Senator Collins was successful in securing funding for many projects that are key to our national defense and to Maine workers who perform defense-related work. "The projects that I have fought for are of immeasurable value to our national defense and security," said Senator Collins." "It is a testament to the quality of work and the stellar reputation of the Maine workforce that appropriators in both the House and the Senate have joined me in supporting Maine companies to perform this important work."
Along with the following funding authorizations, Senator Collins also secured $3.218 billion - an increase of $20 million over the President's budget - to build three DDG-51 Destroyers, two of which will be built by Bath Iron Works, and a request for $168,000,000 to build a Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). The LCS will be a fast and maneuverable vessel that will operate in areas close to shore. It will perform a variety of missions to deal with threats posed by mines, submarines, and other surface vessels. The development of LCS has been a top priority for the Navy, and the first ship is scheduled to be delivered in 2007. Senator Collins announced the following appropriations: Portsmouth Naval Shipyard/Kittery USS Jacksonville Refueling $248,000,000
Senator Collins requested the refueling of the Jacksonville by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery to maintain the near-term submarine force structure above 55 vessels and optimize the life span of the submarine to meet future commitments. The SSN 699 (Jacksonville) buyback is a requirement the Navy identified as a critical unfunded priority. Reducing force structure further would aggravate operational tempo stretching Navy resources at a time when the United States needs optimum forward presence. Besides being critical to mission needs this work will help sustain our national defense industrial base. This funding will stabilize the workload at PNS as BRAC ‘05 approaches.
General Dynamics/Saco Mark 47 Mod 0 Striker $18,000,000 General Dynamics in Saco manufactures these advanced crew- served weapons systems, which are a priority for the United States Special Operations Command. The Mark 47 Striker will replace older MK19''s and .50 caliber weapon systems in both the Joint and Army Special Operations Commands.
General Dynamics/Saco Kiowa Warrior, OH-58D Safety Enhancement Program $4,200,000
This program will allow General Dynamics of Saco to modify the Army's Kiowa Warrior reconnaissance helicopter increasing its range, maneuverability, mission performance. This will be done using "commercially off the shelf" equipment to replace older heavier components, which will enhance safety, reliability, and reduce maintenance requirements.
Technology Systems, Inc./Wiscasset, ATS/Sanford Laser Welding for Navy Shipbuilding $3,500,000 The Laser Welding and Cutting program was initiated in FY 01 by Congress to support potential cost and weight savings and to enable creative designs and shapes to be fabricated. This laser welding program promises to demonstrate advances in technology to significantly reduce total ship construction cost and improve ship performance. Two Maine companies - Technology Systems, Incorporated of Wiscasset and Applied Thermal Sciences, Inc. of Sanford - are researching this technology.
Sensor Research and Development/Orono Diagnostic Tool for Biowarfare Disease $2,000,000 This Sensor Research and Development (SRD) Corporation Project will develop a mass spectrometric-based instrumental diagnostic tool capable of early, sensitive, and agent-specific detection of infectious disease. The instrument will be designed to be operated in a clinic, field hospital, or sickbay environment by trained, but not highly specialized, personnel.
ATS/Sanford, University of Maine/Orono Structural Reliability of FRP Composites $2,000,000
This University of Maine and Applied Thermal Sciences, Inc., project will explore Advanced Fiber-Reinforced-Polymer (FRP) composites, which used in naval ship construction show promise to dramatically reduce electronic and acoustic signatures and significantly reduce total cost. It will develop specialized structural reliability analysis and design models suitable for FRP ship panels; develop statistical property models; and build strategic infrastructure capability at the University of Maine to contribute to the continued advancement of FRP composites in US Navy ship applications.
Sensor Research and Development/Orono Rapid, Sensitive Detection of Biowarfare Agents $1,500,000 This Sensor Research and Development Corporation Project will leverage advances in materials fabrication to develop an inexpensive, sensitive, and reliable detector for biowarfare agents.
Technology Systems, Inc./Wiscasset, Augmented Reality (AR) Program $1,250,000
Augmented Reality is a visualization technique in which computer generated graphics are superimposed over one's view of the real world. Augmented reality is maturing to a point where transition into practical application is merited. Wiscasset's Technology Systems, Inc. will help improve safety in maritime operations involving mine warfare and amphibious assault; increase operational capabilities and higher operational tempos for Naval operations; improve port security; and significantly reduce costs to provide maritime aids to navigation.