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Levin, Stabenow Announce Michigan Projects Included in Defense Appropriations Bill
Sep 11, 2009 (Congressional Documents and Publications/ContentWorks via COMTEX) --
WASHINGTON--Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., announced funding for several Michigan projects in the Defense Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2010. This bill was passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday and will now be sent to the full Senate for consideration.
"Michigan's workers and manufacturing sector have long supplied critical technology to our armed forces, and with these projects we will certainly remain a leader in this area," Levin said. "As chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee I see firsthand what our troops need and how these projects support their mission. I look forward to passing this bill in the Senate and sending it to the president."
"Michigan continues to be a leader in defense technology, research and manufacturing and provides critical support for our troops overseas," said Stabenow. "Our industries and workers have always been an important part of our national defense, and this funding will expand those capabilities while creating new jobs across our state. I will continue to work with my colleagues to make sure this funding is approved."
The bill still must be approved by the full Senate and a House-Senate conference committee before given final approval by Congress and being sent to President Obama for his signature.
A significant amount of this funding will be used by the Warren, Mich.-based Army Tank and Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) and its National Automotive Center. TARDEC is the Department of Defense's (DoD) leading laboratory for research and development of advanced military vehicle technologies. This will include more than $250 million for Army research on combat vehicle and automotive technologies. This includes work on systems to protect Army vehicles against rocket propelled grenades, improvised explosive devices and explosively formed projectiles; advanced materials for combat and tactical vehicle armor; more efficient engines; fuel cell and hybrid electric vehicles; unmanned ground vehicles; computer simulations for vehicle design and training of Army personnel; and technology partnerships with the automotive industry.
The bill also includes funding for the programs of the Army's TACOM Life Cycle Management Command (LCMC) in Warren. TACOM LCMC is the Army's lead organization for the development and acquisition of ground vehicle combat, automotive and armaments technologies and systems. TACOM LCMC-managed systems include the Abrams main battle tank, Bradley Fighting Vehicle, Stryker Armored Vehicle, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle, and all Army tactical vehicles, such as the HMMWV and Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles.
Robotics
$12 million for the Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) Initiative at TARDEC. This funding will be used to integrate and demonstrate sensor technologies, robotic vision hardware and software, and robotic control technologies that are required to enable UGV systems to maneuver with minimal human intervention, for on-and off road missions while at operational speeds.
Manufacturing Research and Development
$40 million for national defense related manufacturing research and development initiatives. This funding includes: $30 million for an Industrial Base Innovation Fund, which would help support DoD's ability to address specific shortfalls in the defense industrial base to meet short term surge manufacturing requirements and $10 million for development of defense technology-specific strategies and development plans, computer and network based manufacturing processes, manufacturing test beds, and incentives for manufacturing innovations. These programs were initiated in fiscal year 2008.
Energy Research and Development
$50 million for domestic lithium ion battery production. These funds will be used for a competitive program to develop domestic industrial sources of advanced battery technologies for use in military applications. Lithium ion batteries also have dual-use applications in the commercial automotive industry for hybrid electric vehicles. The availability of domestically manufactured lithium ion batteries is critical to both the DoD and to the ability of our automotive manufacturers to produce the next generation of ground vehicles.
$10 million for an advanced battery development program. These funds would initiate a new advanced battery technology development program at TARDEC. Advanced battery technology offers tremendous potential to significantly improve the near-term operational performance and capability for military vehicles to generate, distribute and store electrical power. Advanced batteries are also recognized as a critical component of developing military hybrid vehicles.
$8 million to continue the Vehicle Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Logistics Program. This Defense Logistics Agency-managed competitive program continues the development of fuel cell technologies for use in DoD vehicles and the development of the hydrogen infrastructure to support use of those vehicles. A critical component of this program is the development of a comprehensive and integrated strategy for the appropriate use of hydrogen to meet DoD requirements in the future.
$3 million to continue development of lightweight, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries using nanomaterials technology. Lithium-ion batteries could be considerably lighter, much more capable, and more affordable than currently available battery systems. A123 Systems of Ann Arbor has been working with the government on this research for several years.
$2 million for development of flexible photovoltaics. This project seeks to develop technologies necessary to lower the cost of roof top solar electric systems to reach grid parity. The goal is to generate solar electricity at a cost comparable to that obtained by the burning of fossil fuels. United Solar Ovonic in Auburn Hills has extensive experience with flexible photovoltaics.
$2 million to continue a biofuels research program through the Defense Logistics Agency. Interest in biofuels is driven by high oil prices, environmental concerns, as well as national security concerns. Aggressive efforts are required to develop advanced biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol and butanol, high-yield biodiesel, and wood-derived bio-oil, all of which have significant potential to be utilized by DoD.
Advanced Automotive
$10 million for vehicle systems engineering and integration activities at TARDEC. TARDEC has a requirement to further develop the in-house technical, systems engineering and systems integration skills necessary to serve as the systems integrator for all current and future Army manned and unmanned ground vehicles. These funds will help TARDEC to significantly expand its technical in-house capabilities through retraining of its current workforce and the hiring of engineers, scientists and technicians.
