[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 153 (Thursday, September 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1988-E1991]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EARMARK DECLARATION
______
HON. TODD TIAHRT
of kansas
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Mr. TIAHRT. Madam Speaker, in accordance with the February 2008 New
Republican Earmark Standards Guidance, I submit the following in
regards to the Fiscal Year 2009 Department of Defense Appropriations
Act found in H.R. 2638:
Life Support Radio Test Sets for the Air National Guard
The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2009, H.R. 2638,
contains $1,000,000 for Life Support Radio Test Sets for the Air
National Guard in the Air Force, Other Procurement Account. The entity
to receive funding for this project is Aeroflex at 10200 West York
Road, Wichita, KS 67215-8999.
The funds will ensure the functionality of the survival radio
equipment used by Air National Guard aircrew. The money will be used to
allow each squadron to purchase enough test systems so that they can
fulfill their requirement to be available for use in multiple locations
at one time. Unfortunately, insufficient numbers of test sets have been
fielded to address these issues, leading to maintenance backlogs and
also to unfamiliarity with the test set equipment and its procedures on
the part of field maintenance personnel. The cost of each Life Support
Radio Test Set is $52,936. The anticipated source of funding for the
duration of the project is funding from the government, since the
customer is the Air Force.
No matching funds are required for this Department of Defense
project.
Radio Personality Modules for SINCGARS Test Sets
The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2009, H.R. 2638,
contains $2,400,000 for Radio Personality Modules for SINCGARS Test
Sets in the Army, Other Procurement Account. The entity to receive
funding for this project is Aeroflex at 10200 West York Road, Wichita,
KS 67215-8999.
The funds will fund Radio Personality Modules for SINCGARS Test Sets
which capitalize upon existing radio test sets by making them up to 10
times more capable than they were before. Presently, the GRM-122 test
set diagnoses only one type of radio--the SINCGARS. After the proposed
upgrade, the very same tester will be able to test multiple radios in
common use, including: UHF radios, VHF radios, high frequency radios,
intercoms, survival vest radios, and four different types of navigation
radios installed in aircraft on the flight line. This efficient program
saves both time and money. Time, because the technician performing the
test will have the entire test suite he requires at his immediate
disposal on the flight line; and money because the Aviation
Intermediate Maintenance locations equipped with Radio Personality
Modules for SINCGARS Test Sets will not need to acquire nor carry
entire test suites of disparate equipments. The total cost of this
program is $6,670,000; $2,000,000 was marked in FY 2008. If it is not
fully funded, there will be an additional request for the remaining
amount to fund this requirement from the Army in FY 2010. This program
is funded by plus ups from Congress, the Army and the POM (Program
Objective Memorandum) from DoD. The cost of each test suite is
$157,946--there is a need for about 80 test sets in all. In FY '08, $2
million was appropriated, allowing the Army to purchase about 12 units.
The anticipated source of funding for the duration of the project is
funding from the government; the customer is the U.S. Army.
No matching funds are required for this Department of Defense
project.
Directed Energy Systems for UAV Payloads
The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2009, H.R. 2638,
contains $800,000 for Directed Energy Systems for UAV Payloads in the
Defense-wide, RDT&E Account. The entity to receive funding for this
project is ARC Technology at 13076 NW 120th St., Whitewater, KS 67154.
ARC anticipates that federal funds will complete the research and
development of this technology. This technology enables both offensive
and defensive capabilities from UAV platforms that are either
controlled or autonomous. Targets of interest include improvised
explosive devices (IEDs), communications systems, computers,
electronics, radar systems, infrared and acoustic sensors, and GPS
jammers. The FY09 funding addresses additional integration issues,
range extension, packaging issues, and customer performance
verification for incorporation into specific delivery platforms.
Budget for UAV Payload Directed Energy Systems
Percent
Materials.............................................................5
Labor................................................................60
Testing..............................................................20
Performance verification*............................................15
________
Total.........................................................100
* Per customer specifications, to simulate performance in end
applications.
No matching funds are required for this Department of Defense
project.
