Layoffs hit Sikorsky after cancelation of scout helicopter program

In February The US Army announced the cancelation of the Future Attack and Reconnaissance Aircraft program which had been the best chance for Sikorsky to take advantage of the research and development that went into the failed bid to produce a next-generation aircraft to replace the venerable UH-60 Blackhawk.

As result, Sikorsky is cutting its workforce in Connecticut and beyond. Parent company Lockheed Martin told CT Insider on Tuesday that this would represent less than one percent of its total workforce. The defense contractor however has more than 100,000 employees across the country and the layoffs will fall primarily upon Stratford-based Sikorsky.

The Register Citizen reported that around 400 total jobs will be lost across the state.

Despite the program’s cancelation various versions of the Black Hawk continue to be sold to the US military and armed forces throughout the world. On April 5 Lockheed Martin announced that the military of Greece is officially planning to purchase 35 Black Hawks.