Lockheed Martin announces 600 more layoffs companywide

Defense contractor Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE: LMT) today announced it is cutting about 600 more jobs in its Mission Systems and Training business in the U.S. next month. The company didn’t say how many jobs would be eliminated in Central New York.

Today’s announcement comes two months after Lockheed cut 367 jobs in the Mission Systems and Training unit, including 114 employees at its Salina plant and 25 workers at its Owego facility.

“This action is necessary to address continuing challenges in our business environment, including continued uncertain program funding, delays in contract awards and an extremely competitive market,” Keith D. Little, senior manager of media relations and public affairs at Lockheed Martin, said in an email today. “While the government shutdown did impact our business, this action is independent from that event.”

The security and aerospace company didn’t specify how many jobs would be cut at its various facilities.

“We are looking across all our locations in the U.S. to determine how to best make these reductions while continuing to deliver on our customer commitments,” Little said.

Lockheed plans to notify affected employees on Nov. 6.

Lockheed’s Mission Systems and Training business provides systems engineering, software development, complex program management, supply-chain solutions and logistics, and training and simulation technologies for global security, civil, and commercial markets, according to its website.

The unit employs more than 18,000 people in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Taiwan, Japan, United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Australia. Computer systems, software, and hardware engineering professionals make up the biggest segment of its workforce, followed by production, professional, and other support specialists, according to the site.

Lockheed Martin employs almost 120,000 people companywide. It generated $47 billion in revenue last year.

Contact Rombel at arombel@cnybj.com