Core Component Jammer
The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2009, H.R. 2638,
contains $9,000,000 for Core Component Jammer in the Air Force,
Research and Development account. This project is for The Boeing
Corporation located at P.O. Box 7730 MC K71-33, Wichita, KS 67277-7730.
The funds will help the technology maturation, pod development, and
encourage the development of a solution to the problem of the standoff
jamming capability gap (created by the retirement of Navy EA-6Bs in
2012). The additional FY09 funding would help ensure timely fielding of
an Air Force standoff jamming capability as part of the Defense
Department System of Systems approach to protecting U.S. air missions
from threat electronic attack capabilities. The additional funding
would enable a more robust development program in the Air Force which
would help to reduce schedule risk by allowing the Air Force to enhance
its CCJ development activities in FY09.
AFRL Technology Maturation--$68M ($15M for Aircraft Integration
Studies).
Develop Subsystem Spec & Interface Control Documentation.
Paper Concept--Pod design, subsystem installation concept
airworthiness cert impacts, structural impacts, etc.
Analysis/simulation/test of concept design.
FY08 Congressional Add--$4M.
Propose to conduct wind tunnel test of pod integration on aircraft.
FY09 Plus Up Request--$9M.
Complete pod design.
Build two flyable CCJ pods w/o Electronic Attack hardware.
Anticipated source of funding is through the Air Force.
The Air Force projects $3.9B to complete development and to field CCJ
capability through Block 2.
With Air Force CCJ program of record beginning in FY10, total
Congressional funding support would be $4M in FY08 and $9M in FY09.
No matching funds are required for this Department of Defense
project.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Early MS Late
FY08 FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 B FY12 FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16 FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 FY22 FY23 Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ROM Costs:
AEA Tech Mat & Demonstration................................. $8.0 $22.5 $92.5 $139.5 $140.5 ....... $13.0 $11.5 $5.5 ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... $0.0 $433.0
CCJ Development:
Blk 1 SDD................................................ ...... ...... ...... ....... ....... $102.5 $488.0 $389.0 $227.5 $37.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 $0.0 ....... ......... $1,244
Blk 1 Prod............................................... ...... ...... ...... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... $163.1 $346.2 $325.9 $321.3 $272.7 $139.9 $19.9 ....... ......... $1,589
Blk 2 SDD................................................ ...... ...... ...... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... $100.0 $120.0 $85.0 $50.0 $10.0 ....... ....... ......... $365
BLK 2 Prod............................................... ...... ...... ...... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... $63.0 $85.0 $73.0 $50.0 $271
30 & 24 Blk 1 Installs.......................................
Aircraft................................................. ...... ...... ...... ....... ....... ....... ....... 2 (SDD) ....... 2 7 6 5 4 4 ....... ......... .........
Pods..................................................... ...... ...... ...... ....... ....... ....... ....... 2 (SDD) ....... 2 5 5 4 4 2 ....... ......... .........
[[Page E1989]]
Funding Required:
Existing................................................. $8.0 $12.5
FY09 APOM................................................ ...... $10.0 $42.0
FY10 POM................................................. ...... ...... $50.5 $139.5 $140.5
FY12 POM................................................. ...... ...... ...... ....... ....... $102.5 $501.0 $400.5 $396.1 $483.2 $445.9 $406.3 $322.7 $212.9 $104.9 $73.0 $50.0 .........
Total Program.................................................... $8.0 $22.5 $92.5 $139.5 $140.5 $102.5 $501.0 $400.5 $396.1 $483.2 $445.9 $406.3 $322.7 $212.9 $104.9 $73.0 $50.0 $3,902.0
Cumulative: Total Program........................................ $8 $31 $123 $263 $403 $506 $1,007 $1,407 $1,803 $2,286 $2,732 $3,139 $3,461 $3,674 $3,779 $3,852 $3,902.0 .........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Aircraft
The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2009, H.R. 2638,
contains $5,000,000 for Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Aircraft in the Air
Force, Aircraft Procurement Account. The entity to receive funding for
this project is Cessna Aircraft Company at 3 Cessna Blvd., Wichita,
Kansas 67215.
