KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
U.S. Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-Santa Clarita) praised last night’s passage of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2006, which contained millions of dollars in Pentagon projects for the 25th Congressional District. The bill passed the House by a vote of 398 to 19.
“By approving this funding for the 25th Congressional District, the
House of Representatives reaffirmed their investment into the strength and
security of our nation,” said Rep. McKeon. “These valuable projects are
critical to the ongoing War on Terror, and will help provide our troops with
the tools they need to spread freedom around the world. I am pleased with
the passage of this legislation, and look forward to closely monitoring it
as it makes its way through the legislative process.”
The Senate is currently developing its own version of defense
funding legislation. After the Senate approves a bill, negotiators from the
two houses will meet to craft a final version of the bill. After the final
version is passed by both houses of Congress, the bill then will head to
President Bush for his signature.
Summary of projects funded for Edwards AFB, Naval Air Warfare
Center, Weapons Division at
Santa Clarita:
* Combat Vehicle Electronic for Current and Future Systems – $4
million for research and Development to make electronic and technological
upgrades to heavy armored vehicles.
* Towed Array – $1 million for research and development for the TB-23
Towed Array to enhance submarine forces ability to conduct anti-submarine
warfare missions in the congested environment of shallow waters.
* UAVs – $2 million for research and development for a guided
dispenser system for UAVs.
Adelanto:
* Alternative Mobility Vehicle – $2 million for Research and
Development to develop light-duty off-road alternative mobility vehicles
with hybrid electric fuel cells, designed for Special Operations Forces.
* Mobile Hydrogen Infrastructure – $2 million for research and
development to deploy multiple Mobile Hydrogen Infrastructure (MHI) systems
that will provide the hydrogen refueling infrastructure to implement
fuel-efficient fuel cell technology in the U.S. Army.
* Army IGNAT UAV – $3 million
Edwards AFB/Air Force Research Laboratory:
* Cluster Computing – $2 million to provide personal computer-based
cluster systems for flight test programs.
* Advanced Vehicle Propulsion Technology – $5 million continues work
to develop propulsion and power technologies for simulation tools.
* Engineering Technology Improvement Program – $5 million in funding
for modeling tools.
* Upper Stage Engine Technology – $2 million to continue important
work on liquid oxygen/hydrogen simulation for upper stage engines; the
years.
* Solid Boost Propulsion Technology – $3 million to restore a funding
cut.
* Low-cost Terminal Imaging Seeker – $4 million fun
ding for research
and development of a guidance system for small rockets used on helicopters.
* Spike Missile Development and Production – $3 million for continued
flight testing of the missile.
* Laser Radar – $1 million to continue work on a program to add
capabilities to the Tactical Tomahawk being developed at
Plant 42 and the
* B-2 Modernization – $20 million for electronics, satellite
communications and sensor upgrades.
* Naval Sea Cadet Corps program – $300,000 for a program focused upon
development of young men and women ages 11-17. The program promotes
interest and skill in seamanship and aviation. The program also teaches
moral character and anti-drug and anti-gang attitudes. The Corps has a unit
located in
Other Key Provisions
* Includes $45.3 billion for military operations in
* Includes $5 billion for Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) research and
development. Test and evaluation of the JSF, slated to begin in 2006, will
primarily be performed at Edwards AFB.
* Includes procurement funding of $3.2 billion for 25 additional
F/A-22 aircraft.
* Increases military pay by 3.1 percent; pay has increased 25 percent
since 2001.
