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, "from building warships that will transport our sailors and defend our interests on the high seas, to researching advanced composites that will make our ships stronger, to maintaining our nuclear submarine fleet, or advanced weaponry for the defense of our ground troops, these projects advance one overriding goal - to enhance the defense of our nation. "It is a testament to the quality of work and the stellar reputation of the Maine workforce that my colleagues in the Senate have joined me in supporting Maine companies to perform this important work."
Along with the following funding authorizations, Senator Collins also sustained the President's Budget request for $3.198 billion to build three DDG-51 Destroyers, two of which will be built by Bath Iron Works.
Senator Collins secured the following funding authorizations:
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 refueling will employ 800 workers at the Kittery Portsmouth Naval Shipyard over the next two years. 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.
New Engines for Block 42 F-16s of Air National Guard
$48,200,000
Maine's Pratt and Whitney plants will contribute to this significant upgrade program ensuring our National Guard pilots have the best equipment available when they go in harms way. To be compatible with active Air Force F-16s, the Air National Guard aircraft engines will be upgraded for improved performance in speed, thrust, and maneuverability.
Anti-surface Warfare Improvement Program Kits, P-3 Aircraft $39,400,000
This funding will be used by the Brunswick Naval Air Station for its Naval missions.
Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suite Technology
$36,000,000
Creative Apparel, Inc., with locations throughout Maine including those in Belmont, Harmony, Eastport, and Dover-Foxcroft, manufacture the chemical protective suits, boots, socks and gloves that ensure the men and women of the Armed Forces are protected against a chemical and biological attack.
F-15 Engine Upgrades
$25,000,000
F-15 fighters are our primary air-to-air fighters. Older F-15 aircraft will remain in the Air National Guard fleet through 2025 in multi-role missions. Much of the Air National Guard fleet operates with original engines with relatively high maintenance costs. Accelerated demands for homeland defense are further taxing the fleet. Senator Collins' request will allow Pratt and Whitney to modernize of the Air National Guard is important, as Guard units play a critical role in homeland security and national defense. Adding funds to the President's requested $25 million will accelerate active unit conversions and allow early conversion of Air National Guard F-15 improving mobility and readiness which translates into increased combat power.
Mark 47 Mod 0 Striker
$22,200,000
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, which provides a dramatic increase in lethality, will replace older MK19''s and .50 caliber weapon systems in both the Joint and Army Special Operations Commands.
DDG-51 Arleigh-Burke Class Destroyer
Modernization Program
$20,000,000
The Arleigh-Burke class destroyer is the backbone of the Navy's surface fleet. This $20 million will allow Bath Iron Works to leverage current technology and new processes to further automate the DDG-51 and its many systems. This program will increase the DDG-51''s capabilities, while reducing crew work load and crew size.
ME Army National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility, Phase II (P-230067), Bangor
$14,900,000
This Phase II of a two-phase project expands and renovates existing administrative areas to include interior and exterior lighting, fire protection, handicapped accessibility requirements, rigid and flexible paving for aircraft parking and tie down pads, hover lanes, landscaping and physical security measures.
Kiowa Warrior, OH-58D Safety Enhancement Program
$12,300,000
This program will allow General Dynamics of Saco to modify the Army's Kiowa Warrior reconnaissance helicopter increasing its range, maneuverability, mission performance, and reduce auto-rotational ground run. This will be done using "commercially off the shelf" equipment to replace older heavier components, which will enhance safety, reliability, and reduce maintenance requirements.
Integrated Composite Missile Structures
$5,000,000
Integrated composite missile structures will reduce costs and weight of missiles while significantly enhancing performance. This Fiber Materials, Inc. of Biddeford effort will demonstrate the feasibility of manufacturing a multi-functional integrated missile structures for application in advanced interceptor airframes. marine operators. This is being developed by Bath Iron Works. The project was funded through Senator Collins efforts, as funding was not included in the Administration's budget.
Laser Welding for Navy Shipbuilding
$4,100,000
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.
Diagnostic Tool for Biowarfare Disease
$4,000,000
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.
Structural Reliability of FRP Composites
$4,000,000
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.
Rapid, Sensitive Detection of Biowarfare Agents
$4,000,000
This Sensor Research and Development Corporation Project will leverage advances in materials fabrication to develop an inexpensive, sensitive, and reliable detector for biowarfare agents.
Augmented Reality (AR) Program
$3,500,000
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.
Stripping & Repainting of VLF Tower at Cutler
$3,000,000
This will expedite the removal of contaminated paint from VLF radio towers at Cutler.
Rapid Decontamination System for Nerve Agents
$1,000,000
Effective, rapid decontamination upon exposure to a chemical warfare agent is critical to the survival of the exposed individual. In light of current, real threats we must have reliable, workable, effective protocols to ensure the security of the nation and our military forces at risk. This timely University of Maine project will develop a rapid decontamination system for nerve agents with advanced capabilities: non-volatile product; non toxic, environmentally friendly solution; versatile dispersion media capability (solution, spray, powder, et.); and allow dispersion through existing chemical decontamination equipment.
Upon passage of the bill out of Committee, Senator Collins said, "I believe that we have crafted a spending plan that strengthens our military, supports our men and women in uniform, and continues our course of maintaining the best equipped, best trained fighting force in the world."