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July 22, 2004

House OKs $344 million for isle military construction,

$34 million for Hawaii R&D projects

Washington, DC - - The U.S. House of Representatives today approved two defense spending bills that provide $344.79 million for Hawaii military construction projects sought by Congressman Neil Abercrombie, as well as $34 million for high tech research and development (R&D) projects in Hawaii. 

The House voted to pass the FY2005 Military Construction Appropriations Act, as well as the FY2005 Defense Appropriations conference report. 

Many of the Hawaii construction projects will provide support and training facilities for the 25^th Infantry Division’s Stryker Brigade and the C-17 transport aircraft earmarked for the brigade’s movement. 

Abercrombie is a senior member of the Armed Services Committee, which authorizes military construction, R&D, and other Defense programs. 

“This construction will help the military and it will help Hawaii,” said Abercrombie. “Federal investment has always been a key element in our economy and it will remain important for the future.  The bottom line here is jobs, contracts and small business survival.  I worked hard to get bipartisan support for these projects, and I’m pleased to see those efforts paying off for Hawaii. 

“We’re making a commitment to military personnel, their families, and the commands based in Hawaii.  It reflects our determination to maintain an infrastructure that will support isle-based commands for decades to come.”

Of the FY2005 Defense Appropriations conference report’s R&D projects, Abercrombie said: “This work will nurture Hawaii’s emerging high tech sector and provide growing opportunities for our young people to participate in the 21^st century economy.”

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION

Hawaii projects in the FY2005 Military Construction Appropriations Act include: 

Installation                                            Project Title                                                     Amount (in millions)

Helemano Military Reservation  Drum Road Upgrade, Phase 1                                             27.00

Helemano Military Reservation  Tank Trails                                                                            7.30

Hickam AFB                                        Hot Cargo Pad Expansion                                        11.20

Pohakuloa                                            West PTA Modifications                                          30.00

Schofield Barracks                               Barracks Complex Renewal, Quad E, Ph 2               36.00

Schofield Barracks                               Barracks Complex Renewal, Capron Ave., Ph3       48.00

Schofield Barracks                               Battle Area Live Fire Complex                                 32.00

Schofield Barracks                               Combined Arms Collective Training Facility              32.54

Schofield Barracks                               Fire Station                                                                 4.80

Schofield Barracks                               Qualification Training Range                                        4.95

Schofield Barracks                               Tactical Vehicle Wash Facility                                     3.50

Schofield Barracks                               Vehicle Maintenance Facility, Phase 1                        49.00

Wheeler AAF                                       Deployment Facility                                                  24.00

Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard            Drydock 4 Shorepower Improvements                   5.10

(added at Congressman Abercrombie’s initiative)

Hickam AFB                                        Alter C-17 Maintenance/Supply Areas                        9.00

Hickam AFB                                        C-17 Clear Water Rinse                                             4.30

Hickam AFB                                        C-17 Maintenance Shop Facility                                 8.20

Hickam AFB                                        C-17 Munitions Storage                                             1.95

Hickam AFB                                        C-17 Support Utilities, Phase 2                                  2.45

Naval Station Pearl Harbor                   Multi-Product Interface Tank                                     3.50

TOTAL FOR HAWAII MILITARY CONSTRUCTION…………………….…….....344.79 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Hawaii R&D projects in the FY 2005 Defense Appropriations conference report include: 

Marine Mammal Research Program -- $1.1 million

            Addresses concerns about the effects of sound on the behavior and well-being of marine mammals.  The research is particularly important to the Navy as it seeks to deploy the Low Frequency Active Sonar for increased sub-hunting capabilities.  The UH Marine Mammal Research Program at Kaneohe has already demonstrated proficiency in echo-location studies on whales and dolphins. This provision maintains funding for continued research to ensure that all ocean users, including the military, meet environmental standards without compromising operational capability. 

