WASHINGTON - The United States Senate is expected this week to approve $75.25 million in defense funding for Rhode Island that U.S. Senator Jack Reed requested as part of the Department of Defense Appropriation Bill for fiscal year (FY) 2006. The President is expected to sign the bill into law shortly after receiving it from Congress."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 includes: $2.25 millionSEACORPS, PortsmouthImproved Surface Vessel Torpedo LauncherThe bill contains $2.25 million for SEACORP, a company in Middletown, to test the production model of support equipment to improve surface vessel torpedo launchers. The new launcher will be contoured into the deck of future ships and incorporate radar absorbent materials for stealth. $2 millionTPI Composites, WarrenComposite Armored Cab ProgramThe bill contains $2 million for TPI Composites in Warren to develop an armored composite that will strengthen a vehicles protective armor while reducing the vehicles weight. In addition, these vehicles will be more mobile, fuel efficient, and able to transport greater loads. Using composite armor solutions will replace heavier, corrosive steel armor solutions. $2 millionRite-Solutions, Inc., MiddletownImproved Shipboard Combat Information Center (CIC)The bill contains $2 million for Rite-Solutions, Inc. of Middletown for the Improved Shipboard Combat Information Center (CIC) to integrate a number of technologies and allow CIC watchstanders to better receive, comprehend and respond to incoming data during combat operations to greatly enhance combat operations whiles reducing the number of CIC operators. $2 millionCSA, TivertonINTERLOCKS Development ToolThe bill contains $2 million for CSA, a company in Tiverton, to provide INTERLOCKS Development tool software. INTERLOCKS currently acts as a Performance Support Systems (PSS) for onboard submarine training and maintenance and is used in operator training and diagnostics for the submarine Tomahawk launch system.$1.5 millionMatrix, East ProvidencePackaging and interconnection technologyThe bill contains $1.5 million for Matrix of East Providence to develop a lower cost, lighter weight, highly integrated electronic and optoelectronic packaging platform based on liquid crystal polymer printed circuits.$2.5 millionASPEN AerogelsFlexible Aerogel Material Supplier InitiativeThe bill contains $2.5 million 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. $1.1 millionMarine Acoustics, MiddletownVoice Activated Handheld TranslatorThe bill contains $1.1 million for Marine Acoustics of Middletown for the Voice Activated Handheld Translator. This technology, first deployed in Afghanistan in 2002, allows Special Operations Forces to communicate with local populations when they do not speak the local language or have a reliable linguist with them. Current research focuses on creating two-way translation capability. Funding will be used to refine, test and demonstrate its capabilities for future acquisition.$1.75 millionAdvanced Solutions for Tomorrow (ASFT), MiddletownAutomated Submarine Command and Control Center (ACCC)The bill contains $1.75 million to initiate the Automated Submarine Command and Control Center (ACCC). The ACCC program will develop automation technologies and arrangements to allow reductions in manning requirements for submarine attack center operations. $1 millionApplied Radar, North KingstownX-Band Interferometric Radar DevelopmentThe bill contains $1 million for X-Band Interferometric Radar development. This radar is a highly- mobile low-cost advanced phased-array radar used to provide precision target tracking capability necessary for counterfire weapons to eliminate threats such as rockets and mortars. Funding will be used for the production of a Phase III fully-functioning prototype radar system, demonstrate precision targeting capabilities for the counterfire mission, and transition this technology to an Army procurement office.$1.2 millionRhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) InitiativeUndersea Perimeter Security Integrated Defense Environment (UPSIDE)The bill contains $1.2 million for the Undersea Perimeter Security Integrated Defense Environment (UPSIDE) project. Funding will be used to develop a prototype undersea detection/classification/response system to help protect shorefront infrastructure. $1.8 millionLiveWave, NewportVirtual Perimeter Monitoring System (VPMS)The bill contains $1.8 million for LiveWave, a company in Newport, to complete development of the Virtual Perimeter Monitoring System (VPMS). VPMS will provide a remote surveillance and monitoring system to assist in protecting our ports and implement distributed sensors to support the establishment of virtual perimeters with video alarms to provide timely information for key personnel to respond to unauthorized vessels attempting entry into our ports.$1 millionNew England Manufacturing Supply ChainThe bill contains $1 million for the New England Manufacturing Supply Chain program to support the New England Defense Manufacturing Supply Chain efforts to assist small and medium manufacturers with supplying equipment and products to the Department of Defense. $2.5 millionBAE SystemsImproved Submarine Towed Array Handler and Array ReliabilityThe bill contains $2.5 million for BAE Systems to improve towed array handlers. 