OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Support for Military Technological Capabilities

Date: Dec. 15, 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Military Personnel


SUPPORT FOR MILITARY TECHNOLOGICAL CAPABILITIES -- (Extensions of Remarks - December 15, 2005)

SPEECH OF HON. MICHAEL T. McCAUL OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2005

* Mr. MCCAUL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, our military forces need and deserve ample resources and superior technological capabilities to remain strong, which requires ongoing development efforts by both the public and private sector.

* In fact, some of the military's most innovative technologies are being developed by small companies. Two examples are in the 10th District of Texas, with each of these Austin-based companies developing a technology with significant military value. To accelerate the availability of these new technologies for military applications, I have recommended that funding support be included in the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for 2006.

* One of the technologies is a unique 3-D holographic imaging system developed by Zebra Imaging, which will soon be deployed by the Army in Iraq for intelligence and operational uses. The $2.25 million requested for this technology would advance the current non-portable imaging system to a field deployable unit for combat forces, with this capability available within 24 months. Army intelligence and operational units have urged the acceleration of this development effort because of the strategic and tactical value to combat troops, which the requested funding seeks to achieve.

* The second technology is in the field of micro-electronics and involves RF MEMS switches and relays under development by TeraVicta Technologies. These micro devices, which provide enormous advances in the size, capabilities and performance of military electronics, are key to achieving faster and more powerful network communications, radar and satellite systems. The $2.25 million requested will accelerate TeraVicta's development work, specifically supporting a program to bring RF MEMS switches to a production-ready status and available for a variety of military applications.

* These two technologies are recognized within the military as crucial developments, and I hope the Defense Appropriators provide the necessary funding to quickly bring them to operational use.

http://thomas.loc.gov/

arrow_upward