The CAP provides the least expensive airborne emergency services and
Homeland Security services of any agency at approximately $100 per
flying hour. The CAP budgets through the USAF for acquisition of new
aircraft to modernize the fleet, maintain operational readiness, and
contribute to the Homeland Security. The FY09 USAF Budget Submission
only provides $2.44M (6 A/C) for CAP aircraft acquisition. The
additional funding will procure additional aircraft for CAP.
No matching funds are required for this Department of Defense
project.
Demonstration Project for Contractors Employing Persons with
Disabilities
The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2009, H.R. 2638,
contains $2,400,000 for Demonstration Project for Contractors Employing
Persons with Disabilities in the Air Force, Operation & Maintenance.
The entities to receive funding for this project are Cerebral Palsy
Research Foundation located at 5111 East 21st Street, Wichita, Kansas
67208 and Envision located at 2301 South Water, Wichita, Kansas 67213.
The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2009, contains
$2,400,000 for Demonstration Project for Contractors Employing Persons
with Disabilities in the Air Force, Operation & Maintenance. The
entities to receive funding for this project are Cerebral
Palsy Research Foundation located at 5111 East 21st Street, Wichita,
Kansas 67208 and Envision located at 2301 South Water, Wichita, Kansas
67213.
The program is authorized under H.R. 1588; Demonstration Project for
Contractors Employing Persons With Disabilities. The purpose of the
demonstration project is to provide jobs for people with severe
disabilities who otherwise would not be fully employed. The national
unemployment rate for people with severe disabilities is 70%. It is in
the national best interest for the government to provide, and fund,
programs which have as a purpose to lower this rate. Disabled
individuals employed under the Demonstration Project are able to live
independent lives and are able to pay their share of employment taxes
and income taxes. These individuals, when employed, contribute to the
growth of our economy. As a result of the Demonstration Project for
Contractors Employing Persons with Disabilities, the U.S. Air Force
Printing Office has engaged in an ongoing relationship with Envision
Corporation in Wichita, Kansas. This relationship has been very
successful in accomplishing not only the goal of furthering employment
opportunities for the blind, but also in providing the U.S. Air Force
Printing Office with funding and manpower it would otherwise not have.
To date, the U.S. Air Force has advised of the need for additional work
totaling approximately $8 Million.
As a result of the Demonstration Project for Contractors Employing
Persons with Disabilities, the U.S. Air Force Office of Personnel and
Management has engaged in an ongoing relationship with The Cerebral
Palsy Research Foundation in Wichita, Kansas. This relationship has
been very successful in accomplishing not only the goal of furthering
employment opportunities for the severely disabled, but also in
providing the U.S. Air Force Office of Personnel and Management with
funding and manpower it would otherwise not have for the purpose of
digitizing all paper records of its personnel. To date, the U.S. Air
Force has advised of the need for additional work totaling
approximately $11 Million.
The United States Air Force Personnel community is undergoing the
most extensive reengineering effort in history. This effort includes
streamlining processes and centralizing where it makes sense to do so
by leveraging technology, and shifting the service model to a greater
reliance on self-service. A key enabler to achieving the desired end
state is a shift from paper-intensive personnel transitions and
document storage to a near-paperless environment as spelled out in the
AF/A1 E-Records Strategy document. A key milestone in achieving an E-
Record environment is conversion of current paper document repositories
into a centralized digital repository. There are approximately 13
million pages of paper records that need to be scanned. Currently we
are operating in option year two of a five year plan.
No matching funds are required for this Department of Defense
project.
Laser Peening for Friction Stir Welded Aerospace Structures
The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2009, H.R. 2638,
contains $1,600,000 for Laser Peening for Friction Stir Welded
Aerospace Structures in the Department of the Air Force, RDT&E Account.
The entity to receive funding for this project is Curtiss-Wright Metal
Improvement Company at 1618 Ida, Wichita, Kansas 67211.
The program will demonstrate the benefits of laser peening on
subscale components with identical geometry of targeted DoD aircraft
components, quantify anticipated improvement in performance, lifetime
extension and cost reduction of full size DoD aircraft components, and
demonstrate the technology for use with large wing structures to
achieve substantial material and operational savings for the military.
