Wyden, Smith Secure Nearly $68 Million for Oregon Defense Projects
Senate Approves FY 2005 Defense Funding Bill Today
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) today announced final Senate approval of $67.9 million for Oregon defense projects in the upcoming Fiscal Year 2005, and approval of an additional $29.4 million for projects in which Oregon companies will participate. After today's passage by the Senate, the same bill is expected to pass the House shortly, and will then be sent to the President for signature. "The funds approved today by the full Senate will help to create jobs for Oregonians and maintain our state's leading role in America's defense at home and abroad," said Wyden. "I am pleased that these funds for defense projects will be on the ground and put to use very soon." "Oregon has given above and beyond the call of duty in serving America with troops and innovation," said Smith. "The research and equipment funded through this bill will go a long way in supporting our troops and saving lives." The projects that would receive funding are as follows: • The Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI) would receive $2.5 million to develop miniaturized tactical energy systems for a wide range of military applications, including portable power systems for use by military personnel in the field and power systems for remote autonomous censors. • ONAMI would also receive $2.5 million for developing nanomaterials and nanomanufacturing methods to meet the military's simultaneous need for high performance materials, protecting human health and minimizing harm to the environment. • Oregon AERO of Scappoose would receive $2.2 million for improved body armor for Oregon soldiers. Specifically, the funds would be used to purchase helmet liner systems for National Guardsmen and Reservists that are already being used by the Army and Special Operations soldiers. • HemCon of Tigard would receive $10.5 million for the further development of the chitosan hemorrhage control dressing. Studies conducted by the Army indicated that the chitosan dressing can have a beneficial effect controlling hemorrhage from internal sites, and can save lives during surgery and preserve precious blood supply in the field. • Oregon Medical Laser Center in Portland would receive $4 million for tissue replacement and repair for battlefield injuries that would revolutionize treatment of external bleeding, which the Army cites as the leading preventable cause of death on the battlefield. The first soldier to die in Afghanistan died from uncontrollable bleeding due to a small bullet to the leg. Wyden and Smith were able to secure $16 million last year for both the hemorrhage control dressing and the tissue replacement and repair research and development programs. • Freightliner, based in Portland, would share in $15 million to continue its program of replacing M915 line haul tractors. The newer heavy tactical tractors are more reliable, easier to maintain and significantly more fuel efficient. • Oregon Iron Works, with operations in Clackamas, would share in $8.4 million for the completion and continued testing of a Sealion cascading vehicle capable of supporting a variety of missions, including mine identification and deactivation, clandestine surveillance of shore side and seaborne activity, reconnaissance and target interdiction. • The Metals Affordability Initiative Consortium would receive $7.5 million for research, testing and development of technologies to improve military war fighting capability while increasing the cost-effectiveness of such technologies. The Consortium's presence in Oregon includes Oremet, a division of Allegheny Technologies located in Albany; Pacific Cast Technologies, a division of Ladish located in Albany; and Boeing's Portland machining operation & PCC Stucturals, Inc division. • Hydration Technologies of Albany would receive $6.3 million for the operation and maintenance of forward osmosis technology to provide safe fluids for consumption from available contaminated surface water. The Army indicates that this technology will reduce the logistics footprints of military units, extending their operational duration and capability in remote regions. • Macsema, an Oregon-based subcontractor of Intermec Corporation, would share in a $6 million grant for a tracking system to monitor location and usage of military equipment in the field. The Serial Number Tracking System is a web-based system that would monitor military equipment and assets during usage, maintenance, and deployment around the world. • Advanced Navigation and Positioning Corporation of Hood River would receive $6 million for Transportable Transponder Landing Systems to improve the safety, accuracy and reliability of air force operations. • American Blimp Corporation in Hillsboro would receive $6 million for a project to deliver an airborne platform and system that can assist soldiers in urban environments by aiding them in identifying and defeating targets. • FLIR Systems, based in Portland, would receive $5.4 million to improve the thermal imaging systems on its UH-60 aircraft. The improved imaging capabilities will permit aircrews to more effectively detect and identify targets and areas of interest, significantly improve flight safety and provide critical intelligence for aircrew and civil support personnel. Funds would be used to improve the UH-60 MEDEVAC aircraft as well as seven other National Guard UH-60 aircraft. • FLIR Systems in Portland would also receive $5 million to upgrade its thermal imaging systems. The upgrade would permit the Marine Corps aircrews to more effectively detect and highlight areas of interest for navigation and flight safety. It would also help them to ensure that targets or obstacles are quickly identified and designated. • Siga Technologies, Inc. of Corvallis would receive $4 million for the research and development of a system for rapid detection and diagnosis of potential bioterrorism agents. Rapid detection of agents and the subsequent development of vaccines are extremely important components in combating bioterrorism. • AVI BioPharma in Portland and Corvallis would receive $3 million for the development of technology to test for and find therapeutic agents for viruses, including the Ebola and Marburg viruses. This program would leverage research already being conducted in the private sector as well as by researchers at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases to promote survival and favorable clinical outcomes following exposure to these toxins. The company will also receive $2 million for the development of technology to test for and find therapeutic agents for the Anthrax and Ricin toxins. • The University of Oregon's Brain, Biology and Machine Science Initiative would receive $3 million for interdisciplinary research related to cognitive neuroscience, genetics research and informatics.
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