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| Wilson Secures Funding for New Mexico Defense Projects |
October 10, 2002 |
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| Washington, DC - Congresswoman Heather Wilson, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, announced today that she has secured funding for important projects in New Mexico in the Defense Appropriations bill. The bill has been approved by a joint House-Senate Conference Committee and is expected to come to a vote in the House today.
"New Mexico is a leader in research and technology for the military, and Albuquerque is on the road to being a center of excellence for future defense needs, such as directed energy," said Wilson. "Funding these important projects will improve our defense capabilities and keep defense-related research and development in New Mexico strong."
The programs in the bill for which Wilson specifically requested funding are:
$45.31 million Directed Energy Joint Technology Office (JTO): The Directed Energy Joint Technology Office was an initiative launched by Wilson and Senator Pete Domenici in 1998 to provide a single office to allocate funds for DOD research and development related to high energy lasers. The office is located in Albuquerque. The JTO will create 6 new direct jobs and funds numerous R&D; projects in private companies.
$8.478 million for Theater Air Command and Control Simulation Facility TACCSF: TACCSF, located at Kirtland AFB, provides state-of-the-art simulations of several Air Force and Army sensors and weapon systems. Using this unique tool, a controller in Oklahoma, an F-16 pilot in New Mexico and a General in Florida can participate in a large-scale air-warfare exercise without ever leaving the ground. TACCSF is the only facility in the Air Force that can train, test, analyze and refine tactics, techniques and procedures in a fully integrated, real-time environment.
$3.5 million for the Big Crow program: The Big Crow program is a multi-function, program used DOD Tri-Services, and Coalition Allies NATO and NORAD that provides: Electronic Warfare (EW) environments in support of Developmental Tests, Operational Tests, Training and Operational Contingencies (Operation Noble Anvil and Enduring Freedom); both ground and airborne instrumented radar in support of Tests and Evaluation; telemetry receive, retransmit and mass storage in support of Test and Evaluation, and threat radar simulation in support of Training. Elements of Big Crow include two highly modified large scale, world wide deployable NKC-135 aircraft capable of “blue water operations” and ten mobile tactical ground vehicles.
$2 million for SEAtreat: SEAtreat is a minimally invasive cervical pre-cancer and cancer screening and treatment technology that has the potential to dramatically reduce the pain and suffering associated with conventional methods, reduce costs and improve the overall level of effectiveness. A process which accomplishes screening, diagnosis and treatment in a single clinic visit would reduce these problems significantly, as well as increase the availability of this service for both female soldiers and dependents. This program employs eight people.
$1.5 million for the Solid State Heat Capacity Laser (SSHCL) weapon system: There is an urgent need for an integrated air and missile defense system, such as a highly mobile laser weapon system, to neutralize threats such as attacks from cruise missiles, precision guided munitions, rockets artillery and mortars. The Army has established a laser technology program that would enable an effective Solid State Heat Capacity Laser (SSHCL) weapon to be mounted on a combat vehicle and powered by the onboard electric power system. This program was awarded to Decade Optical Systems Inc. in Albuquerque and employs 23 people.
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