BRIEFLY / AEROSPACE : UT Unit to Cut 1,500 Jobs, Close 2 Plants

United Technologies Corp.’s Hamilton Sundstrand unit, an aerospace company that makes flight systems and the NASA spacesuit, said it will cut 1,500 jobs, or 8.3% of its worldwide work force, by the end of next year. The reductions are a “natural result” of the company’s purchase of Rockford, Ill.-based Sundstrand Corp. earlier this year, and come as the aerospace industry suffers a downturn, UT said. As part of the streamlining, the company plans to close two of its six U.S. aerospace electronics plants in Connecticut and Colorado and shift work to other facilities in the U.S. and overseas. Some propeller systems overhaul and repair will move to Long Beach, as will some production operations. Hamilton Sundstrand first will offer voluntary buyouts to salaried and hourly workers and hopes as many as 500 will accept the packages. The company did not say how much money would be saved. Shares in Hartford, Conn.-based United Technologies rose 31 cents to close at $60.88 on the New York Stock Exchange.