Raytheon Mum On Exact Job Losses In Connecticut

EAST HARTFORD, CT — Though it acknowledges layoff projections have increased to 15,000 Raytheon is not divulging the exact impact on jobs in Connecticut.

In an e-mail to Patch Thursday, Chris Johnson of Raytheon's global media relations staff said, "We don’t have any additional details to share at this time."

Raytheon announced in July that it was cutting more than 8,000 jobs. On Wednesday, the company said the estimate is now closer to to 15,000.

The announcement comes on the heels of a Morgan Stanley analysts webcast.

A downturn in the commercial airline industry seems to be the culprit, according to the Raytheon Chief Executive Officer Greg Hayes. Raytheon is seeking to make up $2 billion through "cost reductions" and $4 billion in "cash conservation" this year, he said. He said global commercial air traffic has dropped 45 percent amid the coronavoris pandemic.

The company's defense-related business, of which East Hartford-based jet engine maker Pratt & Whitney is a major player, remains strong, Hayes said. Pratt would still account for 20 percent of the cuts, Hayes said.

He said another 12 percent could come from Collins Aerospace, which is based in North Carolina with a presence in Connecticut.