Funding will support the following activities:
Engineering and Planning--$150,000.
Test Article Design & Analysis--$450,000.
Test Article Fabrication--$400,000.
Test Article Welding--$100,000.
Test Article Laser Peening--$150,000.
Test Article Fatigue Testing--$600,000.
Engineering Applications for Aircraft component Evaluation: $450,000.
Analysis & Reporting--$300,000.
Overhead & Administration: $300,000.
No matching funds are required for this Department of Defense
project.
C-130 ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION SYSTEMS
The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2009, H.R. 2638,
contains $1,600,000 for C-130 Active Noise Cancellation Systems in the
Department of the Air Force, Aircraft Procurement Account. The entity
to receive funding for this project is Global Aviation Technologies,
located at 2629 W May, Wichita, Kansas 67213.
Anticipated Sources of Funding: In FY-08, the National Guard Bureau
contributed $0.5M in NGREA funds to the program, and we anticipate that
will continue in FY-09. The primary source of funds for FY-10 and
beyond will be the Air National Guard and Air Force POM and program
funds. Justification of federal funding: ANCS is a program of record,
and federal funds have been appropriated each year since the FY-06. The
ANCS System is included in the Air National Guard FY-09 Weapons Systems
Modernization Requirements desired capabilities list. The C-130 Active
Noise Cancellation (ANC) is a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) product
that will reduce crew fatigue and associated hearing loss by greatly
reducing the unhealthy noise levels in the C-130 cockpit. Over 700 ANC
systems are in use throughout the world in commercial airline
applications, and the system has been fully tailored for the C-130H
with no additional non-recurring integration work required. The system
has been proven highly reliable in commercial use and requires no
scheduled maintenance. C-130 cockpit noise exceeds 100 decibels, a
noise level at which it is difficult to communicate clearly, and which
causes fatigue and loss of crew coordination. Additionally, this noise
level is well above the permanent hearing loss threshold (established
by OSHA at 85 decibels). The Ultra ANC
system cancels noise by introducing equal amplitude/opposite phase
sound
[[Page E1990]]
into the cockpit via a distributed speaker system. A sophisticated
control system samples the noise throughout the cockpit several times a
second and drives the speaker outputs to provide maximum quieting.
Based on FY-08 pricing, the anticipated installed price will be $260K
per C-130 aircraft.
No matching funds are required for the Department of Defense program.
AT-6B Capabilities Demonstration for the Air National Guard
The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2009, H.R. 2638,
contains $6,000,000 for AT-6B Capabilities Demonstration for the Air
National Guard in the Air Force, RDT&E Account. The entity to receive
funding for this project is Hawker Beechcraft Corporation at 9709 E
Central Ave, Wichita, Kansas 67201.
The funding would be for the development of an AT-6B. The Air
National Guard (ANG), has stated a requirement to fill equipment
capability gaps in support of the mission to conduct Joint Terminal
Attack Controller (JTAC) Training, as well as Homeland Defense,
Homeland Security, and Civil Support mission capabilities training that
support DoD, DHS, and State mission requirements. The AT-6B is an
affordable, sustainable and responsive aircraft tailored to the
NetCentric intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and
light attack missions. The AT-6B meets the needs of top level U.S.
National Strategic Guidance, including the 2006 Quadrennial Defense
Review, at a fraction of the cost and a fraction of the infrastructure
requirements of jet fighters. The AT-6B offers Air Force Special
Operations Command (AFSOC) an asset tailored to increase airman-to-
airman engagement with partner Air Forces vital to meeting U.S.
national security objectives. It is a crosscutting enabler critical to
expanding foreign partnerships and expanding partnership airpower
capacity. Estimated cost of the AT-6B capabilities flight demonstration
is approximately $21 million. Approximately $11 million = Industry
costs to build and provide one fully equipped AT-6B demonstrator
aircraft. Hawker Beechcraft will provide this portion of the total
cost. The capital investment required to deliver a fully operational
flight demonstration aircraft also leverages a significant corporate
IR&D investment made to develop the AT-6B aircraft which is not
included in the $11 million industry contribution. In addition to the
actual capital investment in building the aircraft, the contractor also
intends to provide sensors and other mission equipment on loan to the
Air Force in support of the demonstration, thereby further reducing
government costs. Approximately $10 million = Government costs to fund
government-run flight test, including: government program management
costs, range instrumentation costs, aircraft operating costs, Air Force
directed mission equipment integration costs, and contractor
engineering and support services in support of demonstration.
