U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced that a Senate-House conference committee has approved the FY 2010 Department of Defense spending bill which includes more than $100 million for defense-related projects that would benefit Maine and our national security.
“This legislation will provide funding for essential training, equipment, and support to our troops as they bravely and skillfully engage in national security efforts at home and abroad,” said Senator Collins, who is also a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “This is a critical time in our nation’s history and the Senate has, once again, demonstrated its strong support of our soldiers, airmen, sailors, and Marines. In addition, the funding in this bill will help continue the valuable contributions of Maine companies to our national security.”
The Conference Report must now be voted on by both the House and Senate and signed by the President before it becomes law and the funds become available. The House could vote on the conference report as early as today.
Specifically, this legislation:
• Appropriates over $1 billion in funding for construction of the third DDG-1000, a priority of Senator Collins
• Appropriates $1 billion for the Navy’s new Littoral Combat Ship
• Appropriates $2.2 billion for continued DDG-51 procurement and over $144 million for the DDG-51 modernization program
• Provides $38 million for the ANG Block 42 F-16 engine upgrades supported at Pratt & Whitney’s plant in North Berwick
• Fully funds F-35 Joint Strike Fighter request for both the Navy and Air Force. This aircraft is powered by engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney
• Adds $2.5 billion to buy 10 additional C-17 Globemaster Transport Aircraft. The engines for this aircraft are built by Pratt & Whitney.
In addition, Senator Collins successfully secured funding for the following Maine defense-related projects:
Aroostook County
• $20 million to Maine Military Authority in Limestone for the continued maintenance of Humvee vehicles.
Cumberland County
• $2.5 million for Portland Valve in South Portland for smart valve technology.
• $1.2 million for Technology Systems, Inc. in Brunswick for additional development of the threat identification program as well as test and demonstration on small craft to allow for tailoring the system for small craft operators.
Kennebec County
• $4 million for Maine Manufacturing Extension Partnership in Augusta for the supply chain initiative which will provide DoD rapid response capability to surge demand using the network of New England suppliers and minimize the risk from supply chain disruptions, obsolescence, and battlefield backorders for machined parts.
• $3.9 million for Tex Tech Industries in North Monmouth to produce Ballistic CORE Technology. The Ballistic CORE Technology project provides enhanced protection for troops against fragmentation from blasts and a variety of bullets.
Lincoln County
• $1.6 million for Hodgdon Defense for research and development to reduce structural weight for high-speed composite craft through the use of lightweight composite materials.
Penobscot County
• $5.3 million for the University of Maine in Orono. The appropriations funding will support critical programs to include the LGX High Temperature Acoustic Wave Sensors, woody biomass conversion to JP-8 Fuel, ballistic protection for remote forward operating bases, and cellulose nanocomposite technology to support operating base infrastructure and troop protection.
• $1.9 million for Orono Spectral Solutions to continue development of a chemical and biological infrared detection system.
• $1.5 million for ANGEL Secure Networks in Orono to continue development of software which would secure content delivery and provide host authentication both of which are of critical importance to protect the Department of Defense’s technological edge.
• $1.3 million for Sensor Research & Development in Orono for real time test monitoring of chemical agents, chemical agent stimulants and toxic industrial chemicals.
• $1.6 million for Maine Institute for Human Genetics & Health in Brewer for technologies that support the health care challenges in the military and addressing the reduction of disease risks in unique population segments exposed to environmental or stress hazards.
York County
• $9.2 million for Saco Defense for manufacturing of the Lightweight Caliber .50 Machine Gun and the Advanced Lightweight Grenade Launcher.
• $2 million for Howe & Howe Technologies, Inc. in North Berwick to weaponize the Ripsaw Unmanned Ground Vehicle platform which will provide a full-size high speed all terrain weapons platform.
• $1.6 million for Applied Thermal Sciences in Sanford for the research and development of fuel efficient, high specific power free piston engines for Unmanned Sea Surface Vessels.