EB, other companies to gain from defense funding bill

Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Senate signed off Saturday on a final version of the 2010 Defense Appropriations bill that includes funds for Connecticut's defense industry.

U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd hailed the bill, which passed by a vote of 88-10 and now goes to the president for signing, as one that will boost production of aircraft engines and submarine technology.

The bill enables Pratt & Whitney workers in Middletown to manufacture 40 engines for 10 C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, 30 engines for F-35 joint strike fighters, six engines for F-16 fighter jets, and four engines for Joint STARS surveillance aircraft.

The bill provides $3.9 billion for the Virginia-class attack-submarine program and $495 million for the research and development of a new class of ballistic-missile submarines, benefitting Electric Boat in Groton

The bill also appropriates $4.8 million for the development of the Common Command and Control System Module for all U.S. submarines to upgrade technology and lower operating costs, and another $4.4 million for the development of the "future dry deck shelter" to carry a swimmer-delivery vehicle for special operations forces to deploy from submarines.

L-3 Chesapeake Sciences in Stonington will get $3 million for the development of reactive armor to better protect U.S. troops against enemy attacks, and Alion Science and Technology in Mystic will be awarded $3.6 million to improve the active sonar system of the country's submarine force.

There are also several direct funding appropriations for other companies throughout the state.

"This is a big win for Connecticut's defense industry and our highly skilled workers who work day in and day out to provide our troops with the equipment they need to keep our nation safe," Dodd said.