplemental war- funding bill. Congress has directed Obama to decide by March 1 whether to continue purchasing the aircraft beyond the 183 committed to production.
“Our focus is on making sure that the president has all the information he needs in making a fully informed decision,” Lawson said.
Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Pratt & Whitney depend on 1,000 suppliers in 44 states for parts. Lawson noted that California has the largest employment associated with F-22 production, followed by Texas, New Hampshire and Georgia.
“If you’re looking for stimulus, if you’re looking to stop the … current economic bleeding, step one is to stabilize the situation,” he said. “Having ongoing production jobs prevents you from having job loss and provides stability.”
Including the work of the indirect suppliers, Lawson said there is some $12 billion in “annual economic value” associated with ongoing F-22 production.
“What will happen with those companies when we go away, I can’t predict,” he said.