WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on Lockheed Martin Corp.’s acquisition of Sikorsky Aircraft:

“For generations, Connecticut workers at Sikorsky have manufactured the world’s best helicopters. Today is a bright step forward in preserving Connecticut’s manufacturing tradition and opening new opportunities for the future,” said Murphy. “I congratulate Lockheed Martin, and I look forward to working with their team and with the workers at the Stratford plant to continue to grow Connecticut’s defense manufacturing industry and bring more good-paying jobs to our state.”

On Tuesday, Lockheed Martin today received approval from the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, the last approval needed to close its acquisition of Sikorsky Aircraft.