Interrogator for High-Speed Retro-Reflectometer Communication -- $2million

Honolulu-based NovaSol is continuing development of a beta prototype interrogator system to demonstrate a high-speed reflectometer data link from an air platform.  The overarching purpose of the program is to develop high-speed data links for rapid download of high resolution imagery from airborne sensors, particularly Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV).  These funds will enable the Navy to move these technical advances into the development of a miniature prototype.  The prototype will demonstrate a high-speed reflector data link with an interrogator designed for easy transport by special operation forces.

Consolidated Undersea Situational Awareness System (CUSAS) -- $3.4 million

            CUSAS is a tactical agent-based decision tool for use in undersea warfare.  It is designed to provide knowledge superiority to U.S. forces through the use of advanced, interactive software.  With the support and sponsorship of the Commander, Submarine Force Pacific Fleet, CUSAS has demonstrated the capability to interface with (and thus process and display) all sources of data feed onboard a U.S. submarine.  The core technology was installed and successfully demonstrated in an operational tactical submarine trainer with a follow-on at-sea demonstration scheduled in 2004.  CUSAS offers transformational advantages to fleet operators as it helps convert uncertain and seemingly unrelated data into a discrete, comprehensive operational picture augmented with real-time tactical recommendations in a user-friendly format.  

Theater Undersea Warfare Initiative (TUSW) -- $7.6 million

            The TUSW Initiative seeks to enhance the Navy’s network centric capability for maritime patrol aircraft units and their associated command and control apparatus.  The Initiative is being conducted by Lockheed Martn Orincon of Kailua, utilizing the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Maui High Performance Computing Center as a capability node to support net-centric USW.  In addition, TUSW will enable a critical advance in communication and collaboration capability for maritime patrol aircraft by replacing limited analog voice-only communications with a digital communications channel 

High Accuracy Network Determination System (HANDS) -- $8.5 million

            Oceanit, headquartered in Honolulu, is currently performing research, development and demonstration of the HANDS technology for the U.S. Air Force under the Maui Space Surveillance System.  Using relatively low-cost, innovative telescopes to determine orbital information of satellites with unprecedented accuracy, the High Accuracy Network

Determination System, HANDS provides highly accurate space tracking data largely independent of weather conditions.  HANDS allows the Air Force to perform its Space Situational Awareness mission at substantially lower costs than existing optical, radar, and laser systems.  Research is leading to a networked operationally secure multi-sensor system where highly accurate observations are obtainable 24 hours per day, seven days per week at costs many orders of magnitude less than anything available.    

Hyperspectral Long-wave Imager for the Tactical Environment (HyLITE) -- $3.1 million

            The HyLITE system is the first tactical application of long wave infrared (LWIR) hyperspectral technology, providing a 24-hour capability to discriminate camouflaged targets and decoys from real targets.  The sensor is capable of automatically detecting and identifying targets based on their spectral signature and will be integrated with Air Force airborne reconnaissance platforms.  The UH Institute of Geophysics and Planetology is conducting the algorithm work for the sensor and represents a third of the team involved in developing sensor capabilities.

See/Rescue Distress Streamers—$3 million

The See/Rescue distress streamer is a compact, high strength, bright orange polyethelene 40-foot streamer deployed by accident survivors on land or water.  It improves the visibility of survivors by a factor of 50 to 240, depending on the model.  The streamers are constructed of inert materials, eliminating the need for costly maintenance or batteries, chemicals, or electronics.  The funding will allow Aiea-based Rescue Technologies to complete the See/Rescue streamer’s search and rescue (SAR) certification process.  

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Trial--$2.8 million

This program by Hoku Scientific of Honolulu involves the integration of low cost and high performance fuel cell membrane with ten one-kilowatt  stationary Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell systems for field testing at Navy Region Hawaii.  These state-of-the-art portable energy systems will power an area of Naval Station Pearl Harbor.   

Pacific Theater Data Fusion Testbed (PDFT)--$2.5 million

The Pacific Theater Data Fusion Testbed  work being conducted by Lockheed Martin Orincon will help fast-track technology development to support ship-based missile defense tracking and target discrimination requirements.  Emphasis will include multiple-sensor fusion and boost-phase tracking. 

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