Washington, D.C. - Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced today that millions in defense funding for Northwest Washington businesses and national security interests was included in the final version of the defense appropriations bill . The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill late this evening. The Senate voted on the bill earlier today, clearing the way for the president to sign it into law. The bill includes $416.2 billion in Pentagon funding and $1.3 billion in miscellaneous funding.

“This funding will benefit local communities and our national security,” Larsen said. “These companies provide services that will sharpen our defenses, and these funds have the potential to bring vital economic and job growth opportunities to our local communities,” he added.

Funding of interest included in the Fiscal Year 2005 Defense Appropriations Conference bill:

· $116 million for EA-6B Prowler upgrades (ICAP-III system) that allows Prowlers to intercept, identify, locate and track the more complex and agile enemy threat signals. This will help the aging Prowler fleet stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor.
· $6 million for Point of Maintenance Initiative/Combat Ammunition Systems developed by Intermec to improve the Air Force’s current maintenance data system to ensure accurate and timely entry of data. Intermec, Everett
· $6 million for Serial Number Tracking System, cutting-edge technology designed to allow Web-based, “cradle-to-grave” tracking of individual aircraft components.  Intermec has championed this technology. Intermec, Everett
· $1.5 million for Formable Aligned Carbon Thermosets used to make composite structures of military aircraft much easier to form and reduces their cost by more than 50 percent. Hexcel, Burlington
· $1 million for Braided Reduced Recoil Rope for Hand/Mooring Lines for Navy to study performance of 12-strand Reduced Recoil Rope. Puget Sound Rope, Anacortes
· $2.8 million for further research and development of Anti Gravity Suit. Mustang Survival, Bellingham
· $2.3 million for Immunochemical Biological/Chemical Agent Detection System that is suitable both for battlefield and homeland defense uses. CombiMatrix Corp., Mukilteo

Additional information on each project:

$116 Million for ICAP-III System, EA-6B Prowler Upgrades

To ensure the Prowler’s effectiveness in the future, this funding will help the Navy move aggressively to implement the Prowler’s latest jammer upgrade (ICAP-III).  As the sole provider of tactical electronic attack capability, it is imperative that the EA-6B force is ready, has the most effective jamming gear available, and has uninterrupted communications with strike and support assets. By supporting these modest initiatives, Congress can help ensure the effectiveness and survivability of all US tactical aircraft, well into the future.

$6 Million for Point of Maintenance Initiative/Combat Ammunition Systems
Intermec, Everett

Intermec should receive $6 million for its Point of Maintenance Initiatives (POMX) that would improve the Air Force’s current maintenance data system to ensure accurate and timely entry of data.

“Our Air Force technicians’ main priority is to get our aircraft repaired and operational with little delay, but their outdated data system can’t keep pace with their work. The Point of Maintenance Initiatives would bring today’s technology to the repair room, so they can get our aircraft back in the air with quick turnaround,” Larsen added.

$6 Million for Serial Number Tracking System
Intermec, Everett

Intermec Corp. should receive $6 million for the Navy’s Serial Number Tracking System, cutting-edge technology designed to allow Web-based, “cradle-to-grave” tracking of individual aircraft components.  Intermec has championed this technology.

Larsen explained, “The Serial Number Tracking System is a key component of efforts to reduce overall maintenance and supply costs and increase military readiness.” 

$1.5 Million for Formable Aligned Carbon Thermosets
Hexcel, Burlington

The House bill included $1.5 million for DOD research and development into a Hexcel product, Formable Aligned Carbon Thermosets (FACTS).  FACTS can be used to make composite structures of military aircraft much easier to form and reduce their costs by more than 50 percent.

“The current composite structure of military aircraft is a central reason for the high cost of the finished product. I am confident that the research and development process will show that Hexcel’s technology will improve the quality of our aircraft and significantly reduce costs,” Larsen stated.

Hexcel, with approximately 80 employees at their Burlington plant, could see increased funding in the future based on the successful results of the research and development process.

$1 Million for Braided Reduced Recoil Rope for Hand/Mooring Lines
Puget Sound Rope, Anacortes
The U.S. Navy uses four-strand design of Reduced Recoil Risk (RRR) rope construction for hand and mooring lines. This design poses disadvantages that can be overcome with a 12-strand design. A braided 12-strand Reduced Recoil Rope provides a true torque balanced construction that does not kink and is easy to handle and store. The 12-strand ropes are extremely flexible and bend readily around small diameter objects and braided constructions do not require any braided jackets for structural integrity. The funds would be used to conduct a one-year test to prove that the braided 12-strand Reduced Recoil Rope will meet or exceed Navy performance requirements.
$2.8 Million for Further Research and Development of Anti Gravity Suit
Mustang Survival, Bellingham
For over thirty years, the Air Force has used Anti-Gravity garments to protect aircrews in high-speed fighter aircraft from the physiological effects of acceleration and maneuver-induced ‘G’ forces that quickly diminish pilots’ performance and can lead to ‘G’ induced loss of consciousness. Mustang Survival has engineered and manufactured an Anti-G suit that the Department of Defense currently uses.
Mustang Survival should receive $2.8 million for further Research and Development of the Anti-Gravity garment.

“This funding will help Mustang Survival continue making our pilots and aircrews safer,” Larsen said. “I am proud to represent a company that is doing such critical work.”

$2.3 Million for Immunochemical Biological/Chemical Agent Detection System
CombiMatrix Corp., Mukilteo

CombiMatrix Corp. should receive $2.3 million for its immunochemical biological/chemical agent detection system that is suitable both for battlefield and homeland defense uses. 

Larsen noted, “CombiMatrix has developed new technology that will increase our troops’ safety by allowing them to detect extremely low levels of many biological and chemical warfare agents.”

$100 Million for Tanker Replacement Transfer Fund

The bill appropriates $100 million for a Tanker Replacement Transfer Fund intended to move forward the procurement of Boeing 767s for use as aerial refueling tanker aircraft. The Secretary of the Air Force has designated the KC-767 to be the replacement for the 43-year old KC-135 aerial refueling tanker aircraft. The 43-year-old tankers have played a critical role in conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq and are in need of replacement.

“The Air Force needs a new generation of tankers, and Boeing is the company to build them. The final Defense spending bill includes a strong commitment to both of those facts,” Larsen said.

Larsen serves on the U.S. House Armed Services Committee.