WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, today announced the Senate version of the Department of Defense fiscal year 2009 spending bill includes $66 million for defense projects in Maryland, including $15 million in the Baltimore area. The legislation, which passed the subcommittee today, funds the Department of Defense and will go toward critical research, development, test and evaluation programs, as well as weapons and equipment required for the U.S. Armed Forces.

“We need to do everything we can to support our troops with the equipment they need on the battlefield, the benefits and services they deserve when they return home, and support for their families on the home front. We know how critical these funds are for our troops to fulfill their mission and return home safely,” said Senator Mikulski. “I will keep fighting to put money in the federal checkbook for our troops.”

The $15 million for Baltimore area defense projects includes:

• $5 million for Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aerial System (TUAS) Flight in the National Airspace. The funding will support efforts to design, develop and demonstrate a more capable Detect, Sense and Avoid (DSA) system for safe flight and navigation in domestic U.S. airspace. This work will be performed at the AAI Corporation in Hunt Valley.

• $4 million for Combat Desert Jacket procurement. Funding will provide lightweight, durable and comfortable combat wear for deployed Marines.

• $3 million for the Laser Marksmanship Training System for cheaper, safer and more realistic weapons training for troops, allowing better simulation of battlefield tactics.

• $3 million for an Extensible Launching System for the Navy. This launching system will better protect Navy ships from threats from advanced anti-ship cruise missile ships.

In the next step of the appropriations process, the spending bill will go to the full Appropriations Committee for a vote. That vote has not yet been scheduled.