Development News From Southwest Indiana

The Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center is expected to receive $5.5 million for use on several military projects.

The center will use $2.5 million as part of a partnership with Purdue University and ATA Airlines Inc. to develop a system to protect commercial airplanes from terrorist missile threats. In addition, $3 million will go towards increasing the capabilities of unmanned aerial vehicles.

Source: Inside INdiana Business

Press Release

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Evan Bayh today announced that he has helped secure $5.5 million for Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center for work to protect commercial airplanes from terrorist missile threats and to increase the capabilities of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The funding was included as part of the FY 2006 Department of Defense (DoD) Appropriations bill, which the Senate passed today. The Senate bill will now be reconciled with the House version in conference committee, before going to the President’s desk for final approval.

“As we increase security inside airports and on their immediate grounds, we also need to protect travelers from a terrorist missile threat, by equipping commercial planes with the same missile-evading technology our military planes use,” Senator Bayh said. “This funding will allow the people at Crane, along with Purdue University and ATA Airlines, to develop technology that will help safeguard commercial planes from missile sensors.”

The $2.5 million will be used by Crane, Purdue University and ATA Airlines in a collaborative effort to reduce the threat posed by terrorist missile threats. Researchers will develop an Infrared Suppression system to reduce the heat emitted by commercial airplanes that missiles use to lock-on to the planes. Last year, Bayh helped secure $1.3 million for Infrared Suppression.

In addition to the funding to reduce missile threats to commercial planes, Senator Bayh also helped secure $3 million for Crane to improve the performance capabilities of unmanned aerial vehicles. Employees at Crane will work with the Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) corporation to make improvements on the UAVs, including the potential to be used to detect and destroy Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

“The research performed at Crane will someday help protect soldiers from roadside bombs,” Senator Bayh said. “I’m working hard to provide our troops with the armored vehicles they need to stay safe when a roadside bomb explodes, but it is even better if we can find a way to stop them from exploding in the first place.”

The funding Bayh secured will help speed the improvements on the UAVs, ensuring that our troops receive the information and protection they need sooner.

Source: Office of Indiana Senator Evan Bayh (D)