Northrop Grumman Corp.'s Aerospace Systems sector, based in Redondo Beach, will cut nearly 600 jobs as the military contractor prepares for a tightening federal budget next year.

The cuts will result from voluntary buyouts that employees applied for after Northrop announced this opportunity in July, the company said in a statement.

Most of the employees involved in the buyouts will have their last day of work on Sept. 27, although some will remain until Dec. 24, Northrop spokesman Thomas Henson said in an interview.

"Because of defense budget uncertainties and pressures on current and projected business, we must adjust our budgets by the end of this year to be prepared to meet the challenges of what shapes up as a demanding 2013," Northrop's statement said.

The company said the staff reduction is needed to allow it to "compete in a very cost-conscious marketplace."

The cuts are not related a specific program, but rather will be across the sector in "all functional organizations - administrative and technical," the company said.

Aerospace Systems employs about 21,000 people, mostly in Southern California. Redondo Beach and Manhattan Beach have 6,500 employees, who work on satellite programs.

El Segundo, where Northrop builds the aft and center fuselage for the F/A-18 Super Hornet, has about 4,000 workers.

Northrop also employs 3,500 Aerospace Systems employees in the Antelope Valley from Palmdale to

Northrop employs about 800 people in Carson who are not connected to Aerospace Systems.

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Northrop's Redondo Beach-based Aerospace Systems sector to cut 600 jobs