Defense bill helps Fayette economy
U.S. Rep. John Murtha said the Defense Appropriations bill passed last week by the U.S. House of Representatives contains funding to continue several key national programs that are managed or manufactured by companies or institutions in Fayette County. “These programs are vital to our national security, and I’m proud of the work done by companies in the 12th Congressional District,” Murtha said. “These employees are both supporting our troops by providing quality products and reducing the nation’s military costs by producing them at competitive prices.”
The legislation now goes to the Senate for consideration.
Included in the bill are allocations for the following:
– Advanced Acoustic Concepts, North Union Township, for a new Air Force program to address flight safety obstructions and aeronautical data, and in partnership with Chantilly, Va.-based Planning Systems Inc., acoustic sensor and counter-sniper device research and development
– Argon ST, Lemont Furnace, for information technology and communications enhancements, and development of torpedo countermeasures
– Coherent Systems, Uniontown, for research and development of electronic warfare systems for the Navy
– ProLogic, Uniontown, for multiple information management systems and communications integration programs
– QTL Biosystems, Connellsville, for a hand-held biosensor and continuous monitor for a biodetector.
Murtha also worked to direct funding to area colleges and universities for projects that benefit the military. Schools that will receive funding under the bill are as follows:
– California University of Pennsylvania, in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University, for continued work on development of a robotics curriculum within the engineering discipline at the undergraduate level.
Penn State University, at the University Park campus and Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, for improvements to the anti-torpedo multi-mission undersea weapon, testing of unmanned undersea vehicles and undersea weapon development, and a program to aid the Department of Defense in non-lethal technology research, development, testing and training
Additionally, Murtha noted that health-care initiatives funded in the measure include money for
Highlands Hospital for support for Department of Defense research on post-traumatic stress syndrome.