President Signs FY 2000 Defense Appropriations Bill into Law
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new simulation initiative, sponsored by U.S. Rep. John L. Mica (R-Winter Park), should strengthen and expand the high-tech simulation industry in Central Florida and is included in the Defense Appropriations bill that was signed by the President yesterday.
"The $3.5 million Advanced Distributive Learning project will tie simulation programs into education and also the Internet," Mica stated. "This initiative could be critical to establishing an education element and a substantial anchor for the simulation industry to remain here in Central Florida."
Congress supported Mica’s request to develop Advanced Distributive Learning (ADL), which will combine military simulation programs with Internet technology for education and training purposes. Military personnel, regardless of where they are stationed, will be able to access interactive instructional and classroom programs through the Internet.
"The ADL program will be a joint effort between the University of Central Florida, the Army and the Navy, and will result in significant cost-savings since our military personnel with access to the Internet will not need to physically travel to specific training and educational facilities," said Mica. "This is the first time we will combine simulation technologies and education with advanced uses of the Internet."
The Defense Bill also includes $7 million to continue the Live Fire Testing and Training Initiative, a collaborative effort between all the military simulation agencies, private industry and the University of Central Florida. Initiated by Mica in 1996, the program has now received $19 million in federal support. Central Florida industry has received the majority of grants and contracts from the program, and new advances include the Human Live Patient Simulator, now being used to train military and civilian doctors.
"Expanding these successful programs and the cost-effective use of simulation technology, combined with the Internet and education, will help anchor our community in this high-tech industry," Mica continued. "The bulk of this funding will go directly to the Research Park, where the University of Central Florida, the military and private industry partner to make the Center of Excellence in education, simulation and training."