Hoyer Secures Funds for Energetics Projects, Firefighting at Naval Facilities
WASHINGTON - The U.S. House of Representatives last evening passed the fiscal year 2005 Defense Appropriations conference report, agreed to by both the House and the Senate, that contains funding important to Indian Head Naval Surface Warfare Center and Southern Maryland. This funding was added to the Defense Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2005 at Congressman Hoyer's request and was not included in the President's defense funding request for fiscal year 2005. Hoyer is a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and worked to ensure these funds remained in the final version of this bill.
"Indian Head has distinguished itself as the premier military installation in the nation specializing in energetics technology," said Congressman Hoyer. "I am pleased that I was able to work to ensure that the Congress continues to invest in the unique work carried out at this superior military installation by the talented men and women on the base. These three important programs will advance our military capabilities and help improve the safety of the men and women working at the base, and of our armed forces around the world."
Funding for specific programs that will benefit Indian Head included in the Department of Defense Appropriations conference report is listed below:
Multi-Mission Warhead for an Ultra-Lightweight Torpedo, $2.3 Million
This funding will be used to support a promising new energetics technology capability at Indian Head and supports their continuing effort to develop the latest energetics technology for the Department of Defense. The $2.3 million included in the bill will be used to investigate ways to maintain the anti-torpedo torpedo (ATT), a specific capability of a multi-mission warhead which utilizes the directed energy technologies. This innovative technology will be developed, evaluated and demonstrated at Indian Head and will optimize the performance of the warhead technology.
Micro-Detonics for Affordable Miniature Weapons, $2.8 Million
This funding will be used to help meet a crucial requirement for next generation weapons to dramatically reduce the size and capabilities of mechanisms that control weapons systems while enhancing their performance and responsiveness in today's dynamic battlefield environments. In recent decades, the demand for innovative weapons have outpaced technological advancements and several weapons programs have suffered from technology shortfalls. This funding will bridge the technology gap and provide additional support to integrate and assemble these advanced weapons systems in the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head MEMS Cleanroom.
Naval District Washington Firefighting, $1.1 Million
This funding will be used to purchase fire vehicles and will help address some of the serious funding shortfalls projected for firefighting operations at facilities within the Naval District Washington (NDW), including Patuxent River, Indian Head, US Naval Academy, Chesapeake Beach, Carderock, and Dahlgren. Significant shortfalls exist for personnel, operations and equipment needs at all of the facilities throughout the NDW, and the ability of these federal firefighters to adequately protect the military personnel and equipment at these facilities is dangerously diminished by these funding gaps. This funding will begin addressing these urgent needs to ensure the safety at our region's Naval facilities.