P.M. BRIEFING : Ex-Defense Secretary Will Become Director of 4th Defense Contractor

Former Secretary of Defense Frank C. Carlucci will become a director of Kaman Corp., a defense and industrial hardware supplier when he is approved by the board later this month, the firm announced today. Since leaving office Carlucci has joined the boards of three other government contractors.

Kaman’s board will vote on Carlucci’s nomination at its next meeting Feb. 28, said Kaman spokesman J. Kenneth Nasshan. Carlucci stepped down as defense secretary when President Ronald Reagan left office Jan. 20, ending a 30-year career in government. He recently took a job in the Washington office of the Carlyle Group, a merchant banking and investment firm.

The spokesman denied that Carlucci was sought for whatever influence he may have with the Pentagon. “Everyone understands what federal laws and guidelines allow,” Nasshan said.

Since leaving government service, Carlucci has been named to the boards of Westinghouse Electric Corp., Ashland Oil Inc. and Bell Atlantic Corp., all government contractors. Kaman’s outside directors receive annual retainers of $10,000, plus fees of $600 for each meeting they attend.