WASHINGTON, D.C.--U.S. Senator Herb Kohl announced today that Wisconsin businesses and projects stand to receive $74.95 million in federal dollars as part of the fiscal year 2006 Appropriations Bill for the Department of Defense (DoD).The Senate passed the Defense Department's Appropriations Bill late last evening.. Kohl, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, had identified several Wisconsin companies as leading competitors for DoD contracts.

"Wisconsin is home to some of the most innovative businesses in the country, and with their commitment to excellence, they will continue to provide our military with the best supplies for our fighting men and woman," said Kohl.

Sen. Kohl championed $500 million in funding for the Oshkosh Truck Corporation which was also included in the President's budget. This funding will go toward Marine Corps Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement trucks, which are cost-effective, highly mobile, all-wheel drive trucks. Oshkosh Trucks also received $7.2 million for research to develop 21st Century truck technology.

Kohl secured another $5 million in the FY06 Defense Bill for the Metals Affordability Initiative, a government/industry collaboration of which the Ladish Co. Inc. in Cudahy participates. The initiative, for which Kohl also helped secure funding in last year=s budget, invests in new technology to provide improvements in affordability of metals used in defense and aerospace systems.

Kohl announced that Silicon Logic in Chippewa Falls stands to receive $2 million to develop a battery life indicator and $1 million to help develop a voice recognition/response communication system. Pliant, also of Chippewa Falls, is set to receive $4.7 million to develop food packaging that would increase the security of foods for troops and $2.6 million for develop light weight flexible films that can be used in place of metal casings in disposable batteries.

Kohl also included $4.7million in battery technology funding, of which Rayovac of Madison stands to win a large share. The funding includes $ 2.7 million to develop an advanced alkaline cell for high power applications such as night vision goggles, two-way radios and digital imaging applications; $ 1 million for improving chemistry and cell design to help create a safer battery and $1 million for a Zinc Air battery that is a valuable option for portable power for the military.

Additionally, Kohl secured $5 million for portable heating and air conditioning for Army field use, technology developed by Modine Corporation in Racine. Modine Corporation also received $1 million for PEM fuel cell for vehicle sensors. These fuel cells will be used by the Navy for unmanned vehicles. Rockwell Automation in Milwaukee was awarded $4.85 million to develop Navy carrier elevators. Rex Systems in Chippewa Falls was awarded $9.4 million: $6 million to develop an enhanced wireless digital communication and location system for urban first responders, $1.7 million for solider/sensor intrusion detection system to identify computer hacking attacks that try to trick the computer into shutting down because it has run out of power, and $1.7 million to develop a marking set for the Army's Chem-Bio Reconnaissance System. Small Tree Communications, also of Chippewa Falls, was awarded $3.4 million to help create technology to improve bandwidth for battle communications.

Kohl also included $4.2 million for Orbital Technologies, of Madison, for the development of low-cost reusable engines that will enhance the operability of suborbital launch vehicles.

Kohl announced that he secured $2.4 million for PPG in Oak Creek to provide electrodeposited coatings systems for munitions. Electrodeposited coatings offer superior protective properties to critical munitions components and will provide a higher degree of reliability and increased shelf life.

Additionally, Kohl secured $2.1 million for Magnum Products of Berlin for skid-mounted light tower/flood light units to meet the needs of the Marine Expeditionary Forces. Skid-mounted flood light units will help greatly to improve security and operational safety for Marine-Corps units and deployments worldwide.

Kohl also included $1.8 million for Shoreland in Milwaukee for a collaborative medical service database. This database will available to government agencies and personnel around the world, so that, in times of crisis, U.S. government employees and contractors will know where to go for the kind of medical treatment they need.

He also obtained $1 million for John Deere in Horicon to help develop and test the Robotic Gator design for production readiness necessary in a military environment. America Plastics, Inc., in Rhinelander was awarded $2.6 million to improve packaging technology for MRE's to improve safety, increase shelf life, and improve taste. Extrusion Dies Industries in Chippewa Falls will receive $3 million to create new extrusion dies for the packaging plastics industry that will help create the high quality packing film the Army needs for MRE's and other uses.

In addition, Kohl announced that the UW-Madison College of Engineering was awarded $6 million to develop an advanced hybrid propulsion system. This effort involves the development of solid-liquid "hybrid" rocket engines that effectively combine the operational cost benefits of a solid rocket motor with the performance advantages of a liquid rocket engine. Virent Energy Systems in Madison was awarded $1.0 million to create a multi-fuel portable fuel cell technology for the military services.

The Defense Appropriations bill now must be approved by the House before going to the President to be signed into law.

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