[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 75 (Wednesday, May 7, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E842]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         SUPPORT FOR THE COPPER-BASE CASTING TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 7, 2008

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, I wish to express my 
strong support for the Copper-Base Casting Technology Program, C-BCT, a 
program of great importance to the people of South Carolina, as well as 
the men and women serving in the United States military at home and 
overseas. The C-BCT program is a cooperative relationship between the 
copper industry and the Department of Defense, working to apply high-
performance copper alloys in military applications.
  Since it's inception in 2004, the C-BCT program has provided 
multiple, breakthrough technologies for defense and industrial systems 
that have benefits for all branches of the military. Advances include 
the design and creation of prototype high-efficiency induction motors 
using copper rotors. Copper rotors increase motor energy efficiency, 
lower manufacturing costs due to reductions in overall materials used, 
increase motor life, and reduce motor weight and size. C-BCT provides 
the military a technology that has produced crucial advances for the 
American war-fighter in land base, shipboard, and aerospace 
applications and has done so in a cost-effective manner.
  I would like to recognize Daniel Gearing with the Defense Logistics 
Agency, DLA, for his support and oversight of the launching of C-BCT. 
In addition, Victor Champagne with the Army Research Lab, ARL, has 
begun advanced work to apply C-BCT in applications that advance the 
defense community requirements. The applications are driven by the need 
for higher efficiency, lighter weight, lower cost, environmentally 
friendly, and more reliable materials. Reduced weight, in particular, 
is a common goal for all weapon systems and logistics support items. 
With DLA and ARL's commitment to continue the success of C-BCT, 
advances to date may soon be brought to our service men and women 
serving overseas. Together with the Copper Development Association and 
the Advanced Technology Institute, these organizations are working to 
demonstrate and evaluate copper's ultimate potential for our military.
  I recognize the crucial benefits that C-BCT offers both the domestic 
copper industry and the U.S. armed services as well as the successes of 
the current program and the critical nature of copper in most military 
applications.

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