Northrup Grumman - Layoffs in the near future?

Fewer surface ships in the near term, which would likely result in layoffs

Follow up:

Before the seapower subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee, representatives of the two largest U.S. military shipyards, General Dynamics and Northrup Grumman warned of possible layoffs. The projected U.S. Navy's 30-year shipbuilding plan funds for 13 fewer surface ships and 10 fewer attack submarines.

Before the same committee,, Northrop Grumman announced it is examining both competing in Littoral Combat Ship designs or possibly bidding as a second-source shipyard to build the small, fast warships for the U.S. Navy.

Currently, Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics are competing for the LCS design, expected to take place early this summer. At stake is an initial award for 10 ships. Another competition - the one being considered by Northrop - will be held for a second-source supplier to build a batch of five ships. Four ships already have been built or are under construction. The plans are to buy a 55-ship LCS force.