Two major military aircraft programs that support thousands of Southern California jobs , including many in the South Bay , could lose their funding if Congress supports Pentagon budget priorities just announced.

A third program with a major local presence could see reduced funding, according to the Defense Department proposal.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the nation should stop pouring billions into the futuristic, super-expensive F-22 jet fighters and the C-17 Globemaster, a heavy-duty military transport plane. He also recommended reduced funding for the F/A-18 Super Hornet. While assembled in St. Louis by Boeing Co., the Super Hornet’s center and aft fuselage are made in El Segundo by Northrop Grumman Corp.

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