Raytheon, a major American Defense Contractor and industrial corporation which focuses on manufacturing  defense systems an electronics for defense and commercial interests, will  lay off about 130 local employees from their El Segundo, California, Space and Airborne sector because of cost cuts.  The job cuts are in addition to some 30 other Raytheon employees who received layoff notices in Texas.  The local job layoffs in El Segundo are only about 2 percent of the 7,500 work force that Raytheon has in the area.

Raytheon spokesman Ron Colman said, ”We do not anticipate any effect on our production capacity or on our ability to perform on current contracts.”  The layoffs will affect both engineers and manufacturing workers in both radar and space programs, which develop radar and other sensors, including anti-ballistic missile programs, used by United States military aircraft and government satellites.

Colman explains that “some of our ongoing programs are coming to their natural end.”  Customer delays in new orders has also been a factor in the layoffs, as well as the company’s evolving technical needs. Laid off employees are given 60 days of notice, and they will be able to apply for job openings in other areas of the company.  They will also have access to outplacement services, resume training, and employment counseling.