No matching funds are required. However, the contractor is providing
over half the total estimated costs of the AT-6B capabilities flight
demonstration.
development of improved lighter-weight ied/efp armor solutions
The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2009, H.R. 2638,
contains $1,000,000 for Development of Improved Lighter-Weight IED/EFP
Armor Solutions in the Department of the Army, RDT&E Account. The
entity to receive funding for this project is Leading Technology
Composites at 2626 West May, Wichita, KS 67213.
This funding is to develop and field Lightweight IED/EFP Armor
Solutions for the U.S. Military. These improved solutions will reduce
weight, increase payload and maneuverability, and defeat the current
battle field threats. Innovative solutions to reduce current system
weights resulting in increased payload, maneuverability. Finance Plan:
Materials--40 percent; Processing--10 percent; Test and Analysis--30
percent; STE--5 percent; Labor--15 percent.
No matching funds are required for the Department of Defense program.
maintenance personnel at the 931st air refueling group
The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2009, H.R. 2638,
contains $4,000,000 for Department of the Air Force, Operations and
Maintenance Air Force Reserve Account to hire additional Maintenance
Personnel at the 931st Air Refueling Group. The entity to receive
funding for this project is the 931St Refueling Group, McConnell Air
Force, 2801 N Rock Rd, Wichita, Kansas 67226.
When the Air Force Reserve's 931st Air Refueling Group (ARG) at
McConnell Air Force Base was created, it did not include any
maintenance manpower. This has resulted in a personnel shortfall at the
931St of 12 Drill Officer, 304 Drill Enlisted, and 100 ART Civilian
personnel. This shortfall has caused tremendous burden of maintenance
personnel at the co-located active duty 22nd Air Refueling Wing and
hindered the operational readiness of both the 22nd and 931st. Over the
past several years, I have worked to address this problem and ensure
full-manning at the 931st. By working with the leadership of Air Force,
the 22nd, and the 931st, we have crafted a workable solution. This
solution would gradually add the necessary personnel over the Fiscal
Years 2008 and 2009. The earmark is necessary to begin implementation
of this solution and ensure the 931st ARG has enough personnel to
fulfill its critical mission. The funding is for RPA funds (MILPERS) =
$2.195M; DHP (MEHRC) = $.614M; Civ Pay (O&M) = $4.883M.
No matching funds are required for the Department of Defense program.
accelerated insertion of advanced materials
The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2009, H.R. 2638,
contains $3,000,000 for Accelerated Insertion of Advanced Materials in
the Department of the Air Force, RDT&E Account. The entity to receive
funding for this project is Wichita State University at 1845 Fairmount
St, Wichita, 67260.
This program will provide a breakthrough in technology integration
and will achieve significant cost and cycle-time reductions in new
material insertion through (a) data-sharing among multiple users, (b)
statistical continuity from one length-scale to another and (c) reduced
testing via increased capability and use of numerical/analytical
simulation tools. Anticipated benefits include reductions in
nonrecurring and recurring program qualification costs and introduction
of multiple sources of new advanced material forms. Unlike structures
that use metallic materials in the manufacturing process, the material
properties of a composite are manufactured into the structure as part
of the fabrication process. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that
critical parameters pertaining to composite materials and their
production processes are identified to facilitate adherence to
standards in the final engineered part. Presently, each original
equipment manufacturer (OEM) is responsible for this assurance,
creating ``customized'', nonstandard procedures for quality and safety
assurance. DoD aircraft repair and modification efforts are extremely
important because (a) difficulty in this area can lead to the rejection
of a structural or material concept in the preliminary design phase,
(b) they form a significant part of the total ownership cost and can
drive fleet life-cycle decisions, (c) they provide opportunities to
insert new material concepts quickly and at minimal cost, and (d) the
type and level of engineering effort for repair/modification
qualification in large military and commercial transport aerospace
applications closely equates to that of full-design efforts. This
program will seek to provide the DoD with a solution to this problem
and eliminate the costly material insertion that exists for new
programs or retrofitting materials used on legacy aircraft as well as
enable United States aerospace leadership. This program is also
supported by the aviation industry and composite material supplier
industry and has over a 1:1 leverage factor.
