WASHINGTON, DC - The United States Senate today approved nearly $80 million in defense funding for Rhode Island that U.S. Senator Jack Reed requested as part of the Senate's Department of Defense Appropriation Bill for fiscal year (FY) 2007. The House of Representatives passed its version of the legislation in June.This funding acknowledges the valuable contribution Rhode Island companies and workers make towards keeping our national defense strong, Reed stated. This investment in Rhode Island's defense industry is vitally important to its continued presence and growth. As the national review of military installation gets closer, it is critical that we ensure that Rhode Island facilities remain modern and up-to-date.Although this legislation is not perfect, this funding is vital to our troops who are defending our nation.The bill also includes an amendment offered by Senator Reed to provide an additional $65.4 million for the procurement of Predators, small remotely piloted aircraft that brings the battlefront to the military.  These unmanned aerial vehicle (UAVs) are used for armed reconnaissance, airborne surveillance, and target acquisition. The bill includes: $16 million: Electric BoatLarge Aperture Bow (LAB) Array on VIRGINIA Class submarines - North Kingstown, RIThe bill contains $16 million for Electric Boat of North Kingstown to develop a detailed design for the Large Aperture Bow (LAB). This program is designed to replace the spherical array, and will significantly reduce submarine construction and system acquisition costs, provide improved sonar performance, and facilitate additional payload. The LAB array utilizes long life, low cost sensors and simpler electronics. $15 Million: Electric BoatFlexible Payload Module (FPM) and Virginia Payload Interface Module (PIM) Development - North Kingstown, RIThe bill provides $15 million to Electric Boat of North Kingstown to simplify integration of new and existing payloads in either a pressure proof or free flooded environment. $10 Million: Electric BoatLarge Displacement UUV - North Kingstown, RIThe bill provides $10 million to Electric Boat of North Kingstown for further development of the Large Displacement UUV to enhance future submarine missions. $4 Million: TPI Composites Composite Armored Cab Program - Warren, Rhode IslandThe bill authorizes $4 million for TPI Composites in Warren to complete testing on three composite armored cabs and to build and test additional cabs that will be lighter and more mobile than current vehicles.$4 Million: BAE Systems and Navel Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Improved Submarine Towed Array Handler and Array Reliability - Newport, Rhode IslandThe bill authorizes $4 million for BAE Systems and NUWC to improve towed array handlers and reliability. The current towed array handling system places high stress on the system and fleet experience has demonstrated that the low system reliability is impacting the fleet's ability to conduct submarine operations. $4 million: ASPEN AerogelsFlexible Aerogel Material Supplier Initiative - East Providence, RIThe bill contains $4 million for Aspen Aerogels of East Providence for the flexible aerogel material supplier initiative. This initiative will address the critical production needs for the essential, high temperature flexible aerogel materials. These aerogel materials are used as high performance insulation for the Department of Defense to provide blast damage mitigation as well as infrared signature reduction. $3 Million: SEACORPSImproved Surface Vessel Torpedo Launcher - Middletown, RIThe bill provides an additional $3 million to SEACORPS of Middletown for support equipment for the improved surface vessel torpedo launcher which will be completely modular and include radar absorbent materials for stealth. $3 Million: 21CSISubmarine Automated Simulation - Middletown, RIThe bill provides an additional $3 million to 21CSI of Middletown for the Submarine Automated Simulation program, a state-of-the-art software application designed to automate much of the current labor-intensive control functions of submarine On-Board Training Systems (OBTT) systems. The program will help improve crew proficiency by generating more robust and realistic training. $3 Million: Rite SolutionsImproved Shipboard Combat Information Center (CIC) - Middletown, Rhode IslandThe bill authorizes $3 million for Rite Solutions of Middletowns Improved Shipboard Combat Information Center. This Center will enhance combat operations while reducing the number of CICs by allowing watch standers to better receive, comprehend, and respond to incoming data during combat operations.$3 Million: Applied Radar, Inc.Wideband Digital Airborne Electronic Sensing Array - North Kingstown, RIThe bill provides an additional $3 million to Applied Radar, Inc. of North Kingstown for the continued development of a system to include a wideband antenna array and wideband digital receiver with 2-18 Ghz of tuning bandwidth and a digital receiver digital beamformer with 1-2 GHz of instantaneous bandwidth. There is currently no existing system that can provide these wide bandwidths necessary for a covert Airforce platform that is currently being developed. $3 Million: Zebra TechnologiesNaval Air Warfare Center Asset Visibility Business Process Improvement - Warwick, RIThe bill provides $3 million to Zebra Technologies of Warwick to help accelerate the Navys implementation of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to improve its supply chain management system. $3 Million: New England Supply ChainThe bill authorizes $3 million for the New England Supply Chain to support the New England Defense Manufacturing Supply Chain efforts to assist small and medium manufacturers in New England with supplying equipment and products to the Department of Defense. $2 Million: Marine AcousticsHandheld Phraselator Improvement Project - Middletown, Rhode IslandThe bill authorizes $2 million for Marine Acoustics of Middletown for a Voice Activated Handheld Translator which allows Special Operations Forces to communicate with local populations when they do not speak the local language or have a reliable linguist with them. $2 Million: Scott Brass, Inc.Copper Antimicrobial Program - Cranston, RIThe bill contains $2 million for Scott Brass, Inc. of Cranston for a demonstration project and clinical trial of the development of beneficial antimicrobial properties of copper alloys. Copper alloys have shown an intrinsic ability to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria, which can thrive in hospital environments and cause serious infections. Incorporating copper alloy into work surfaces, furniture, and hardware, can reduce the incidence of cross contamination from dangerous pathogens in critical DOD facilities, both domestically and especially in remote locations. $2 Million: Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation Undersea Perimeter Security Integrated Defense Environment (UPSIDE)The bill provides $2 million for a consortium organized by the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation to develop a prototype undersea detection/classification/response system to help protect shorefront infrastructure. $1.5 Million: AnteonCommand and Control Web Based Architecture - Middletown, RIThe bill provides an additional $1.5 million to Anteon of Middletown for continued development of a command and control web-based architecture that will be deployable across different hardware platforms. This system will support the warfighters intranet for target quality data feeding a real-time tactical picture.$1 Million: BCREngineered Biological Detectors for Biological Warfare - Middletown, RIThe bill provides $1 million to BCR of Middletown for the development of engineered biological detectors for biological warfare. The funding will be used for the production of a prototype fielded biosensor to detect, identify, and warn against airborne weaponized biological particles.*CORRECTION: Please note that the original version of this press release, issued on September 7, 2006, misstated that Kenyon Industries Inc., of Charlestown, Rhode Island would receive $14 million for the Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS) as part of the fiscal year 2007 Senate Defense Appropriations bill. The bill does include $14 million for the Army and Marine Corps to purchase ECWCS gear in fiscal year 2007. However, several companies nationwide are involved in production of the Extended Cold Weather Clothing System. Kenyon Industries Inc. is one of these companies and is eligible to receive a portion of the overall contract. This funding has yet to be determined but is estimated to be in the $200,000-$300,000 range.