[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 161 (Thursday, December 15, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2553]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            SUPPORT FOR MILITARY TECHNOLOGICAL CAPABILITIES

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                         HON. MICHAEL T. McCAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 15, 2005

  Mr. McCAUL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, our military forces need and 
deserve ample resources and superior technological capabilities to 
remain strong, which requires ongoing development efforts by both the 
public and private sector.
  In fact, some of the military's most innovative technologies are 
being developed by small companies. Two examples are in the 10th 
District of Texas, with each of these Austin-based companies developing 
a technology with significant military value. To accelerate the 
availability of these new technologies for military applications, I 
have recommended that funding support be included in the Department of 
Defense Appropriations Act for 2006.
  One of the technologies is a unique 3-D holographic imaging system 
developed by Zebra Imaging, which will soon be deployed by the Army in 
Iraq for intelligence and operational uses. The $2.25 million requested 
for this technology would advance the current non-portable imaging 
system to a field deployable unit for combat forces, with this 
capability available within 24 months. Army intelligence and 
operational units have urged the acceleration of this development 
effort because of the strategic and tactical value to combat troops, 
which the requested funding seeks to achieve.
  The second technology is in the field of micro-electronics and 
involves RF MEMS switches and relays under development by TeraVicta 
Technologies. These micro devices, which provide enormous advances in 
the size, capabilities and performance of military electronics, are key 
to achieving faster and more powerful network communications, radar and 
satellite systems. The $2.25 million requested will accelerate 
TeraVicta's development work, specifically supporting a program to 
bring RF MEMS switches to a production-ready status and available for a 
variety of military applications.
  These two technologies are recognized within the military as crucial 
developments, and I hope the Defense Appropriators provide the 
necessary funding to quickly bring them to operational use.

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