DeLauro Announces Over $3 Billion in Defense

Funding for Third Congressional District

– Record 102 Black Hawks Secured for Sikorsky Aircraft –

WASHINGTON , D.C. – Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) today announced over $3 billion in defense funding for the Third Congressional District.  The funding was secured under the Fiscal Year 2007 Defense Appropriations Conference Report, which is anticipated to pass the U.S. House later today before going on to the U.S. Senate for consideration.  DeLauro is the only member of the Connecticut delegation to hold a seat on the Appropriations Committee.

“This year’s Defense Appropriations Bill will include one of the largest number of Black Hawks ever secured for Sikorsky – once again proving the value of Sikorsky’s helicopters to the U.S. military,” said DeLauro.  “Time and time again, we have said whether it is producing the best helicopters in the world, making the most advanced jet engines or developing medical research that will save lives, Connecticut will be a leader in delivering this vital equipment and knowledge to our country’s servicemen and women. I am pleased to announce this funding today.”

The 2007 Defense Appropriations Conference Report contains funding for the following initiatives:

Sikorsky Aircraft, Stratford

$2.3 billion for 102 H-60 Black Hawk helicopters (54 Army, 43 Navy, and 5 Army National Guard)

$8.25 million for conversion of H-60A Army National Guard helicopters to H-60L models

$357.6 million for R&D on the CH-53X, the Marine Corps Heavy Lift helicopter (to be designed and built in Stratford )

 

Pratt and Whitney, Middletown

$12 million to continue the F-16 Block 42 engine upgrade for the Air National Guard.

Funding for 20 F-22 aircraft (Pratt makes these engines).

Funding for 10 C-17 aircraft (Pratt makes these engines).

Funding for 14 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft (Pratt will provide these engines).

$2.2 million for research on the Versatile Advanced Turbine Engine Project.

The bill also includes language directing the Defense Department to continue production of the C-17 in Fiscal Year 2008.

Z-Medica, Wallingford

$1.4 million for the Marine Corps Reserve to purchase Hemostatic Quik Clot units, a bandage that helps improve blood clotting, thus reducing blood loss during catastrophic injury, especially gun shot wounds.

Kaman Aerospace, Middletown

$162 million for Air Force procurement of Joint Programmable Fuzes (missiles).

Invitrogen, Branford

$1.1 million to continue developing improved detection of and response to biological weapons.

Proton Energy, Wallingford

$1.1 million to continue developing a regenerative fuel cell for the Navy to provide power at land-based installation 

VaxInnate, New Haven

$1 million to develop and test a synthetic malaria vaccine.

Yale-New Haven Hospital Systems, New Haven

$1 million to continue work with the U.S. Northern Command to establish a National Center for Civilian-Military Medical Response, which will plan and coordinate military and civilian responses to homeland security disasters.  As seen in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, improving contact between civilian and military health experts during a catastrophic event is vital to maintaining public safety and awareness.

Other

$1.95 million for the New England Manufacturing Supply Chain, a DOD program that encourages small business defense manufacturing throughout the region .

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www.house.gov/delauro