$4 million to continue a coordinated hybrid engine development program at TARDEC. This merit-based program focuses on both basic and applied research in engine technology, power electronics, control technology and other areas. Research areas include theoretical analysis, computational design and analysis, and experimental verification components.
$3 million for the development and testing of advanced plug-in hybrid vehicle technologies. This project seeks to develop and deploy plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) technologies that will reduce DoD fuel consumption using conventional generation, renewable generation, and vehicles with exportable electric power. NextEnergy in Detroit has extensive experience with hybrid vehicle technologies and has been working with the Army for a number of years on related projects.
$3.5 million for hydraulic hybrid vehicle technology. This research seeks to produce a new line of advanced, highly efficient, hydraulic pump and motor products which will replace conventional automatic transmissions and could significantly improve overall drivetrain efficiency in military ground vehicles. Bosch Rexroth Corporation has been working with the Army for several years on the development of hydraulic hybrid technology.
$4 million for the development of virtual systems integration technology. This technology seeks to quickly and efficiently perform evaluations and trade studies on competing system designs, perform requirements analysis, and validate system modifications and designs both early in the procurement process and later during enhancements. This process will make the vehicle systems design and component selection more efficient and cost effective. Cybernet Systems Corporation in Ann Arbor has been working with the Army on this technology for several years.
Procurement
$1.3 billion for the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV). Arvin Meritor of Troy, AAR Mobility of Cadillac, and a number of other Michigan contractors are involved in the production of FMTVs.
$364.2 million for the Army's Stryker armored vehicle. General Dynamics Land Systems of Sterling Heights is the prime contractor for the Stryker armored vehicle. Many Michigan companies serve as subcontractors in this program.
$1.6 billion for the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV). Demmer of Lansing, AM General of Livonia, and General Motors are major contractors for the HMMWV. Many Michigan companies serve as subcontractors in this program.
$369.4 million for the Abrams Main Battle Tank program. General Dynamics Land Systems of Sterling Heights is the prime contractor for the Abrams program.
$157.5 million for the Lightweight 155mm Howitzer. Howmet Castings of Whitehall is a major contractor for the Lightweight 155mm Howitzer program.
$1.4 billion for the Family of Heavy Tactical Vehicles. Detroit Diesel manufactures and supplies the engine for this program.
$6.7 billion for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles. Spartan Chassis of Charlotte, Arvin Meritor of Troy, and Demmer Corporation of Lansing are involved in this program.
$500.7 million for Bradley Fighting Vehicle modifications. L-3 of Muskegon is a major contractor for the Bradley program.
$8 million for multi climate protection clothing systems for the Navy and Marine Corps. The components of this clothing system replace older garments that are bulky, have minimal water and wind resistance, limited moisture management and cannot decrease or increase thermal value by addition or removal of layers. Peckham Industries of Lansing manufactures components for this clothing system.
$2 million for expandable light air mobility shelters. These shelters provide troops with a mobile facility for the execution of battlefield command and control activities that is also easily deployable on aircraft. AAR Mobility of Cadillac manufactures these shelters.
Other Military-related Research and Development Initiatives
$2 million for advanced manufacturing and coatings research for Navy parts. The use of laser-aided direct metal deposition and friction stir processing techniques offer the promise of significant reductions in cost and lead time by reducing material and energy costs. In addition, advanced material deposition technologies have the potential to enhance the durability and performance of many parts required by the Navy. HOPE in Detroit has been working with the Navy on a related project for several years.
$5 million for the Air Force's Metals Affordability Initiative (MAI). The MAI is a government-industry cooperative program focused on the development of new aerospace materials and alloys. Alcoa Howmet in Whitehall is a participating member of the MAI and is developing new materials that will reduce aircraft engine maintenance costs and help enable the next generation of fighter aircraft and unmanned air vehicles.
$5 million for development of casting technologies. Under the proposed project, industry and government partners will conduct research, development, design, and engineering support on pre-competitive issues including core quality, inspection methodology, and modeling/simulation to increase yield, allow increased component complexity, and improve basic casting practices for application to key aerospace platforms. Alcoa Howmet in Whitehall is a leader in the casting industry.
$4.1 million for Tomahawk missile engine cost reduction efforts. This project will lower the cost of producing the Tomahawk missile engines by incorporating new technologies into the engine system to improve its affordability. Williams International in Walled Lake produces Tomahawk missile engines for the military.
$2 million for diverse threat sensor research and integration. This funding would be used to develop sensing and data processing methods to combine information from a variety of battlefield sensors to provide warfighters with an enhanced view of the battlefield and improved threat warning in urban environments. Michigan Technological University in Houghton has been working with the Army in this research area.
Nearly $1.8 billion for merit-based fundamental research to support the military at our nation's universities and government laboratories. Many Michigan universities perform high quality fundamental research for the Department of Defense in all fields of science and technology.
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