Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2024

Floor Speech

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Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Chair, this amendment provides $11 million within Army Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation, Line 44, for the Autonomous Vehicle Mobility project to modernize combat vehicles for multi-domain operations.

The development of next generation combat vehicles for multi-domain battle operations is one of the Army's six modernization priorities. These military vehicles are meant to increase the firepower, speed, and survivability of land forces, allowing them to maneuver into superior positions on the battlefield and to pair with robotic vehicles. The has been actively conducting basic and applied R&D of autonomous ground vehicles, but additional resources are needed to successfully transition novel technologies into functioning prototypes.

This amendment provides funding to establish the nation's first national-level laboratory facility of the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle Systems Center. The facility will be dedicated to autonomous mobility, maneuverability, and energy efficiency with an emphasis on complex terrains and adversarial environments. It will serve as a research hub and amplify collaboration between the U.S. military, universities, industry partners, and NATO nations. The results of such collaboration will enable our troops to have an unparalleled edge on the battlefield and in tactical situations.

I urge my colleagues to support this modest investment and to vote in favor of En Bloc No. 2.

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Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Chair, this amendment offered by Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick and myself provides a modest $8.4 million within Army Research, Development, Evaluation and Testing, Line 59, Night Vision System Advanced Development, for the Micro-LED Soldier Systems Display Prototype.

The funds provided by this amendment will support the design, development, and delivery of the U.S. Army's next generation full-color LED micro-display prototype, which will be specifically tailored for dismounted soldier applications such as the Integrated Visual Augmentation System Heads Up Display and the Next Generation Squad Weapon Sight Optic.

The next generation of LED displays promise brightness levels that significantly exceed the Pentagon's most stringent requirements for both monochrome and full-color displays. The funds provided in this amendment will support the design, development, and delivery of a technology readiness Level 7 full-color LED micro-display prototype. In addition, this project will enhance the soldier's target detection capability and eye safety. Clearly, Mr. Chair, this is a win-win that provides desperately needed solutions and safeguards the health and security of our soldiers.

I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and to vote in favor of En Bloc No. 3.

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