(Washington, DC)- Congresswoman Gwen Moore obtained $3.5 million in naval research and development funds for DRS Power & Control Technologies, Inc. in the House Defense Appropriations bill passed by the Appropriations Defense Subcommittee on Tuesday.  DRS Technologies has a manufacturing plant in Milwaukee and provides leading edge products and services to defense, government intelligence, and commercial customers.

Moore requested this funding of Chairman C. W. Bill Young and Ranking Member John Murtha of the Defense Subcommittee earlier this year.  If passed into law, the award will help DRS advance its groundbreaking work to develop a Universal Solid-State Circuit Breaker (USSB) as well as its fourth generation magnetic electrical drive motor.

"DRS manufactures key components for a modern and capable /navy fleet.  This type of highly technological manufacturing is a key ingredient for economic prosperity in my district," Congresswoman Moore said.  "If this funding is passed into law, DRS' local development of revolutionary technology could mean more jobs for our area."

DRS' Universal Solid-State Circuit Breaker (USSB) uses high power semiconductors that eliminate the mechanical interfacing issues found in older circuit breakers, enabling them to sense and resolve power failures in a matter of seconds.  The USSB can be used for both DC and AC power of varying frequencies and combines new technology-solid-state interruption-with a mechanical switch.  This improvement provides for a fast response to changes in an electrical system and isolates malfunctions that require maintenance.  Further, the USSB is significantly lighter than current circuit breakers, which frees ship weight for fuel or other supplies and increases operational capability per ton.

DRS has also worked with the Navy to build three generations of magnetic electrical drives.  This funding will enable DRS to continue developing its 4th generation motor, which the Navy is seeking because it will be less than half the weight of its first model and function with twice the torque density of the propulsion motor currently envisioned for the DDX, the Navy's next generation surface combatant ship.

Incorporated in 1968, DRS's high-technology products and services are used by all branches of the U.S. military, major aerospace and defense prime contractors, government intelligence agencies, and industrial markets.

The Defense Appropriations bill will next be debated by the full House Appropriations Committee before being sent to the House floor for consideration.  Later this year, several members of the House and Senate will meet in a conference committee to work out a final compromise version of the bill that can be signed into law.

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For an interview with Congresswoman Gwen Moore, please contact Ashley Glacel at 202-225-4572.