SHAHEEN AND GREGG ANNOUNCE $64 MILLION FOR NH INITIATIVES
WASHINGTON- U.S. Senators Judd Gregg (R-NH) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) today announced that the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved the Fiscal Year 2010 Defense Appropriations bill. The measure includes $64 million for programs being undertaken by New Hampshire companies. The bill is now ready for consideration by the full Senate. The funding is included within the Committee allocation set out for the Fiscal Year 2010 spending measures. A breakdown of the projects is listed below.
The bill appropriates $636.6 billion for Department of Defense functions, including $128.2 billion for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The bill fully funds the Army's request to grow its end strength by 22,000 troops, provides pay, allowances, and training for mobilized Reservists and Guardsmen, and includes $1.5 billion for the National Guard and Reserve equipment and $28.3 billion for defense health programs.
Senator Judd Gregg, a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, stated, "Companies throughout New Hampshire continue to answer the call of the Armed Forces to develop cutting-edge technology for critical military needs, ensuring that our brave soldiers have the products required to accomplish their missions safely and effectively. New Hampshire companies are making significant contributions to our national security, and I am pleased to support their hard work and innovation. Overall, this important legislation provides crucial support to the men and women of the Armed Forces who put their lives on the line every day to protect our country. In addition to the pay and benefits they deserve, it is our responsibility in Congress to arm the troops with the most innovative technology and advanced tools."
Senator Jeanne Shaheen said, "New Hampshire companies play a key role in protecting our men and women in uniform, and provide them the equipment and technology needed to defend our nation at home and around the world. This additional funding will continue the good work already underway, and will allow New Hampshire companies to develop new, innovative technology that will help keep our nation secure."
Albany Engineered Composites, Rochester - $2 million to test a more robust structural material for helicopters and other weapons systems, which has the potential to reduce high maintenance costs and mitigate safety issues associated with the current material.
Axsys Technologies, Nashua - $3 million for the development of higher resolution sensors for improved surveillance and protection capabilities for our military ships at sea.
BAE Systems, Nashua - $12 million for the development of countermeasure equipment, an aircraft survivability system, high speed digital imaging technology, and intelligence gathering equipment.
DRS Codem, Merrimack - $4 million to complete the development of processor technology that will help counter the threat posed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Federal Technology Group, Salem - $2 million to complete the development of an alternative matting technology for light weight temporary airfields that will reduce the time and manpower necessary to establish necessary military airfields in rugged environments like Afghanistan.
Global Relief Technologies (GRT), Portsmouth - $2.5 million to test and adapt cutting-edge data management technology beyond successful humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations to other military missions.
Insight Technology Inc., Londonderry - $5 million to provide state-of-the-art night vision equipment and enhanced targeting capabilities to U.S. Special Forces.
Kollsman, Inc., Merrimack - $3 million to enhance thermal imaging technologies available to Marines in Afghanistan, which will improve detection capabilities in severe conditions and help protect forward operating bases.
Mentis Sciences, Manchester - $4 million for the development and testing of a state-of-the-art structural enclosure to protect radar antenna for missile defense interceptors.
Nanocomp Technologies, Concord - $3 million to establish a full-scale manufacturing production facility for high-performance, carbon nanotube materials, which will allow for increased electrical conductivity that will improve electronic systems for the military.
New Hampshire National Guard, Concord - $4 million to support a full cycle deployment support program to assist National Guardsmen, Reservists and their families.
Optical Alchemy, Inc., Nashua - $2.3 million for development of an advanced sensor that will improve the targeting capabilities of soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Polartec, LLC (Malden Mills), Lawrence, MA and Hudson, NH- $8 million to provide advanced insulation clothing for Navy and Marine Corps aircrew.
Transparent Language, Inc., Nashua - $2 million to develop courses and technology for the rapid language training of military intelligence personnel in critical languages.
University of New Hampshire, Durham - $2 million to establish a fully functional space satellite testing and development facility at the UNH Space Science Center, which will enable the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army to continue development of small satellite platforms.
Wilcox Industries Corp., Newington - $5.2 million to provide critical equipment to enhance the intelligence gathering capabilities of Navy SEALs.
