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New Hampshire defense contractors may not be touched directly by the Justice Department investigations into bribery and faud in Pentagon contract procurement, but ultimately, observers agree, they may be hit by the fallout.
While the investigations could result in a system overhaul that might benefit the industry overall, according to some defense analysts and New Hampshire defense company spokespersons, others predict the posibility of defense budget cuts, which might smart a little.
"If some of the big companies lose a contract, there's going to be a trickle-down that will affect everybody," said John Nault, vice president of P D & E, a military defense electronics manufacturer in Newington.
None of New Hampshire's larger defense contractors, such as Sanders Associates and Raytheon Company, has been named in the Justice Department investigations. But Richard Wiebusch, U.S. attorney in New Hampshire, has announced that four New Hampshire companies are under scrutiny in a separate investigation.
The FBI and the Defense Department are looking into alleged fraud involving millions of dollars. Wiebusch has refused to name the companies, but has indicated a case may be brought before a federal grand jury within six months.
Approximately 300, or 20 percent, of the state's manufacturers are direct or indirect defense contractors, performing about...