Funding is Part of the FY 2009 Continuing Resolution
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey announced today that the full U.S. Congress and the President have approved federal funding for several defense-related projects in Southwestern Pennsylvania as contained in the Fiscal Year 2009 Continuing Resolution (HR 2638).
“I am pleased that my colleagues have recognized the valuable contribution these projects will make to our nation’s defense,” said Senator Specter. “Pennsylvania is a top competitor for defense projects that create jobs and strengthen our economy and these funds will go far in supporting the brave men and women who serve our country.”
“The projects will play an important role in strengthening our nation’s military readiness and promoting job creation in Pennsylvania,” said Senator Casey. “I am pleased that my colleagues have approved this important funding to improve Pennsylvania’s military installations and strengthen our nation’s defense.”
The continuing resolution was passed by both houses of Congress and signed into law Tuesday by President of the United States.
Funding has been approved for the following Southwestern Pennsylvania defense projects (if a House Member also requested the project, his name is indicated in parentheses):
· $5 million for Sabeus, Inc. in Armstrong County to develop low-cost fiber optic sensors for use in shallow water environments. (John Murtha)
· $3.25 million for the Combined Support Maintenance Shop in Caraopolis to design a 130,000 square foot complex that will provide a state-of-the-art work space to maintain the largest vehicles in the Army inventory, to include Stryker Brigade equipment. (John Murtha, Tim Murphy)
· $3 million for the Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative in Allegheny County for the development of technologies to help soldiers regenerate damaged or lost cells or tissue using the soldier’s own cells. (Mike Doyle)
· $2.8 million for PPG Industries in Allegheny County to develop advanced casting and coating technologies to increase aircraft canopy durability and resistance to abrasion.
· $2.4 million for Optical Systems Technology in Armstrong County to purchase and install equipment for the cost-effective domestic manufacturing of advanced night-vision lenses for US military systems. (John Murtha)
· $2.4 million for St. Francis University’s Rural Health Center of Excellence for Remote & Medically Under-Served Areas (CERMUSA) in Cambria County; CERMUSA performs applied research in telehealth, distance learning, and telerehabilitation to benefit individuals, and healthcare/educational entities in rural/remote regions. (Bill Shuster)
· $2 million for PPG Industries in Allegheny County for the development of lighter weight transparent armor for use on military vehicles.
· $2 million for Kimball Associates in Cambria County to help the Pennsylvania National Guard strengthen its ability to effectively communicate with local first responders.
· $2 million for ChemImage Corporation in Allegheny County to develop eye-safe sensors to rapidly detect the presence of chemical, biological, explosive and IED threats. Many current sensors probe a threat with a laser beam, which poses a threat to both operators and bystanders. (Mike Doyle)
· $2 million for Converteam, Inc. in Allegheny County, to expand the capacity of Navy electrical power systems. (Tim Murphy)
· $1.6 million for Plextronics in Allegheny County to provide new capabilities and technology for flexible electronics. Flexible display technology will allow soldiers to receive information in real time on robust, flexible maps and displays that can be conformed multiple ways while reducing the weight and power requirements.
· $1.6 million for II-IV, Inc. in Butler County to improve nuclear device detection and identification systems. (Phil English)
· $1.2 million for Eaton Corporation in Allegheny County to perform risk assessments of mission critical infrastructure systems.
· $1.2 million of Accipiter System in Allegheny County to develop a next generation communications system for troops in the field; the project will focus on reducing the size and weight of the system of traditional communication systems. (Jason Altmire)
· $1.2 million for Boeing SVS in Armstrong County to adapt non-lethal laser systems for ship protection missions. (Phil English)
· $1.2 million National Veterans Technology Consortium for the development of a program that will establish training centers, including one in Pittsburgh, designed to give service-disabled and other veterans information technology skills.
· $800,000 for Curtiss-Wright Corporation in Allegheny County to design, manufacture and demonstrate a full scale surface combatant ship advanced propulsion motor. (Jason Altmire)
· $800,000 for Mine Safety Appliances Company in Allegheny County to develop modular integrated hearing protection headsets and radio interface communications systems to protect soldiers from hearing loss. (Jason Altmire)
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