"These projects are valuable to Maine companies and their workers, and also important to our national security," said Senator Collins.
Senator Collins announced the following appropriations:
· $5.6 million for the manufacture of the XM312 .50 Caliber Advanced Crew Served Weapon. These are advanced lightweight two-man portable weapons systems, which are the next generation replacement for the M2 .50 caliber machine gun. This weapon is produced by General Dynamics in Saco.
· $1.4 million to manufacture XM307 25mm Advanced Crew Served Weapons. These are the next generation replacement for heavy and grenade machine guns that employ precision air burst fragmentation. This weapon is also produced by General Dynamics in Saco.
· $2 million for Integrated Composite Missile Structures, which will reduce costs and weight of missiles while significantly enhancing performance. This Fiber Materials Inc. in Biddeford effort will demonstrate the feasibility of manufacturing a multi-functional integrated missile structures for application in advanced interceptor airframes. This is being developed by Bath Iron Works. The project was funded through Senator Collins' efforts, as funding was not included in the Administration's budget.
· $2.1 million a Fiber Materials Inc. in Biddeford project to develop Ballute Technology, an inflatable device that is a combination of a balloon and parachute used to increase drag on missiles at high velocity so that they can be more accurately intercepted and destroyed.