P.M. BRIEFING : Bell Helicopter Threatens Layoffs

FT. WORTH — Bell Helicopter Textron will begin layoffs next week unless the Pentagon restores funding for the Osprey V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft, a company spokesman said today.

In a letter to the Defense Department, Bell said it would halt work on the program Friday and begin laying off about 2,000 employees beginning Monday. Bell has been threatening to lay off employees since last week when it became clear the Osprey was in trouble. Defense Secretary Dick Cheney on Tuesday announced $10 billion in defense cuts, and among the items eliminated was the $1.8-million V-22 program.

Funding for the V-22 remains intact through Sept. 30, but in a letter to the Naval Air Systems Command dated April 28, Bell said it would stop work on the program Friday and begin layoffs Monday unless the Defense Department comes up with more money.