WASHINGTON, DC— Senator Susan Collins, who is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has secured full funding in the defense authorization bill, at the President’s requested level of $3.4 billion, toward two DD(X) next generation destroyers. The bill would ensure that one DD(X) would be built at BIW and the other at Ingalls in Mississippi. And also at the request of Senator Collins, it includes $25 million for the DDG modernization program at BIW.
In addition, the bill includes over $90 million in other defense-related projects for Maine.
“I am pleased that my colleagues on the Senate Armed Services Committee have recognized how critical the DD(X) destroyer program is to the future of our Navy and to the skilled workforce at BIW,” said Senator Collins. “The Senate defense authorization bill would ensure that the Navy proceeds with two DD(X) destroyers over the next two years, one of which will be built at BIW. This funding is key in helping us to maintain the skilled workforce at BIW and meet the requirements of the Navy,” said Senator Collins.
Contrary to Senator Collins’ DD(X) provision included in the Senate bill, the House defense authorization legislation would provide construction funding for only one DD(X), which would likely be built at Ingalls in Mississippi. Senator Collins described the House bill as potentially “devastating” to BIW. In addition, the House bill would curtail the overall DD(X) program after only two destroyers are built. The Navy has requested seven over the next ten years.
The defense authorization bill now proceeds to the full Senate for consideration.
At the request of Senator Collins, the Senate version of the bill also includes over $90 million for other defense-related projects to benefit Maine and our national security. Senator Collins’ successful funding follows:
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- $25 million for BIW’s DDG-51 Modernization Program
- The bill fully funds the President’s FY07 budget request of $3.4 billion for the DD(X) program: $2.6 billion in shipbuilding funding and $793.9 million in research and continued development funding. This allows the construction of the first two DD(X)’s to proceed at both BIW and Ingalls.
- $840 million for the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship program, which includes work for a construction team led by BIW, which was also included at the request of Senator Collins
- $9.6 million for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Drydock Waterfront Support Facility
- $17.9 million for Saco Defense of Saco
- Funding for Pratt & Whitney of North Berwick - The Defense Authorization bill includes additional funding of $660 million above the President’s budget request to allow the Air Force to purchase two additional C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. Some of the work on this aircraft will be completed at Pratt and Whitney’s North Berwick plant.
- The bill provides full funding at the President’s budget request of $2 billion for the F-22A Raptor aircraft and provides $4.1 billion for the next generation Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. The Joint Strike Fighter is currently in System Development and Demonstration with the aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney’s F-135 engine, and Pratt & Whitney builds the F119 engine for the F-22A aircraft.
- $11.5 million to fulfill the Maine Army National Guard’s requirement for a tactical utility vehicle designed to carry supplies and casualties in support of ongoing combat operations, as well as during homeland security and disaster relief missions.
- $2 million to the University of Maine for the University’s Army Center of Excellence to design and test lightweight ballistic panel tent inserts made from composite materials that include ballistic fibers and wood elements, and to continue work on rigidified airbeam shelters and airbeam design manual.
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- $3 million to Telford Aviation of Bangor for continued work on Lighter-Than-Air unmanned vehicle technologies in order to offer troops the ability to rapidly and reliably provide aerial support in areas with little or no transportation infrastructure.
- $2.5 million to Portland Valve of South Portland. To replace current relief valves on board Navy ships with Portland Valve’s “smart” valve, which is highly accurate, responds quickly to demands, is reliable and durable, and resistant to harsh conditions. This product will lower valve cost by 125 percent and last for over 30 years.
- $4 million to Applied Thermal Sciences (ATS) of Sanford. For ATS’ advancement of the Small Watercraft Propulsion watercraft that serves to safeguard ports and harbors against terrorist threats and provide escorts to large Navy ships during refueling and port operations.
- $5 million to Maine Marine Manufacturing of East Boothbay, Hodgdon Yachts of Boothbay Harbor, and the University of Maine. This funding is for Maine Marine Manufacturing and Hodgdon Yachts—in partnership with the University of Maine—to deliver the composite Mk V.1 craft to support the missions of the Navy, Special Operations Command, and the U.S. Coast Guard.
- $2.5 million to Howe & Howe of North Berwick for Unmanned Ground Vehicle weaponization. This is the world’s fastest dual-tracked vehicle that enables troops to find and remove Improvised Explosive Devices before being exposed to them.
- $2.8 million for Global Relief Technologies of Portsmouth. This would implement the Rapid Data Management System capability for expeditiously disseminating information to deployed U.S. Southern Command personnel in disconnected and remote environments, as well as increase timely information exchange during specialized military or humanitarian relief missions.
- $2.4 million for Wilcox Industries of Portsmouth for procurement of the Helmet Mount Track System that enhances the current capability of the already-fielded Night Vision Goggles and helmet used by Naval special warfare forces.
- $3 million for New England Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative. This project assists small- and medium-sized manufacturers to successfully obtain contracts to supply equipment and products to the Department of Defense.
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