Published: August 06, 2007 12:20 am            

$460B defense bill to benefit local organizations

Local defense and military health-care programs will receive a bump in funding as part of the $459.6 billion defense appropriations bill for fiscal year 2008 that passed the U.S. House on Sunday.

“The partnerships created by companies and organizations throughout southwestern Pennsylvania with the Department of Defense have resulted in reduced costs for weapons programs, savings to the taxpayer, and have provided our troops with quality equipment and health care,” said U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown, chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.

The bill includes funding for projects being carried out by 13 organizations in Cambria and Somerset counties. Local organizations receiving funding are:

n Coherent Systems International, Paint Township, to provide the Marine Corps with an integrated Combat Operations Center. The center gives commanders real-time surveillance of the battlefield and can provide simulations based on current scenarios.

Funding also is provided for Coherent to assist the Air National Guard integrate existing communications with the modern communications of the U.S. Air Force.

n Concurrent Technologies Corp., Richland Township, for its work with the Navy to develop and apply high-strength, damage-tolerant lightweight materials that meet the performance goals for the Navy’s next generation of ships.

CTC also will be working on future logistics requirements for the U.S. Army, which will enhance operational readiness.

CTC is working with Charlotte, N.C.-based Goodrich Corp., another funding recipient, to help redesign that company’s ACES II ejection seat, which was introduced in the 1960s and is used by the Air Force.

n Conemaugh Health System, Johnstown, for its collaboration with Walter Reed Army Medical Center on pain management and neuroscience research. The program focuses on clinical care, patient education and research relevant to the military. Collaboration has resulted in developing appropriate protocols for nerve block in severe limb loss and damage as well as in breast cancer surgery.

n DRS Technologies Inc., Richland Township, to upgrade the existing tactical display systems found on LHA amphibious assault ships. The current displays haven’t been upgraded in more than a decade. DRS also will continue to intergrate naval radar displays across the Navy’s ships and weapons systems.

n KDH Defense Systems Inc., Johnstown, for its work to improve body armor. KDH will continue development of a lightweight and flexible body armor that offers greater protection.

KDH also will continue development of an electronic swimmer detection system that can be installed along waterways to identify threats both above and below the surface.

n Kongsberg Defense Corp., Richland Township, to further enhance its Protector System, a remote-controlled weapons turret being used in Iraq to provide troops with improved protection by allowing weapons to be operated from within the vehicle.

n Kuchera Defense Systems, Windber, to continue development of Roll-On, Roll-Off reconnaissance technology. This project places mobile intelligence gathering systems into existing aircraft, reducing the cost.

Funding also is included for Kuchera to work with the Army on development of a new cold spray coating for worn and corroded components that will replace the current substance, which has many environmental and health issues.

Kuchera also is working on a support facility that will be used for the repair and maintenance of unmanned ground and aerial vehicles.

n L. Robert Kimball & Associates, Ebensburg, for a program in development to integrate the communications of state, National Guard and first responders so they can effectively communicate in case of an emergency.

n Mountain Top Technologies Inc., Johnstown, for its computer-based training for Air Force medics on anesthesia pain-block procedures for the treatment of wounded troops.

Funding is included for a remote identification program that links aviation mechanics in theater with experts worldwide for immediate help in diagnosing combat helicopter maintenance problems.

n MTS Technologies Inc., Johnstown, to work with the Defense Logistics Agency on developing a system to identify and track spare parts to prevent the need for back-ordering of parts.

Funding also is provided for MTS to continue working with the Army on developing a wireless diagnostic system for military vehicles.

n Northrop Grumman Corp., Johnstown, to continue working with Conemaugh Health System on a digital health-care testbed to evaluate electronic health-care technologies in a rural setting. This project will develop an electronic link between the Department of Defense Military Health System, TRICARE providers and rural hospitals to better serve active and retired military personnel.

n St. Francis University’s Center of Excellence for Remote and Medically Under-Served Areas, CERMUSA, Loretto, to continue applied research in telehealth and distance learning in rural areas.

n Windber Research Institute, to continue its molecular study with Walter Reed Army Medical Center on chronic diseases such as breast cancer, diabetes, heart disease and obesity.

        

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