LINTHICUM, Md. (AP) -- Defense contractor Northrup Grumman says it is cutting 500 jobs, mostly in the Baltimore area, because of a slowdown in defense spending.

Company spokesman Jack Martin Jr. said the cuts at the Linthicum-based Electronic Systems division will be made by the end of May through buyouts and, if necessary, layoffs.

The division employs about 8,300 in the Baltimore region, primarily in Linthicum with smaller operations in Annapolis, Sykesville and Elkridge. Martin says nearly 150 workers were laid off from the company's offices in Linthicum and Annapolis last June.

The company says the vast majority of the latest cuts will be in the Baltimore area, and the rest will be made in Illinois, Virginia, Connecticut, Florida and Alabama.