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Wyden, Smith Securing Funds
for Oregon Defense Projects
Oregon nanotechnology efforts receive
Appropriations Committee funding approval;
other funded programs include a variety of defense-related projects
throughout the state
September 29, 2005
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators
Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) today announced that
the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved at least $109
million in funding for defense-related projects in Oregon, including
significant funding for a number of Oregon nanotechnology projects.
These funds are now included in the FY2006 Defense spending bill,
which must now be approved by the full Senate.
“Oregon is a leader in using
new technologies like nanotech for the benefit of the U.S. defense
community,” said Wyden. “The funds included in this
legislation will support many new and ongoing projects both to
enhance our national defense and to boost Oregon’s economy.”
“Oregon businesses have made
significant strides toward a greater role in American defense,”
said Smith. “Forged with cutting edge innovation, Oregon’s
contribution to national security has been validated with this
new investment.”
The projects that would receive
funding are as follows:
• The Oregon Nanoscience and
Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI) would receive $5 million for
the Nanoelectronics and Nanometrology Initiative.
• ONAMI would also receive
$3.5 million for the safer nanomaterials and nanomanufacturing
program.
• ONAMI would also receive
$3 million for the development of miniature tactical energy systems.
• Oregon Health and Science
University would receive $3 million for its Nanotechnology and
Health Care center to boost nanotech research efforts across a
variety of disciplines.
• Freightliner, based in Portland,
would share in $12 million to continue its program of replacing
M915 linehaul tractors.
• AVI BioPharma in Portland
and Corvallis would receive $6 million for the development of
technology to test for and find therapeutic agents for the Dengue
Virus. The company would also receive $6 million for the development
of technology to test for and find therapeutic agents for the
Ebola Virus, $6 million for the development of technology to test
for and find therapeutic agents for the Marburg Virus, as well
as $4 million for the development of technology to test for and
find therapeutic agents for the Anthrax and Ricin toxins.
• Advanced Navigation and
Positioning Corporation of Hood River would receive $7.5 million
for Transportable Transponder Landing Systems to improve the safety,
accuracy and reliability of Air Force and Navy operations.
• The Metals Affordability
Initiative Consortium would receive $7 million for research, testing
and development of technologies to improve military war fighting
capabilities through advanced metallurgy, while increasing the
cost-effectiveness of such technologies.
• HemCon of Tigard would receive
$5 million for the further development of the chitosan hemorrhage
control dressing.
• The American Blimp Advanced
Airship Flying Laboratory would receive $5 million for continued
research and development projects.
• Oregon Iron Works would
receive $5 million for the continued development of the Unmanned
Force Augmentation System program.
• Blacktoe Corporation would
receive $4 million for the research and development of a portable,
finger-mounted ultrasound probe that uses Doppler and imaging
technology to be used by Army medical personnel in the field.
• FLIR Systems, based in Portland,
would also receive $12 million to improve the thermal imaging
systems on its UH-60 MEDEVAC aircraft. The improved imaging capabilities
will permit aircrews to more effectively detect and identify targets
and areas of interest, significantly improve flight safety and
provide critical intelligence for aircrew and civil support personnel.
FLIR Systems would also receive $4 million to upgrade the navigation
thermal imaging systems in the Marine Corps’ fleet of UH-1N
“Huey” helicopters.
• Oregon Aero would receive
$2.5 million for BLSS Kit retrofit systems, which enhance helmet
ballistic protection, comfort, buoyancy, stability and inter-operability
with other systems and equipment.
• InSport would receive $2
million for the development of cold weather clothing and equipment
for Marine Corps expeditionary forces personnel.
• The University of Oregon’s
Brain, Biology and Machine Science Initiative would receive $2
million for interdisciplinary research related to cognitive neuroscience,
genetics research, and informatics.
• The Rockwell Collins facility
in Portland would receive $2 million to install the Global Air
Traffic Management system in Air Force KC-135s.
• Armor Systems International
would receive $1.5 million for the design and development of a
Rocket Propelled Grenade Vehicle Protection system.
• Digimarc of Beaverton would
receive $1 million for the research and development of a real-time
geospatial video sensor, allowing the information collected to
be directly available for instant retrieval on the battlefield.
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