From Deseret News archives:
Utah may get defense funding
Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, who sits on the committee, announced several key military projects he included in the bill, focusing on maintaining the military's equipment and training resources.
"As our nation continues to fight conflicts abroad, it is critical that we supply our young men and women in the field with every useful piece of equipment they need to prepare and carry out operations safely," Bennett said. "Utah military installations, defense contractors and universities play an important role in these missions."
Of the $93.5 million for Bennett's requests, $13.5 million would go to upgrade intercontinental ballistic missiles, known as ICBMs, with real-time video devices, which allows forces to response to threats quicker, according to Bennett's office.
The bill also budgets $10 million for equipment to help with technology in airplane frames, such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, while $9 million would give KC-135 aircraft global air traffic management systems that can help pilots choose better flight routes.
Utah State University's Space Dynamics Lab would get $5 million to develop reconnaissance systems and imagery processing technologies.
"The Space Dynamics Lab has once again delivered an impressive technology that provides our troops with the tactical advantage in the field," Bennett said.
Among other provisions, Dugway Proving Ground would get $3.5 million for upgrades, while Hill Air Force Base would get $2 million to improve landing gear design. The base is responsible for 70 percent of military landing gear maintenance work, according to Bennett's office.
The Senate will vote on the bill likely later this month. The House approved its version on Aug. 5, and differences between the two bills would need to be worked out before the chambers would approve it again and send it to the president.
E-mail: suzanne@desnews.com