Anticipated Sources of Funding during Project Duration: DoD (Air
Force), State of Kansas, Aviation Industry, Composite Material
Suppliers. No matching funds are required for the Department of Defense
program.
aging aircraft fleet support
The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2009, H.R. 2638,
contains $1,600,000 for Aging Aircraft Fleet Support in the Department
of the Navy, RDT&E Account. The entity to receive funding for this
project is Wichita State University at 1845 Fairmount St, Wichita,
67260.
Most of the aging research being conducted presently is focused on
metallic structures. In addition to the ongoing research in aging
metallic structures, the requested appropriation will permit NIAR to
partner with the NAVY and investigate the effects of aging on composite
structures as well as composite/metallic hybrid structures. As more
composite components are being certified and used on primary and
``flight critical'' secondary structures, a future need of the military
and commercial aviation industry will be the investigation of these
composite structures and the assurance of the airworthiness of
composite components. NIAR already has a background in this through
partnerships with the FAA by investigating Boeing 737 composite tail
structures which flew commercial service for over 20 years and by
examining the first of all composite certified aircraft recently taken
out of service, the Beechcraft Starship. Lessons learned from this
research will provide insight into the aging aspects of other composite
aircraft structures and influence the use of advanced materials on new
aircraft being proposed for military service as well as maintenance of
the existing fleet. Benefit to DoD and Justification for Use of Federal
Taxpayer Dollars: The biggest concerns with aging aircraft are the
unknowns that emerge with little or no warning, raising the concern
that an unexpected phenomenon may suddenly jeopardize an entire fleet's
flight safety, mission readiness, or support costs. The DoD can benefit
from the direct application of the research results into fleet
management strategies as well as proactive provide strategies that will
reduce the cost of maintenance for advanced materials used on military
aircraft.
[[Page E1991]]
Anticipated Sources of Funding during Project Duration: DoD (Navy),
FAA, Aviation Industry. Percent and Sources of Matching Funds: 25
percent--FAA; 10 peercent--Aviation Industry. No matching funds are
required for the Department of Defense program.
nanocomposites for lightning protection of composite aircraft
structures
The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2009, H.R. 2638,
contains $1,200,000 for Nanocomposites for Lightning Protection of
Composite Aircraft Structures in the Department of the Air Force, RDT&E
Account. The entity to receive funding for this project is Wichita
State University at 1845 Fairmount St, Wichita, 67260.
Nonmetallic military (manned and unmanned) aircraft are vulnerable to
lightning strike and airworthiness assurance is threatened. For
example, FAA certified aircraft are typically struck by lightning once
or twice a year. Unlike their metal counterparts, composite structures
do not readily conduct away the extreme electrical currents and
electromagnetic forces generated by lightning strikes. Composite
materials are either not conductive at all (e.g. fiberglass) or are
significantly less conductive than metals (e.g. carbon fiber). For this
reason, lightning strike protection has been a significant concern
since the first composites were used on aircraft more than 30 years
ago. This program will seek to advance the development and operation of
a nanocomposite based methodology addressing lightning strike
protection on composite airframe structures in Department of Defense
aircraft applications. Recent advances in the addition of
nanocomponents to advanced composite materials have shown the potential
for reducing lightning strike damage to composite airframe structures.
A variety of nanoconstituents known for their conductivity and high
aspect ratio have been recently analyzed under an exploratory Air Force
study and have shown great promise for the incorporation of this
technology into a manufacturing environment. This research focus and
funding will work in coordination with the Air Force Research
Laboratory (AFRL) at Wright Patterson AFB to advance research into
possible commercial applications that may be used in production. This
will enable aircraft operation (manned and unmanned) in all
environments without restrictions.
