[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 100 (Tuesday, June 17, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          EARMARK DECLARATION

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                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 17, 2008

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Madam Speaker, I submit the following:
  Requesting Member: Rep. Christopher H. Smith.
  Bill Number: H.R. 5658.
  Account: Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Navy Account.
  Legal Name of Requesting Entity: McGee Industries Incorporated.
  Address of Requesting Entity: Nine Crozerville Road, PO Box 2425, 
Aston, PA 19014.
  Description of Request: The next generation aircraft carriers will be 
built using new technology that replaces the traditional steam 
catapults with an Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS). The 
environment around aircraft carrier catapults is among the most 
corrosive (i.e. seawater spray, heat, deck contaminants) with which the 
Navy must contend. No reliable corrosion or fracture data exists for 
the new EMALS materials and configuration operating in a catapult-like 
environment. A T&E program initiated to develop design-specific 
corrosion data under simulated catapult conditions needs to be 
continued in order to permit further design refinement, that will: (1) 
prevent premature component failures (2) minimize costly fleet 
maintenance and (3) enhance operational readiness.
  Corrosion protection is an important element in producing a durable, 
highly reliable EMALS that will meet or exceed all Navy performance 
goals. It can be expected that unforeseen corrosion issues will arise 
as full-scale development, testing, and implementation of the EMALS 
proceeds. There is a window to generate corrosion data and recommend 
changes through 2009. Corrosion fatigue and stress corrosion cracking 
are critical problems that if addressed correctly, would improve 
performance, extend their life cycle and lower Operation and 
Maintenance costs for the carriers and their test facilities. Fracture 
mechanics testing of various corrosion control alternatives in a 
realistically simulated environment is required to resolve these 
concerns.
  Detailed Finance Plan--McGee Industries: The total cost of this 
program has been valued at $3,000,000. We will need to design and 
develop load frames that will replicate the harsh catapult trough 
environment. Test equipment will need to be built that simulates the 
heat extremes, vibration effects, various deck contaminate and their 
effects on corrosion. All of these parameters will need to be monitored 
on a periodic basis to assure that we are simulating the EMALS 
operating conditions. At present we plan to evaluate more than 20 
different chemicals and coatings.
  The research program planned will follow the direction of the testing 
results and the direction of appropriate NAVAIR personnel. We estimate 
that we will need man hours for chemists, engineers, technicians and 
laboratory services as well as clerical and administrative support.
  Breakdown of the Requested Funding: $1,250,000 for Design and Test 
Equipment; $500,000 for Laboratory Supplies and Equipment; $750,000 for 
Man Hours for Chemists, Engineers, Technicians; $250,000 
Administrative, Travel; $250,000 Technical Assistance from Research 
Institutes.
  Though this program is specifically directed at the EMALS system 
controlled by NAVAIR, McGee Industries plans to include updates 
pertinent to NAVSEA. Corrosion issues and improved corrosion protection 
are a problem throughout all military branches due to the age of 
existing equipment and the harsh environments which they must operate 
in successfully. Thus, this program offers conditioned maintenance 
improvements for the Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines and the Coast 
Guard.

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