Washington, Jun 7, 2005 -

Today, in efforts to secure and defend our homeland, U.S. Representative John R. Carter’s (TX-31) requests in the Defense Appropriations Bill for FY 2006 were approved by the House Appropriations Committee, on which Carter sits.

“These funds will help us continue the fight on terror and offer new technology to help our troops complete their duties more effectively and efficiently,” said Carter.

Texas A&M and the University of Texas at Austin will receive $2 million, to continue efforts in Bioaerosol Sampling research.  The funding will go toward the Phase II of the effort which will be directed towards advanced technology for the recognized needs of future force protection bioaerosol sampling and detection requirements.  The technology targeted for force protection would be specifically applicable to military bases, airbases and port facilities.  The instruments will be capable of operation for significant periods of time at either fixed sites or in remote areas.  The resultant fielded systems will be autonomous, distributed, and highly networked.

In addition, Texas A&M, the University of Texas at Austin and Ft. Hood will receive a million to continue a successful joint program that supports the Army’s digitization program, a key component to Army Transformation.

“This great example shows that our higher education institutions can work with our military to advance battlefield technologies,” said Carter who made the appropriations request. “Both of these universities are leaders on homeland security and defense technology and it only makes sense that they work with our nation’s leading military installation, Ft. Hood.” 

Faculty, staff, students and research engineers work at Ft. Hood with soldiers and leaders to address issues of operational and technical significance to the user. Carter said, “The continuation of this program is essential to our military, and I am proud to help secure it.”

            The bill also funds Carter’s Department of Defense request to spend an additional $12.6 million, for a total of $14.486 million, toward permits, identification and development of new vehicle technologies for the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles, to be called FMTV A2. The FMTV A2 will be the most advanced tactical truck in the world incorporating a variety of features including an armored cab, driver vision enhancements and smart load handling capabilities.

            “Movement on the battlefield is imperative and the FMTV has given us a leading advantage on the battlefield for over ten years.  I am proud to see that we can rely on the Stewart and Stevenson to have the foresight to make an advanced vehicle that will not only provide superior movement on the battlefield, but most importantly protect our soldiers and give them advanced resources,” Carter said.  

Funding was also allocated for procurement and continued modernization of the Army Legacy Logistic Systems Modernization (SAMS-E), which updates the existing DOS-based Army inventory tracking system into a more efficient and user friendly Windows environment.

 “This funding will help grease the wheel and enhance the way the Army tracks inventory, maintenance and financial data,” said Carter. The $7 million assigned will improve inventory tracking and control to help reduce the $80 million dollars spent in incorrect requisitions.

Carter is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and sits on the Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security and Foreign Operations subcommittees.