"The funds secured that affect people in the Fourth Congressional District provide job security and economic opportunities to hard working Arkansans," said Ross.  "I am pleased to have been able to help secure necessary funding for the enhancement of military operations at a time when defense technology is critical to the security of our nation and keeping our men and women in uniform safe." 

The following projects were included in the FY 2006 Department of Defense Appropriations Bill and will affect the defense industry in Arkansas: 

$126.565 million – 155mm M110 White Phosphorous Smoke and 155mm Illuminating M485 
This funding, $2 million more than was offered in the President’s Budget, will provide for 155mm M110 White Phosphorous Smoke and 155mm Illuminating M485 which are widely used in Operation Iraqi Freedom.  The Pine Bluff Arsenal in Pine Bluff is the only military installation in the country that produces these final products. 

$146.8 million - High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) 
The government allocated $146.8 million to be spent on High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, providing for an additional 480 rockets.  HIMARS with GMLRS rocket munitions provides the USMC transformational precision deep fires for both traditional and irregular operations, with 24 hour, all weather long range precision strike capability.  HIMARS are produced by government contractors at Highland Industrial Park in East Camden.   

$382.849 million - Tactical Tomahawk Procurement 
This funding, $29.449 million more than was offered in the President’s Budget, will provide for Tomahawk Block IV to incorporate innovative technologies to provide new operational capabilities while dramatically reducing acquisition, operation and support costs compared to Tomahawk Block III.  Tomahawk Missiles are produced by government contractors at Highland Industrial Park in East Camden.

$99.8 million - Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) 
The United States Navy, along with the navies of nine other NATO nations, will employ ESSM to defend against low-flying, fast and maneuvering threats to ships.  ESSM are produced by government contractors at Highland Industrial Park in East Camden.

$156.9 million - Rocket, HYDRA-70, All types 
The system is an effective area suppression weapon which has seen use most recently in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom.  HYDRA rockets are produced by government contractors at Highland Industrial Park in East Camden.

$489.7 million - Patriot, Missile Procurement, Army (MIPA) 
MIPA is an advanced surface to air guided missile system with a high single shot kill probability capable of operation in the presence of electronic countermeasures and able to conduct multiple simultaneous engagements against high performance air breathing missiles.  Patriot Missiles are produced by government contractors at Highland Industrial Park in East Camden.

$53.1 million - M67 Hand Grenade, Fragmentation
M67 Hand Grenades are produced by government contractors at Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant near Texarkana. 


The Senate must now pass their version of the bill.  Once the final conference committee bill is passed, the President must sign it into law before this project is final.