Anticipated Sources of Funding during Project Duration: DoD (Air
Force), State of Kansas, Aviation Industry. Percent and Sources of
Matching Funds: 20 percent match--State of Kansas; 20 percent match--
Aviation Industry. No matching funds are required for the Department of
Defense program.
composite small main rotor blade
The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2009, H.R. 2638,
contains $1,600,000 for development of a Composite Small Main Rotor
Blade in the Department of the Army, RDT&E Account. The entity to
receive funding for this project is Plastic Fabricating division of
Kaman Aerospace Corporation at 1650 South McComas Street, Wichita, KS
67213.
It is my understanding that the funding would be used to continue
development on the Composite Small Main Rotor Blade which would replace
the legacy main rotor blade on the U.S. Army's A/MH-6 Little Bird
helicopter. The Little Bird, flown by the U.S. Army's 160th Special
Operations Aviation Regiment, has been heavily modified to better meet
operational needs; however, the main rotor blade, a critical dynamic
component, has not been upgraded to modern standards. Constructed of
metal, this blade is highly susceptible to damage and fatigue, and
since metal lacks ballistic tolerance, the blades leave the aircraft
especially vulnerable to enemy weapons in hostile action. Moreover,
when gunners fire their weapons from the aircraft, expended shell
casings can cause minor skin dents, and even these small dents require
that the blades be replaced. The Composite Small Main Rotor Blade takes
advantage of the inherent ballistic tolerance of composite
construction, advanced aerodynamic design, and state-of-the-art
erosion-resistant materials and will significantly improve the safety,
reliability, performance--and survivability--of the aircraft.
Specifically, the blades will increase damage tolerance, enhancing
survivability in hostile environments, and improve hover performance,
increase operating ceiling, increase maximum forward speed, all adding
to the aircraft's maneuverability and performance envelope. The
composite blades will also improve erosion resistance, experience
better field reparability, and reduce the cost and logistics burden
related to premature metal blade replacement due to damage. Funds are
requested to fabricate production tooling, fabricate FAA certification
blades, and conduct FAA certification ground testing. Composite Small
Main Rotor Blades will (1) make the A/MH-6 Little Bird helicopter more
survivable in hostile environments; (2) expand the flight envelope of
the aircraft; and (3) reduce logistics burden and cost associated with
supporting the legacy blade.
No matching funds are required for the Department of Defense program.
vigilant, an auto-id and access control facility
The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2009, H.R. 2638,
contains $1,600,000 for development of Vigilant an auto-ID and access
control facility at the McConnell ANG facility in the Department of the
Army, RDT&E Account. The entity to receive funding for this project is
the 184th Air National Guard at McConnell Air Force Base, located at
2801 N Rock Rd, Wichita, Kansas 67226.
Anticipated sources of funding for the duration of the project: It is
anticipated that the funding for the Vigilant Sentinel multi-year
effort will be provided by Federal Government support. Vigilant
Sentinel will enable the National Guard to continue to be a quality
first responder in the field by providing a quality, cost-effective
security system in a fixed location or mobilized via UAVs that can be
customized to each user's security requirements without being
intrusive. The proposed FY09 funding of $2.0M will be utilized for
Phase 4 in developing the system to start the transition into a mobile
sensor network. FY09 funding will be executed on a 50 percent Camber
Corporation and 50 percent 184th Kansas Air National Guard McConnell
AFB, Wichita, KS. Camber Corporation: (50 percent/$1,300,000) 1st
phase; prototype a mobile unmanned perimeter sensor network that will
enable the National Guard to secure an area with a minimum of manpower.
The second phase is to integrate handheld devices to read valid
Government IDs and validate them through available communication
networks (satellite uplink, cell, wireless) thereby enabling the
National Guard to quickly and accurately ID people during a first
response to a disaster or National emergency. 184th Kansas Air National
Guard, McConnell AFB, Wichita, KS: (50 percent / $1,300,000) Finalize
Phase 3, a working prototype to provide secured coverage over multiple
locations for fixed site security currently being installed and tested
at McConnell Air Force Base.
No matching funds are required for this Department of Defense
project.
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