Future MDA, NASA, and military job loss (Huntsville, Redstone Arsenal: for sale, waterpark)

[Charles]

Here's the text:

"Overall, the Missile Defense Agency program will be reduced by $1.4 billion."

from


DefenseLink Speech:

[Reactionary]

From Charles' link:

Good for Mobile:

We will increase the buy of Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) – a key capability for presence, stability, and counterinsurgency operations in coastal regions – from two to three ships in FY 2010.

Good for THAAD:

add $700 million to field more of our most capable theater missile defense systems, specifically the terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) System and Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) programs.

Do over on tankers (not good for Mobile):

we will maintain the KC-X aerial re-fueling tanker schedule and funding, with the intent to solicit bids this summer.

Transition from contractor to Government:

This budget will support these goals by increasing the size of defense acquisition workforce, converting 11,000 contractors and hiring an additional 9,000 government acquisition professionals by 2015 – beginning with 4,100 in FY10.

MDA:

in the area of missile defense:
• We will restructure the program to focus on the rogue state and theater missile threat.
• We will not increase the number of current ground-based interceptors in Alaska as had been planned. But we will continue to robustly fund continued research and development to improve the capability we already have to defend against long-range rogue missile threats...
• We will terminate the Multiple Kill Vehicle (MKV) program because of its significant technical challenges and the need to take a fresh look at the requirement.
• Overall, the Missile Defense Agency program will be reduced by $1.4 billion.

FCS:

we will significantly restructure the Army’s Future Combat Systems (FCS) program. We will retain and accelerate the initial increment of the program to spin out technology enhancements to all combat brigades... I will recommend that we cancel the vehicle component of the current FCS program, re-evaluate the requirements, technology, and approach – and then re-launch the Army’s vehicle modernization program, including a competitive bidding process. An Army vehicle modernization program designed to meet the needs of the full spectrum of conflict is essential. But... we must get the acquisition right, even at the cost of delay.

Support contractors:

Under this budget request, we will reduce the number of support service contractors from our current 39 percent of the workforce to the pre-2001 level of 26 percent and replace them with full-time government employees. Our goal is to hire as many as 13,000 new civil servants in FY10 to replace contractors and up to 30,000 new civil servants in place of contractors over the next five years.

[HB2HSV]

MDA & FCS are two big programs here in Huntsville. Some folks will likely be affected.

[financelife]

I just read some of it, and wow, it doesn't look good for Huntsville at all.

Is this the first time cuts have affected the area? I can't remember.

[friday13]

Originally Posted by HB2HSV

MDA & FCS are two big programs here in Huntsville. Some folks will likely be affected.

What kind of programs are the estimated 4500 incoming BRACs in?

Will they be affected?

Will they ever come in the numbers originally announced in the media? Or is the BRAC move itself (relocation) the way of reducing costs, and not necessarily eliminating the jobs.

Do you see these program cuts the (only) way to go from now on (like cutting here and there and pay the national debts with the savings)? Of course, assuming today's political climate (peace time, relatively speaking).

Or, is this re-allocation of resources in the defense budget just as the economy is cyclical; in a few years time we'll return to the old days (of govt spending on "let's-be-prepared-for-the-what-ifs-of-the-more-distant-future)->Gates put it this way -spend for what we need now, rather than prepare for uncertain or improbable future

Have there been such similar changes in HSV's economy (MDA, AMCOM, RSA, NASA) in the past? How many people? Just enough to be absorbed by other defense branches, or private sector, or they had to leave the area in droves?

Are these people highly specialized? Can they survive and thrive in other industries here? (if their program cut is not just temporary and these jobs will never return to HSV)

Are the programs that get a boost in funding/spending located in HSV so they can soften the fallout and pick up the MDA folks?

If we are talking about thousands of people losing jobs, this will affect real estate too=> property taxes=>local budget=>public funding (schools) and so forth.

Can we form an idea at this time of what could be in store for HSV in the future, or it's just anything is possible, and could change on a whim?

Just curious, I'm not an engineer.

I will probably read a "this was in the cards since we voted democrat, in 4-8 years will vote republican and turn the tables" - but we could very well elect another democrat (pres and legislative).

[Charles]

Originally Posted by HB2HSV

MDA & FCS are two big programs here in Huntsville. Some folks will likely be affected.

What I think I read and heard, correct me or adjust or add in if necessary:

Mentioned an $700M increase in theater, mainly THAAD and Aegis. Some of that here.
Cuts were in ABL, I think to continue R&D. I think that stuff is out at EAFB.
GMD didn't get cut but it didn't seem to get expanded.
EC in Europe still seems to be on the table.
Not sure what killing MKV will do to Huntsville
Not sure what part of FCS vehicle work is done in HSV. I worked FCS in Huntington Beach a couple years ago, not sure if my buds out there will be affected.

Gut feeling (body language in the office, whispers in the hallway), I don't sense horrible things for Huntsville.

[A&M Bulldawg]

If all of this happen, what will keep Huntsville from failing?

[33458]

Husband came home quite angry...well, he was already angry, but now it's personal. The corporation he works for will be directly impacted.

Good thing he's versatile.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Charles

Gut feeling (body language in the office, whispers in the hallway), I don't sense horrible things for Huntsville.

I'll add:

Defense-contractors’ shares gained after Gates’s announcement.

Lockheed rose $5.97 or 8.9 percent to $73.28 in New York Stock Exchange composite trading.
Raytheon Co. increased $3.19 or 8.3 percent to $41.66
Northrop Grumman rose $3.96 or 9 percent to $47.94.
Boeing Co. increased 47 cents to $38.16.

from

Gates Proposes Ending Lockheed F-22, Expediting F-35 (Update4) - Bloomberg.com

Winners and Losers in the Defense Plan - BusinessWeek

[macwell]

fyi....
I wonder how many jobs are associated with the programs/cuts mentioned for Hsv?


Gates aims to slash advanced Huntsville defense program
Posted by Shelby G. Spires April 06, 2009 6:36 PM

Gates aims to slash advanced Huntsville defense program - Breaking News from The Huntsville Times - al.com