BOSTON - Senators John Kerry and Edward Kennedy announced that the Defense Appropriations Bill was approved by Congress earlier today.

The Defense Appropriations Bill a total of $126,700,000 for defense companies throughout the state.

“This is a victory for crucial defense projects in our state. From funding for the TS Enterprise at the Mass Maritime Academy to funding for development of better medical care for our soldiers in the field, this bill will help make a difference in the security of our nation and the lives of our military men and women,” said Senator Kerry. “By making these investments in our communities, we are investing in our state’s economic future, and that is why Senator Kennedy and I fight each year to secure federal funding for these initiatives that keep our country secure and our troops protected.”

Melissa Wagoner, a spokeswoman for Senator Kennedy, said, “These important projects will enhance Massachusetts’ role as a leader in the defense industry. I’m proud to see so many Massachusetts companies at the cutting edge of defense technology. Our courageous men and women serving overseas deserve the very best protection our nation can provide.”

Massachusetts projects in the Defense Appropriations Bill

Andover: $ 4 million for the Mobile Sensor Enhancement to BMD Sensors Network

To complete sensor coverage against threats in high priority theaters, the global sensor network requires additional sea based surveillance and cueing sensors, networked with both existing and future land, space and sea based sensors, which this proposed Maritime Mobile Sensor will do.

Bedford - $2 million for Next Generation Robot to iRobot

iRobot’s Warrior system is the next generation of military robots, capable of “running” as fast as soldiers, carrying the same amount if not more than a soldier, able to climb stairs, jump out windows, perform reconnaissance, IED removal and disposal and a variety of other duties.

Billerica - $2.4 million for Special Operations Visual Augmentation Systems Hand Held Imager/Long Range to FLIR Systems

This sensor seeks to provide stabilized long-range surveillance, ID, detection and tracking in all viewing and weather conditions at ranges where the operator normally would not be able to identify targets.

Billerica - $1.6 million for Biometric Terrorist Watch-List Data Base Management Development to L-1 Identity Solutions

This project seeks to develop an enhanced identity-based data-capture and management system, utilizing biometric technologies such as face and iris recognition.

Boston - $3.2 million for Photonics Research for Sniper Detection to Boston University (BU) Photonics Center

The BU Photonics Center will complete initial prototypes supporting advances in bioterrorism and battlefield communications in furtherance of DoD force protection.

Boston - $1.6 million for Military Low Vision Research Program to Schepens Eye Research Institute

The Military Vision Research Program’s efforts are focused on improving the treatment of eye wounds to save vision following battlefield injury, including Traumatic Brain Injury, as well as on developing vision enhancement devices to meet the needs of our military partners.

Boston - $8 million to Center for Integration of Medicine and Innovative Technology (CIMIT)

CIMIT catalyzes multi-disciplinary/multi-institutional research and development to expand and enhance military medical capabilities through the development of critically needed trauma/casualty care and rehabilitation technologies, and new therapeutic procedures consistent with U.S. Army requirements in medical advanced technology.

Bourne - $10 million for the Training Ship Enterprise to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA)

The TS Enterprise forms part of the U.S. Maritime Administration’s national emergency response plan and has been used to berth first responders and other key personnel after a terrorist attack or natural disaster, including Hurricane Katrina.

Bourne - $20.5 million for Massachusetts National Cemetery

This funding will be utilized to develop an additional 25 acres, replenish currently depleted infrastructure and establish a gravesite locator. The Massachusetts National Cemetery currently serves over 400,000 veterans in the southeastern Massachusetts area, and was projected to be depleted of gravesites in 2012 if additional land was not acquired.

Burlington - $4 million for ALON and Spinel Optical Ceramics to Surmet

This project seeks to produce transparent armor and infrared windows in large quantities and sizes at affordable prices for military systems. ALON has material with 50 percent weight and thickness reduction compared to current hard-glass armor.

Burlington: $800,000 for Smart Data Project: Real-Time Geospatial Video Sensor Intelligence

The Smart Data Project will provide a revolutionary combination of available technologies that deliver immediate, situational benefit to U.S. forces and eliminate significant communication problems that hamper military intelligence efforts. This solution entails embedding location, date and time data directly in real-time intelligence imagery streams at the point of collection.

