Defense Appropriations Bill Includes $30 Million to Protect Troops and Boost Oregon’s Development of Advanced Technologies

Defense Appropriations Bill Includes $30 Million to Protect Troops and Boost Oregon’s Development of Advanced Technologies

Bill Includes Funding for Oregon National Guard Reintegration Program


Washington, D.C. – Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that $30 million for Oregon projects will be heading to the floor of the U.S. Senate as part of the fiscal year 2010 Defense Department appropriations bill.  Projects in the bill include funding for the research and development of clean energy technologies, equipment to help ensure military personnel land aircraft safely in severe weather conditions, and updated data and voice communications systems.  The bill also includes funding for the Oregon National Guard Reintegration Program, which helps soldiers transition back to civilian life. 

“These research grants will create jobs in Oregon and advance important technologies to improve the safety and capability of our military personnel,” said Merkley.  “I’m thrilled to get funds that will strengthen programs to assist the men and women of our National Guard and help get their feet back on the ground when they return home.”

“In addition to supporting the creation of a nanotechnology industry for Oregon, this funding will give our National Guard and active duty servicemembers additional resources to do their jobs and safely return to civilian life when their service is over,” Wyden said.

The Defense Appropriations bill must still pass the full Senate, be merged with a companion bill from the House, and be signed by the President before it becomes law and the funds become available.

Funding for the following projects include:

ONAMI Nanoelectronics, Nanometrology and Nanobiotechnology Initative – Portland State University - $4,800,000 – Multnomah County
Funds will help advance research into biomedicine, measurement/imaging and electronics. 

ONAMI Safer Nanomaterials and Nanomanufacturing – University of Oregon  - $4,400,000 – Lane County
Funds will be used to develop safer and greener nanomaterials and nanomanufacturing methods.

Recoil UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter Wild Land Fire-Fighting Tank System - Recoil Suppression Systems, LLC - $4,000,000 – Josephine County
Funds will be used to provide a wildfire tank system for the Blackhawk helicopter to help the Army National Guard fight wildfires.

ONAMI Miniaturized Tactical Energy Systems Development – Oregon State University - $3,000,000 – Benton County
Funds will be used to develop miniaturized energy systems such as soldier power systems and advanced cooling units.

Transportable Transponder Landing System - Advanced Navigation & Positioning Corporation - $3,000,000 – Hood River County
Funds will be used to help enable all types of military aircraft to land safely in any terrain or weather conditions.

Permanent Magnet Generator – Wave Energy Buoy - Columbia Power Technologies, LLC - $2,400,000 – Benton County
Funds will be used to develop an ocean tested wave power electricity generating unit to be deployed to Navy sites.

SiC – RF Power for Airborne Avionics Systems - Microsemi Corporation – Power Products Group - $2,000,000 – Deschutes County
Funds will be used to develop critical components for data communication systems on new and upgraded Air Force platforms.

Assessment of Alternative Energy for Aircraft Ground Equipment (AGE) - Lektro, Inc. - $2,000,000 – Clatsop County
Funds will be used to assess new power technology applied to Aircraft Ground Equipment.

F-16C (ANG) Improved Voice/Data Communications - Rockwell Collins, Inc. - $2,000,000 – Clackamas County
Funds will be used to upgrade voice and data communications for military aircraft.

ARL-ONAMI Center for Nanoarchitectures for Enhanced Performance – University of Oregon - $1,000,000 – Lane County
Funds will be used to continue to build early stage technology for Army sensing, communications, portable energy storage and generation and thermal management requirements.

Reinforcement HMMWV Repair Hood Kits - Miles Fiberglass & Composites, Inc. - $1,000,000 – Clackamas County
Funds will be used to repair and reinforce High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles.

Oregon National Guard Reintegration Program - $400,000 – Statewide
Funds will be used to support the ONGR program which helps returning National Guard members transition back to civilian life.

Metals Affordability Initiative - $5,000,000 – Multi-state
Funds will be used to support the military war fighting capability while reducing life cycle cost through technology innovation.  Funds will be distributed to programs in multiple states through a competitive grant award process.

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