Northrop Grumman Corporation is fighting to keep dozens of jobs on Long Island and one of its defense projects on line after a $203 million cut in federal funding.

The federal government decided to cut funding for the development of Grumman?s Hawkeye planes, used by the U.S. Navy. James Culmo, vice president of Grumman?s Advanced Hawkeye program, says if that money disappears, pink slips will go out to dozens of workers on Long Island, and many others around the country.

Culmo says the company has taken out ad space in various newspapers and launched a Web site to gain support. All five members of Long Island's Congressional delegation have signed off on a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates expressing their strong support for the Hawkeye program and asking that Gates reconsider the cuts.

"We're working hard with Congress to encourage the Navy to get the airplanes back in the budget,? Culmo says.