Kennedy, Langevin Secure $50 Million for Local Businesses in Defense Legislation

(Washington, D.C.)–Congressmen Patrick J. Kennedy and Jim Langevin announced that several Rhode Island defense firms will receive over $50 million in funding as part of the Defense Authorization Bill (H.R. 4200) passed by the House of Representatives today.  The funding is key to supporting the local defense industry, a critical component to Rhode Island’s economic development and job market.

 “Rhode Island has established an outstanding reputation in the defense industry as a leader in innovation and productivity,” said Kennedy.  “This important funding will assist our local defense firms in continuing the development of state-of-the-art technology and equipment our military requires in order to safeguard the lives of American citizens.  In addition, this funding will directly translate into jobs for Rhode Islanders.  I thank Congressman Langevin for working with me in securing this funding.”
 
 “This legislation represents Congress' firm commitment to a well-prepared military and the opportunity to provide thousands of well-paying jobs for working Rhode Islanders,” said Langevin, a member of the House Armed Services Committee.  “If we are to continue making progress in this war on terrorism, we require a strong military and robust economy.  Proper funding for equipment and troop compensation are critical to the success and safety of service men and women.  Thanks to a combined effort with Congressman Kennedy, we are able to provide Rhode Island defense manufacturers with additional resources with which to develop innovative products to strengthen our military.”

 The following local projects have received funding under the bill:

$5,000,000 for Laser Marksmanship Training Program for the Army National Guard and Army Reserve (BEAMHIT)
The Laser Marksmanship Training Program (LMTS) provides an adaptive, versatile, and environmentally sound option for reserve component members to train with their own weapons for firearm qualification.  LMTS is highly regarded among reservists in Rhode Island and throughout the nation. 
 
$10,000,000 for Virginia-Class Multi Mission Module (General Dynamics/Electric Boat)
One of the major goals of the Defense Department’s transformation efforts is to increase the flexibility of our forces so that they may adapt to new challenges.  The Virginia-Class Multi Mission Module Program (MMM) will permit Virginia-class submarines to increase payload capacity, open ocean interface flexibility, technology insertion capability, transformational capability, and adaptability to new missions.

$10,000,000 for Submarine Payload and Sensors (General Dynamics/Electric Boat)
The Submarine Payload and Sensor program (SP&S) offers enhanced mission capabilities for Virginia-class and SSGN submarines through new payload options.  This particular funding will permit submarines to launch and recover unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) from Virginia-Class and SSGNs.

$1,000,000 for Low Acoustic Signature Motor Propulsor for Electrically Powered Undersea Vehicles (General Dynamics/Electric Boat)
LAMPrEy electric propulsion system will have significant benefits for torpedoes through increased stealth and lower cost operation.  

$7,500,000 for Cobra Ball High-Resolution Elecro Optical Signature Capability (Textron)
The investment in Textron's Cobra Ball High-Resolution Electro Optical (E/O) Signature Capability will strengthen the ability of our nation's Cobra Ball reconnaissance aircraft to gather intelligence about rapidly developing hostile missile threats around the world.  It will bolster the intelligence analysis and treaty verification ability of our national agencies and provide enhanced information to our military theater commanders.

$13,500,000 for the Flexible Display Initiative
With the military services, especially the Army, becoming “display-centric,” this investment in the Flexible Display Initiative will aid the Army's rapid transformation and has a variety of applications, from command-and-control to weapons targeting to simulation and training.  These new displays, with their low-power demand and built to survive battlefield environments, will benefit many defense platforms, from helicopters to tanks to of course, the individual warrior in the field.  The DCI Acquisition Corporation in Exeter will be involved in this effort to enhance the fighting capability of our nation's military.

$3,000,000 for the Naval Sea Cadet Corps  
The U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC) helps instill the Navy's core values of honor, courage, and commitment in our young men and women.  Through close association with the Navy and Coast Guard, the cadets learn superb personal skills in an anti-drug and anti-gang environment that provides them with values that help guide them through life, enabling them to become good citizens and to understand what it means to be an American.  Many of those who participate eventually enlist or enter officer programs every year, including the Service Academies.  As a testament to the success of the program, there are over 482 ex sea cadets at the Naval Academy.

There are three sea cadet corps units in Rhode Island, consisting of 80 cadets, 14 instructors and officers, and 450 Navy League supporters in Rhode Island that sponsor the group.  Units are based in Providence, North Kingston, and Newport. 

National Perinatal Information Center
With forty percent of the care in military hospitals related to childbirth, it is essential that the Defense Department be able to access quality perinatal care across its healthcare system.  The National Perinatal Information Center provides a level of benchmarking against material and neonatal data not otherwise available to military hospitals, provides a level of analysis more comprehensive than any previous analysis done in the history of Defense Department, and offers a unique opportunity to assess the quality of obstetrical care in this time of intense operational activity.

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