Senator Tim Johnson | Working for South Dakota

Press Release of Senator Johnson

Johnson Urges President to Sign Defense Funding Bill

Legislation includes $40 Million for South Dakota Related Projects

Contact: Julianne Fisher, 202-224-1638
Friday, November 9, 2007

Washington, DC—U.S. Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) announced the Senate has passed the Fiscal Year 2008 Defense spending bill conference report, which includes $39.79 million for South Dakota related projects. The conference report was already passed by the House, and now moves to the President for his signature.

The conference report includes $8.83 million for projects associated with the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and $7.68 million for projects associated with South Dakota State University, as well as $9 million to upgrade and modernize the B-1B fleet.

“As we approach Veterans Day, the strongest message of support we can send our men and women in uniform is the President signing this bill into law,” said Johnson, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “Nearly $40 million in this bill will go to South Dakota related projects that will improve the tools our troops use every day to carry out their mission.”

FUNDS JOHNSON SECURED IN THE BILL INCLUDE:

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology funding:

Future Affordable Multi-Utility (FAMU) Materials for the Army Future Combat Systems--$6.4 million
Control System for Laser Powder Deposition--$400,000
Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Simulation in Different Soils--$400,000
Transparent Nanocomposite Armor--$300,000
Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Sensors--$500,000
Shielding Rocket Payloads--$350,000
Novel Extremity Body Armor--$480,000

South Dakota State University funding:

Accelerated Materials Development and Characterization for Army Cannon Systems--$1.84 million
Fatigue Odometer for Vehicle Components and Gun Barrels Project--$2.64 million
Alternative Power Technology (APT) for Missile Defense--$3.2 million

Other funding Johnson secured for South Dakota:

Advanced Electronics Rosebud Integration Center (AERIC) --$4 million
Next Generation Lightweight Drive System for Army Weapons Systems--$2 million
Exploding Foil Initiators with Nanomaterial-Based Circuits--$2.4 million

· MEMS Microdetonator Packaging Technology for Advanced DOD Weapons--$2.4 million

· High Sentinel Stratospheric Airship--$4.64 million

Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS) Qualification for Aging Weapons Systems Structural Repair--$1.6 million

· Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Qualification for Aging Weapons Systems Structural Repair--$1.6 million

· Integrated Mechanical Diagnostics Health and Usage Management System and Condition Based Maintenance--$4.64 million

Modernization and Upgrade Program for the B-1B--$9 million

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For more information on Senator Tim Johnson visit his website at http://johnson.senate.gov.