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. This funding would assist the Navy in developing several preliminary functional and physical architectures, define alternatives, design and develop prototypes and conduct testing in order to preserve system performance while increasing system reliability and lowering the life cycle cost of the system. $1.2 millionScott Brass, Inc., CranstonCopper Antimicrobial ProgramThe bill contains $1.2 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. $15 millionElectric Boat, North KingstownSubmarine Support of Joint Undersea Superiority SystemThe bill contains $15 million for Electric Boat in North Kingstown for the Joint Undersea Superiority System to complete the contract design of the Virginia Multi Mission Module to evaluate flexible payload concepts and integrate innovative payloads and sensors into the attack submarine fleet. $3.5 millionRaytheon, PortsmouthMk 48 ADCAP Heavyweight Torpedo ProductionThe bill contains $3.5 million for Raytheon of Portsmouth for heavyweight torpedo production. The Mk 48 ADCAP is carried by all US submarines. The newest variant, Mod 6, includes hardware upgrades to the design and propulsion systems. However, production lines for several critical components have been shut down for more than eight years. This additional funding will requalify and restart critical component manufacturing lines and ensure needed technology insertion to address parts obsolescence issues.$5 millionAquidneck IslandDoD Supplement to Impact Aid FundingThe bill contains $5 million for the Impact Aid program in Aquidneck Island. School districts with a large military presence have higher percentages of students with disabilities than do districts with non-federally connected students, and the costs of providing this education is often higher. Funding will aid these school districts, which are providing specialized programs mostly at local expense, in meeting these childrens special needs.$1 millionCumberland Foundry, CumberlandCastings for Improved Defense ReadinessThe bill contains $1 million for the Cumberland Foundry in Cumberland for the Castings for Improved Defense Readiness program. This program will bring castings expertise into Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) supply centers and cut lead times, reduce backorders, and ensure cost-effective, reliable casting components reach soldiers needs more quickly.$2.7 millionL-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.Laser Marksmanship Training System (LMTS) Fielding Program, Army National GuardThe bill contains $2.7 million for the Laser Marksmanship Training System (LMTS). The LMTS is a comprehensive laser-based marksmanship training system engaging various types of laser sensitive targets using a soldiers own assigned weapon without the use of live ammunition. Funding will enable the Army National Guard to continue procurement of LMTS, providing 500 more systems to train 50,000 Guardsman.$1.75 millionZebra Technologies, WarwickRFID program for improved operational logisticsThe bill contains $1.75 million for Zebra Technologies in Warwick for the procurement and expanded use of high data capacity active Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. RFID can have large memory capacity to secure, obtain and store data. DoD envisions using RFID to supplement bar codes for tracking items.$1 millionBrown UniversityPredictive Tools for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)The bill contains $1 million for Brown University to address the stress related issues soldiers face upon their return from combat duty. Early assessment of PTSD and other conditions arising from service in Iraq and Afghanistan theaters is vital, and providing effective treatment as soon as possible is critical. This funding will allow work to continue for the first 1,500 candidates accepted into the program. $10 millionElectric Boat, North KingstownSSGN UUV Integration ProgramThe bill contains $10 million for Electric Boat in North Kingstown for the development and demonstration of large UUV stowage, launch and recovery system to gain operational insight and an understanding of the key ship integration technologies in support of the Large Displacement Mission Reconfigurable Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (LD-MRUUV). $1.8 millionElectric Boat, North KingstownLarge Aperture Bow (LAB) Array on VIRGINIA Class submarinesThe bill contains $1.8 million for Electric Boat 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. . $1.5 million21st Century Systems, Inc., MiddletownShipboard Automated Reconstruction Capability (SHARC)The bill contains $1.5 million for 21st Century Systems, Inc. in Middletown for Common Picture Advanced Technology for Shipboard Automated Reconstruction Capability (SHARC) to accurately and graphically reconstruct assigned missions. SHARC is a tool capable of accessing the open architecture of the Virginia Class submarine to record pertinent data normally collected by hand and then allow the immediate review of recently collected data by replaying an engagement in a true 2D/3D environment depicting the environment and contact situation as the Commanding Officer experienced it.$2.8 millionKenyon Industries, CharlestownExtended Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS)The bill contains $2.8 million for Kenyon Industries of Charlestown for the Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS). The ECWCS is a set of outerwear (parka, liner, and trousers) designed specifically to provide extraordinary protection during cold and/or wet weather. The ECWCS is a significant contributor to combat readiness by reducing personal discomfort during the most extreme weather conditions, ensuring soldiers are able to operate at optimal levels. $2.4 million Textron, ProvidenceAlternate Payload Munition (AP-BLU)The bill contains $2.4 million for Textron of Providence for the development of an alternate payload munition for anti-personnel/anti-material purposes. Initial research has been completed. $3 millionTextron, ProvidenceGuided Dispenser System for Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAV)The bill contains $3 million for Textron of Providence for the development of a guided dispenser system for unmanned air vehicles (UAVs). This technology will allow UAVs, using GPS guidance, to deliver fuzed munitions, anti-personnel/anti-material munitions and advanced payloads safely to dangerous areas.