U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, is pleased to announce that the Senate and House of Representatives conferees have reached agreement on the Fiscal Year 2008 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes key provisions authored by Senator Collins for Bath Iron Works, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, the University of Maine, Saco Defense, Pratt & Whitney, and other Maine companies. Senator Collins was a Senate conferee on this legislation, the conference report of which is now awaiting final passage by the House of Representatives and the Senate.
“This legislation contains a variety of crucial provisions that will provide critical force protection to our men and women in uniform, ensure the long-term viability of our Armed Forces by increasing the end-strength of the Army and Marine Corps, restore our military’s readiness, and continue the development of technologies to counter existing and emerging threats. It also includes key shipbuilding provisions that are important to the Navy and our overall national security,” said Senator Collins. “In addition, the conferees have again recognized the valuable contributions of Maine companies to our national security by funding important defense programs in our state.”
At Senator Collins’ request, the conference report ensures a continued and steady workload at Bath Iron Works by authorizing $2.9 billion for the second (and final) fiscal year of funding for construction of the dual-lead DDG-1000 Zumwalt class destroyers.
The conference report also includes the Dignified Treatment of Wounded Warrior Act to facilitate and enhance the care, rehabilitation, and physical evaluation of wounded service members, as well as to improve the transition from the Department of Defense health care system to that of the VA and from military service to civilian life. Senator Collins is an original cosponsor of this legislation, which includes provisions that she authored with Senator Clinton to improve the detection, assessment, and treatment of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) among wounded service members and to expand support for the victims of TBI and their families. The conference report also increases leave under the Family Medical Leave Act for caregivers of seriously injured service members from 12 to 26 weeks.
This legislation also includes a provision that Senator Collins sponsored to enhance educational assistance benefits for members of the Reserves and National Guard by extending their eligibility to use educational benefits under the Reserve Education Assistance Program for 10 years after their separation.
The conferees also authorized a 3.5 percent across-the-board pay increase for service members, 0.5 percent above the President’s budget request, and again prohibited any increases in TRICARE fees for military retirees and reservists. Furthermore, the conference report included a provision to reduce below 60 the age at which a member of the reserve component may draw retirement pay by three months for every aggregate 90 days of service on active-duty under certain mobilization authorities.
In addition, the conference report includes a provision requiring private security contractors operating in Iraq and Afghanistan to comply with Department of Defense regulations and rules on the use of force, as well as orders and directives from combatant commanders regarding force protection, security, health, safety, and interaction with local nationals. The legislation will also establish a Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan to study and investigate federal agency contracting for reconstruction, logistics support, and security functions in those countries and make recommendations as to how contracting processes could be improved in the future.
The conferees provided an additional $17 billion to meet all known Department of Defense requirements for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, which will further protect service members from improvised explosive devices (IED) in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In addition, highlights of the conference report include:
- $6.1 billion for continued development of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). Pratt & Whitney builds the F135 engine for the JSF with partial work performed at the Pratt & Whitney North Berwick facility.
- $2.28 billion for eight additional C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, the engines of which are built by Pratt & Whitney with partial work performed at the Pratt & Whitney North Berwick facility.
- $32.3 million for M2HB .50 Caliber Machine Guns and $36.4 million for MK19 MOD 3 40mm Grenade Launchers, both of which are manufactured at Saco Defense in Saco.
- $9.7 million for construction of a Consolidated Emergency Control Center at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.
- $3 million for the Maine Army National Guard to field the Integrated Disaster Management System, developed by Global Relief Technologies in Kennebunk and Portsmouth, in support of critical medevac operations in Iraq. This system provides near real-time data management and analysis to and from field operators via hand-held devices.
- $5.9 million for the Defense Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, which benefits the University of Maine.
- $4 million for the production and demonstration of lightweight modular ballistic tent insert panels designed by the University of Maine’s Army Center of Excellence in Orono. The panels provide crucial protection to service members in temporary dining and housing facilities in mobile forward operating bases in Iraq and Afghanistan.
- $2.4 million to complete development of a prototype “Smart Valve,” which Portland Valve, LLC in South Portland has designed to replace bleed air regulating, control, and relief valves on naval ships.
- $1.6 million to weaponize the Ripsaw Unmanned Ground Vehicle platform designed by Howe & Howe Technologies, Inc. in North Berwick.
- $1.6 million to continue development of a chemical and biological infrared detection system designed by Orono Spectral Solutions in Orono.
- $1 million to adapt composite technologies developed by Maine Marine Manufacturing in Portland, the University of Maine in Orono, and Hodgdon Yachts in East Boothbay in the Mark V replacement patrol boat program to meet the U.S. Special Operations Command’s requirement for a high-speed Medium-Range Endurance Craft.
- $800,000 for the Asymmetric Warfare Initiative, which will enhance the State of Maine’s coordination and response capabilities to catastrophic events through a complex, scenario-based exercise involving the Maine Emergency Management Agency in Augusta.
- $800,000 to adapt Small Craft Integrated Common Operational Picture technology, developed by Technology Systems, Inc. in Brunswick, to enhance situational awareness on Department of Defense high-speed small craft.
- $800,000 to complete the miniaturization and systemization of semiconducting metal oxide based sensors, which are being developed by the Sensor Research and Development Corporation in Orono.
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