Asked to elaborate on the notion that sequestration likely would be delayed, Kendall’s spokeswoman, Cheryl Irwin, referred to talks with people on Capitol Hill and other unspecified indications that, she said, point to that possibility.

Kendall said additional cuts, if required, likely would come largely from the Pentagon’s so-called investment accounts - the arms purchases and research and development contracts that fuel earnings of contractors such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon and General Dynamics.

The Defense Department has cancelled a range of major weapons programs over the past few years, chiefly on affordability grounds, as it tightened its belt after a decade during which its budget nearly doubled.

“There really aren’t many (programs) left to go after” that are not essential, Kendall said.