Cambridge - $800,000 for the New England Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative to Concurrent Technologies Corporation

The NEMSC Initiative works with machine shops and small and medium-sized manufacturers in the six New England states to build their capacity to meet on-demand materials shortages and deliver equipment and products in response to critical backorder problems identified by DoD.

Cambridge: $2.8 million for the Military Photomedicine Program

Academic Centers with demonstrated expertise in clinical applications of light based technologies for combat casualty and other military medical needs. Access to a multitude of practicing medical clinicians is crucial and mandates the involvement of university based medical school and hospitals.

Cape Cod - $16 million for Digital Ground Station at Otis ANGB

This funding will support the unit’s conversion from an F-15 flying mission to an intelligence analysis and exploitation mission located at Otis Air National Guard Base.

Chelmsford: $1.6 million for Fire and Blast Resistant Materials for Force Protection

Additives have been tested and developed, which, when combined with polyurea, provide a protective composition that is not only fire and blast resistant, but also affordable and easy to apply.

Fall River - $1.6 million for Advanced Tactical Control System to MIKEL

MIKEL has developed an Advanced Tactical Control System (ATCS) that automatically fuses contact data derived from raw acoustic energy measured by submarine sensors with environmental, bathymetric and geographic data to eliminate locations where the contacts cannot be present and therefore determine areas/location of contact density.

Fitchburg: $7.6 million for DDG 51 Class Permanent Magnet Hybrid Electric Propulsion System

To design and build a hybrid electric drive system for insertion into DDG 51 class destroyers. This projected to have a payback period of approximately 3 years based only on fuel savings.

Franklin - $2 million for Tactical Metal Fabrication (TacFab) to Thermo Fisher Scientific

Tactical Metal Fabrication (TacFab) provides a containerized, mobile foundry to the Army, allowing deployed forces to produce spare and replacement parts in the field and cutting order times from weeks or months to 24 hours.

Lawrence - $2 million for Multi Climate Protection System (MCPS) to Polartec

Multi Climate Protection System is a modular ensemble that provides superior performance by layering thermal protection and shell garments to Navy and Marine Corps aircrew personnel.

Lawrence - $2.4 million for Cold Weather Layering System (CWLS) to Polartec

The Cold Weather Layering System reduces the weight and volume that a Marine operating as dismounted infantry carries to accomplish combat missions in extreme climate conditions.

Leominster and Natick: $1.2 million for Lightweight Polymer Designs for Soldier Combat Optics

To develop a sturdy polymer based material that can be used for low-cost, lightweight eyewear and day optics that can withstand the rigors of difficult climate. Polymers are more easily manufactured than glass, and polymers are often less expensive than high-end glass. Also, new polymer materials can result in improved ballistic performance.

Littleton - $1.6 million for Composite Torpedo Homing Array to Materials Systems Inc.

The Navy is upgrading the Mk54 Lightweight Torpedo in FY 2009 and the Mk48 Heavyweight Torpedo sonar homing systems to meet the challenges of detecting enemy targets in shallow waters and keeping up with diesel-electric submarine advances.

Littleton: $1.6 million for the Integrated Vehicle Health Monitoring System

Program will determine the value of adopting commercial automotive standards as a baseline for a set of open standards for the Army's vehicle health monitoring system as part of an overall Open System Vehicle Electronics Architecture.

Lowell - $1 million for Nanomanufacturing of Multifunctional Sensors to University of Massachusetts-Lowell

University of Massachusetts-Lowell’s Center for High-Rate Nanomanufacturing and the Army Research Laboratory will develop a suite of multifunctional sensors with high-sensitivity and selectivity that ultimately will be integrated into a single compact system for the military.

Marion: $1.6 million for NULKA Decoy and Mk. 53 Decoy Launch System

The NULKA Decoy System provides effective all-weather self-protection when operating in littoral waters for large U.S. Navy surface combatants and amphibious ships against modern anti-ship missiles.

