(Washington, D.C.) U.S. Senators Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln, and
Congressmen Marion Berry, Vic Snyder, John Boozman and Mike Ross today
announced that millions for Arkansas defense projects passed late Thursday
as part of the Fiscal Year 2005 Department of Defense (DOD) Appropriations
Bill.
Members of the delegation said the funding will support 19 Arkansas
defense projects, including funding for new technology for the Arkansas
National Guard, research and development funding for Arkansas universities
and equipment upgrades for the Pine Bluff Arsenal.
“Arkansas’ military installations and universities are critical to our
nation’s defense and have advanced our military’s capabilities to new levels,”
Pryor said. “As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I worked hard,
along with the entire delegation, to secure this funding which I believe
will strengthen the mission of military installations throughout the state,
provide cutting edge technologies and equipment for our troops and assist
our armed services in meeting new challenges.”
"I am pleased that Arkansas will continue to play a vital role in the
defense of our nation," Lincoln said. "These funds will allow us
to meet the growing demands of fighting terrorism and protecting our troops
as the perform their duties in the Middle East and elsewhere around the
world. The spirit of cooperation that the entire delagation has shown
in securing these funds has been phenominal."
“America is at war," said Snyder. "Our fine troops will benefit from
these items.”
"Of the defense spending Arkansas earned, I am particularly proud that
ASU has been given their deserved recognition as a center for scientific
excellence," Berry said. "The two ASU programs are a prime example of what
can occur when an entire delegation works to support an organization with
an exemplary reputation. Every recognition Rural America earns is a benefit
to the entire community and this project is no different. I congratulate
ASU and thank the rest of the Arkansas Congressional Delegation for their
efforts."
"As our nation continues to fight the War on Terror, it is important
that we ensure we have the proper resources to win. Arkansas' troops,
military installations and research institutions have a lot to offer our
nation in this fight. I am pleased that as a delegation, we were
able to secure funding for these essential programs. They truly will be
beneficial in the global War on Terror and in addressing the threats of
the future," said Boozman.
"The funds secured for the Fourth Congressional District provide job
security and economic opportunities to hard working Arkansans in cities
who have already seen great job loss in the past," said Ross. "I am pleased
the Arkansas delegation was able to provide the state with necessary funding
for the enhancement of military operations at a time when defense technology
is critical to the security of our nation."
The following Arkansas projects were included in the FY 2005 Department
of Defense Appropriations Bill:
Arkansas National Guard –$13.1 million
Meteorological Measuring Set – Profiler (MMS-P): $2.6 million was secured
to support the procurement of a next generation artillery meteorological
system – the profiler – for the Arkansas Guard. The funding will be split
with the South Dakota National Guard.
M-22 Automatic Chemical Agent Alarm: $10.5 million was secured to procure
M-22 Automatic Chemical Agent Alarms (ADCSA). The equipment
is necessary for the Guard to carry out Homeland Security missions. The
funding will be divided among several Guard units.
University of Arkansas - $5 million
Ferroelectric and electronic-photonic nanodevices: $2 million was secured
to continue the University of Arkansas’ research and development work in
the field of ferroelectric and electronic-photonic nanodevices. Nanotechnology
is a newly emerging field of science where scientists and engineers are
beginning to manipulate matter at the molecular and atomic level in order
to develop materials and systems with revolutionary properties. U of A
will use this funding to support the Army’s efforts to develop electronics
capability that provide them with supremacy on the digital battlefield.
The Logistics Institute: $1 million was secured to continue the support
of the Air Force’s Crew Systems and Personnel Protection Program. The Institute
is developing new technologies to enhance logistics and improve design,
deployability, performance and support of current and future weapons systems.
Three-Dimensional Packaging: $2 million was secured for the Three-Dimensional
packaging program, a consortium research effort between the University
of Arkansas, the International Technology Center, North Carolina State
University, and Florida A&M University. This is a second-year
program working on 3-D microcircuit packages to help the military lower
the size and weight and improve thermal and electrical performance of radio
communications equipment.
Visions Technology, Rogers, AR - $2 million
Machinery Control Surveillance System: $2 million was secured for the
procurement of a machinery control surveillance system for use aboard gas
turbine ships. Vision Technology will help build the surveillance
system, creating local jobs and supporting the Navy’s mission.
Space Photonics, Fayetteville, AR - $3 million
Space Communication Technology: $3 million was secured to help the Air
Force further develop space communications capability. Space Photonics
in Fayetteville has demonstrated an edge for developing technologies that
are a priority for the Air Force.
Highland Park, Camden, AR – $17.5 million
Standard Missile: $5 million was secured for essential upgrades of Standard
Missiles. The funding will help incorporate the latest technology by Aerojet
to prevent weapon systems from reacting to unplanned stimuli such as shipboard
fire or attack.
Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS): $12.75 million in addition
to the President’s request was secured for Lockheed Martin to maintain
engineering talent and manufacturing expertise, and to increase the acquisition
and production rate of the system in a timely and efficient manner.
Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR – $12 million
Smart Technologies: $10.5 million was secured to invest in smart technologies,
called Standoff Sensor for Radionuclide ID, to detect nuclear, chemical
and biological weapons. Chemical and biological weapons are most likely
to be used by terrorists and that early detection helps protect our troops.
The funding will be shared among the University of Hawaii and Florida A&M
University.
Standoff Hazardous Agent Detection and Evaluation System Research (SHADES):
$1.5 million in conjunction with industry to continue research for early
detection of weapons before chemical or biological threats can hurt troops
or citizens.
Pine Bluff Arsenal, Pine Bluff, AR –$11.62 million
$1.87 million was secured for Pine Bluff Arsenal to modernize and automate
their data processing equipment, including Pine Bluff. The equipment will
track the Army’s manufacturing and distribution of supplies made in Pine
Bluff such as chemical and biological protection equipment.
The following additional funding was also secured in the bill:
$3 million for 81mm, all types of nomenclature ammunition
$1 million for biological and chemical protection masks;
$3.75 million for Illumination Mortars;
$1 million for M110 155mm Smoke Projectile
$1 million for M49 fixed installation filters for contamination avoidance
equipment
EADS, Russellville, AR -- $5.3 million
Future Medical Shelter System: $5.3 million to develop the EADS prototype
for medical shelters, including deployable operating rooms that will have
decreased size and weight and increased capability. These new shelters
will result in a lighter, more mobile and deployable medical force. The
funding encourages the Army to continue to focus on the EADS prototype
that will hopefully be developed in Russellville.
Vanadium Technology Partnership, Hot Springs, AR -- $3 million
Vanadium Technology Partnership: $3 million to for Vanadium Corporation
to apply high-performance steels in U.S. Army applications.
Lone Star Army Depot, TX – $1 million
Base Transformation: $1 million was secured to support the transformation
of Lone Star into a flexible installation that can support rapid deployment
of cargo munitions to the field.
Red River Depot, Texas -- $4.2 million
Army Ground Systems Integrated Lean Enterprise (AGILE): $4.2 million
to support the Army’s Logistics Modernization Program goals through enhanced
automation.
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