$34.8 million in federal funding for region will create jobs, benefit U.S. military
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey announced today that Congress has approved federal funding for several defense-related projects in Southeast Pennsylvania. This funding is contained in the Fiscal Year 2010 Defense Appropriations Act, a bill which provides funding for our men and women in uniform, and also extends unemployment and health insurance benefits for unemployed workers.
“These projects will make valuable contributions to our nation’s defense and economy,” 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.”
“These projects will encourage job creation and bolster our nation’s security,” said Senator Casey. “I am pleased the Congress has approved this important funding, which will promote economic growth in Pennsylvania, ensure that our servicemembers have state-of-the-art equipment and protection and strengthen our nation’s defense.”
The Senate voted to pass the bill Saturday morning 88-10; the President signed it into law the same day.
Funding has been approved for the following defense projects in SEPA:
*If a Member of Congress also supported a project, his/her name listed
• $5 million for Piasecki Aircraft in Delaware County to continue the development and testing of the Vectored Thrust Ducted Propeller helicopter technology, which has the potential to increase the craft’s speed, range and survivability. (Specter, Casey)
• $3.2 million for Rajant Corporation in Chester County to enhance the capabilities of a self-configuring wireless broadband communication system that can rapidly reconfigure and adapt in real-time. (Specter, Casey, Gerlach, Sestak)
• $3.2 million for Analytical Graphics in Chester County to utilize commercial technology to improve the integration of more capable, less-costly commercial-off-the-shelf space situational awareness capabilities. (Specter, Gerlach)
• $2.4 million for MaxPower in Montgomery County to develop a high energy density ceramic-based lithium air battery to reduce the number of batteries that the warfighter has to carry. (Specter, Casey, Schwartz)
• $2.4 million for MCA Solutions in Philadelphia to implement software to improve the Navy’s logistical readiness. (Specter)
• $2.4 million for Power and Energy in Bucks County to analyze, design and create a scaled up fuel processor that the Navy then can use and test. (Casey-Patrick Murphy)
• $2.4 million for Cerus Corporation to work with the University of Pennsylvania to develop a prototype red cell processing device to inactivate transfusion-transmitted infectious pathogens in blood prepared for transfusion of wounded military personnel. (Specter, Gerlach, Fattah)
• $2.4 million for V Systems Composites in Delaware County to develop lightweight composite rotorcraft drive system components. (Specter, Casey, Brady)
• $2.4 million for Enersys Advanced Systems in Montgomery County to develop improved thermal batteries for guided munitions. (Specter, Schwartz)
• $2.4 million for Bally Ribbon Mills in Berks County to develop 3-dimensional woven preforms to replace conventional 2-dimensional joints. The technology developed in this project will enhance the performance, while lowering the cost and weight of structures aboard aircraft. (Specter, Schwartz, Gerlach, Sestak)
• $2 million for CHI Systems, Inc. in Montgomery County to develop a training device to allow combat medics to practice tourniquet application to the arm and leg and needle chest decompression techniques. (Specter, Casey, Schwartz)
• $1.6 million for Arkema, Inc. in Montgomery County to develop breathable chemical/biological protection for military personnel. Protective clothing represents a first line of defense to protect an individual at risk of exposure. (Specter, Casey, Gerlach, Sestak)
• $1.2 million for Villanova University in Delaware County to develop radio frequency technology for sensor, real-time analysis and visualization of evolving situations. (Casey-Sestak)
• $1 million for Morphotek, Inc. in Chester County to develop medicine to treat staphylococcus-derived bioweapons. (Specter, Sestak)
• $800,000 for Y-Carbon, Inc. in Montgomery County to develop an advanced treatment of sepsis, which would reduce battlefield complications from blood loss and improve survivability. (Specter, Sestak)
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