Wicker Highlights Influx of High-Tech Industry to Miss.

WICKER HIGHLIGHTS INFLUX OF HIGH-TECH INDUSTRY TO MISS.

I was glad to have the opportunity last week to announce that a leading aerospace firm would manufacture unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the Golden Triangle. This is the latest example of our state's growing success in attracting high-tech industry in support of national defense and homeland security.

Our efforts are helping diversify the economy and leading to the production of cutting-edge equipment and weaponry to meet national security challenges. Mississippi is well-positioned to lead this technological transformation with its positive business climate, willing workforce, strong university and community college contributions, and Congressional leadership.

AURORA TO BUILD UAVs
Aurora Flight Sciences will build UAVs at the Raspet Flight Research Laboratory at Mississippi State University until a 65,000 square foot facility can be built at the Golden Triangle Regional Airport (GTRA). The company's investment is expected to include 300 jobs and produce an economic impact of more than $45 million over the next four years.

Aurora will join the world's largest helicopter manufacturer, American Eurocopter, at GTRA. I participated in American Eurocopter's grand opening ceremonies on October 21, and it is already producing aircraft for private- and public-sector customers. A recently-secured contract from the U.S. Border Patrol will enable the company to add 100 more jobs in support of this homeland security mission.

NAVY WORK IN LEE CO.
General Atomics, another of the nation's leading defense firms, recently announced plans to build a 32,500 square foot manufacturing facility in Lee County. The company will build launch systems for aircraft carriers and is competing for other U.S. Navy contracts.

I have been fortunate to work with Sens. Thad Cochran and Trent Lott to secure funding for a number of defense firms that already call Mississippi home. Another priority has been to provide resources to boost defense-related research activities at universities in our state.

Alliant Tech-Systems in Iuka is developing lightweight composite materials for the U.S. Air Force, and the Miltec Corporation in Oxford and Iuka is producing an anti-satellite defense system and a new ultra-high speed weapon (more than five times the speed of sound) to make our armed forces more effective. Innovative Circuits Corporation in Corinth, DRS Technologies in Oxford, Talley Defense Systems in Columbus, and Radiance Technologies in Oxford are among other north Mississippi firms working on high-tech projects to boost military capabilities.

IMPORTANT UNIVERSITY RESEARCH
We have been able to increase funding dramatically over the past five years for researchers at University of Mississippi, Mississippi State, and Jackson State. These resources are enabling them to focus on initiatives designedto give our armed forces a technological advantage on the battlefield. Their efforts are leading to the development of new products and creating opportunities for private-sector companies in our state.