New Bedford - $1.6 million for Combined Mishap Reduction System to International Compliance Systems

The Comprehensive Mishap Reduction (CMR) System is a web-based information management system that would enable military officers along the chain-of-command to prevent avoidable accidents among subordinate personnel.

North Andover - $1.6 million Dedicated Breast MRI System for Walter Reed Comprehensive Breast Center (CBC) to Aurora Imaging Technology

The provision of a Dedicated Breast MRI system to CBC will provide enhanced levels of patient care for service members and dependents; allow increased research opportunities benefiting service member and dependent populations; and would favorably address the current scheduling and priority-of-use conflicts that currently face the Comprehensive Breast Center.

Northampton - $1.2 million for High Awareness Littoral Observation (HALO) 360-Degree Imaging for Submarines to Kollmorgen

High Awareness Littoral Observation (HALO) is a 360-degree non-rotating imaging module that allows submarines to instantaneously observe contacts without rotating either the periscope or the photonics mast.

Pittsfield and Westwood: $2 million for Autonomous Acoustic Array Advanced Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

Advanced Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technology is a proven, reliable, high-efficiency power generation system that uses standard military grade fuels readily available around the globe.

Waltham - $3 million for Space Situational Awareness to Raytheon (IDS)

The Joint Force Component Commander for Space has requested this solution to quickly assess space events, such as a missile launch, and track space objects to improve space situational awareness.

Waltham - $1.6 million for Advanced Lower Limb Prostheses for Battlefield Amputees to Foster-Miller

With dramatic improvements in personal protective equipment for soldiers, there has been a dramatic decrease in the number of battlefield fatalities. However, an increasing number of returning casualties are amputees (about 85 percent of all amputees are lower limb cases).

Waltham- $2.4 million for Boat Trap System/Water Craft Interdiction to Foster-Miller

With this funding, Foster-Miller will be able to complete important research and development of the “Boat Trap System.” The boat trap system includes a propeller entangling system deployable from an aircraft in order to impair and/or stop vessels that menace US ships in port or are fleeing the US Coast Guard.

Watertown- $1.2 million for Nanocrystal Source Display to QD Vision

As troops in the field continue to use more technology, creating legible command and control displays is critical to efficient use of this technology. This project will further advances in development of the micro-helmet mounted displays and other command and control displays. Additionally, this effort improves the U.S ability to recapture the technological lead in the global display industry.

Westborough: $2.4 million for the Center for Technology Commercialization for its Technology and Human Systems Integration

This is a collaborative effort between CTC and the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development & Engineering Center (NSRDEC) to assist in the transfer of DoD technology and systems to First Responders to benefit the approximately 1 million federal, state and local law enforcement officers

Weston - $2 million for Air Force Research Laboratory Nuclear Test Seismic Research to Weston Geophysical

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) conducts the only defense seismic research program to support the mission of helping ensure foreign compliance with formal and informal agreements to limit nuclear weapons development, such as the Six Party agreements with North Korea and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

Wilmington: $1.6 million for the Raman Chemical ID system

This project will combine two leading explosives detection and identification technologies, Raman spectroscopy and explosives trace detection (ETD), in a single handheld device.

Woburn - $800,000 for ImageNav Low-Cost, Image-Based Navigation and Precision Targeting to Scientific Systems Company

ImageNav is a low-cost technology that enables the Tomahawk missile and other air vehicles to navigate precisely without the GPS in light of Pentagon concerns that potential U.S. competitors will jam satellite signals.

Woburn- $2.4 million for Carbon Nanotube Enhanced Power Sources for Space to Nantero, Inc

This research will further the development of a new class of lithium ion battery technology, which incorporates carbon nanotube technology. This new class of batteries will be critical in meeting the needs of the intelligence community to power more advanced stand-alone applications that require greater power.

Worcester - $1 million for the Center for Untethered Healthcare at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

The Center seeks funding to continue research, design and development of portable physiological monitoring tools, as well as interoperable communications and personnel location technologies to meet critical needs of combat military personnel who require medical assistance under battlefield conditions.

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