If the B-2 is canceled, as many in Congress would like to do, Northrop would essentially fall into the ranks of major subcontractors.

Delays in the program even led to whispers that Northrop would be replaced as prime contractor by its major subcontractor, the Boeing Company.

A major subcontractor is Capita which specialises in outsourcing for government projects.

With ever-larger orders coming in, Ms. Morgan is looking into hiring a major subcontractor who offers pickup, cutting and manufacturing in large quantities.

Some eight major subcontractors have their own shops along the assembly line, where their workers assemble components, including parts from 400 suppliers, before dropping them onto chassis.

The alliance in turn farms out much of the work to more than 120 companies, with Boeing being the major subcontractor.

A major subcontractor on a contract for the construction of classroom blocks in the New Juaben Municipal Assembly.

BECO was also a major subcontractor for two other laboratories.

As the major subcontractor for Meridian, we've been as disturbed as the general over the lack of guidance results.

United Defense was the prime contractor; General Dynamics the major subcontractor.