WASHINGTON, D.C.–Today, the Senate passed the Defense Appropriations bill for FY 2004. Senators Gordon Smith (R-OR) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) were able to secure funding for numerous defense projects based in Oregon.

“This funding is a not only a boon to Oregon’s economy but also a testament to what Oregon’s best and brightest contribute to making the U.S. armed forces the best in the world,” said Smith.

“Bringing this much-needed funding to Oregon will give our technology and health sectors a shot in the arm, while helping to create innovative, advanced systems for our national defense,” said Wyden.

Projects that will receive funding are as follows:

• Oregon Iron Works will receive $15 million for the completion and continued testing of a Sealion craft capable of supporting a variety of missions, including mine identification and deactivation, clandestine surveillance of shore side and seaborne activity, reconnaissance, and target interdiction.

• Guardian Marine International will receive $4.5 million for the construction of high-speed torpedo retriever/security craft.

• Advance Navigation and Positioning Corporation will receive $7 million for the Transportable Transponder Landing System to improve the safety, accuracy, and reliability of military aviation operations.

• HemCon, Inc. will receive $16 million for the further development of hemorrhage control dressing and tissue replacement that would revolutionize treatment of external bleeding, which the Army cites as the leading preventable cause of death on the battlefield. The first soldier to die in Afghanistan died from uncontrolled bleeding due to a small bullet to the leg.

• The University of Oregon’s Brain, Biology, and Machine Science Initiative will receive $3 million for research related to cognitive neuroscience, genetics research, and informatics.

• Oregon State University will receive $2 million for the research and development of an alternative class of portable cooling systems that use thermal energy instead of electricity. These systems will eventually be used by the military and civilians where electric power is not available or where waste heat is plentiful.

• FLIR Systems, headquartered in Portland, will receive $10 million for upgrading U.S. Marine Corps aircraft for improved navigation and flight safety.

• MacSema, Inc. will receive $6 million for the Serial Number Tracking System (SNTS) and $2 million for the Army 60th Special Operations Aviation Regiment Automatic Identification Technology Program to improve record keeping procedures. The SNTS reduces the cost of maintenance operations and increases overall readiness and reliability.

Also included in the bill is an amendment reiterating support for providing National Guard and Reserve personnel access to TRICARE, the military health program. The amendment was supported but Smith and Wyden.

The bill will now go to a conference to resolve the differences between the House and Senate bills.

###