Wes Hickman (202) 224-5972 or Kevin Bishop (864) 250-1417

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense has approved several hundred million dollars for projects directly affecting South Carolina. Highlights of South Carolina projects in the bill include: South Carolina Upstate

• The bill appropriates a total of $126.9 million for the P-3 aircraft Anti-Surface Warfare Improvement Program (AIP). The Anti-Surface Warfare Improvement Program greatly expands the P-3C’s capabilities and includes additional advanced technology sensors, expanded communication systems, upgraded weapon delivery capabilities, and survivability upgrades. The plus up includes $26 million for additional AIP kits and $6 million for Tactical Common Data Link. A portion of this work will be done in Greenville.
• $19.6 million dollars is included for a P-3 modernization program of which $12.6 million was added for the AIP phase capability upgrade.
• $15 million for Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMTT) to support prototype development. A portion of this work will be done in Greenville. $1 million for Formidable Aligned Carbon ThermoSets (FACTS), a new composite product for naval aircraft construction. FACTS will allow the design and fabrication of much more efficient designs significantly lowering airframe weight. A significant amount of the development will be conducted in Anderson. South Carolina Midlands
• The bill appropriates a total of $175.2 million for upgrades to the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. The Bradley is a transport and scout vehicle used by infantry and cavalry units. A significant number of components for the Bradley are built in Aiken. $6.9 million for M-249 Squad Automatic Weapons (Army) and $5 million for M-249 Squad Automatic Weapons (Marine Corp) produced in Columbia. The M-249 is a portable, high-fire volume, highly reliable light machine gun which serves as one of the Army and Marine Corps most valuable infantry weapon systems. The bill appropriates a total of $64 million for the AH-64 Vibration Management Enhancement Program (VMEP). The Army has selected the South Carolina National Guard’s VMEP, in conjunction with the University of South Carolina, as the aircraft maintenance diagnostic system for all Army AH-64 Apache and Apache Longbow helicopters.
• $34.6 million for the purchase of thirty-six M109A6 Paladin Howitzers. The Paladin is the most advanced self-propelled howitzer cannon system fielded in the world. The additional 36 Paladins authorized and appropriated are solely for the Army National Guard. A significant number of components for the Paladin are built in Aiken. South Carolina Lowcountry
  • $12 million for continued research and development to create vaccines for the Ebola and Marburg viruses. The research will be conducted in Mt. Pleasant.
  • $4.5 million for continued development of multi-spectral Barium GaloGermanite (BGG) glass window technology, an essential component for airborne reconnaissance systems. Research and development of BGG glass is conducted in Hilton Head.
  • $4 million for the procurement of Quadrangle Containers, produced in Charleston. These shipping containers divide into four separate sections to aid in transport by facilitating the loading and unloading process. Misc.
    • $2 million for the development of an Advanced Electric Drive for military use.
    • $55 million for C-37 Procurement. The Navy has a validated requirement for 5 C-37 aircraft. These aircraft support combatant commanders of forward deployed Navy and Marine Corps forces. "Our state is the tip of the spear for our nation’s armed services," said Graham. "South Carolina is also a leader in military technology and plays a vital role in the war on terrorism. The men and women stationed here, both active duty and reserve components, play a major role in defending American interests around the world and providing freedom.” "I am proud to be from a state that is invaluable to America’s fighting force," said Graham. "We provide the human assets and support systems that make the U.S. military the world’s premier fighting force.” “This bill is important to our men and women in uniform. It provides the crucial technology and equipment on which they depend. South Carolina plays an important role in the defense of our country and our way of life.” The Defense Appropriations Act will be considered by the full Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday. ####