2008 Federal Agenda

Appendix, page 6

The CRAM Program will provide the community the ability to develop and demonstrate innovative technical solutions to defeat the CRAM threat.

Additional FY09 funding of the AMRDEC Program is essential to demonstrate the technical feasibility of innovative concepts to provide improved protection of our deployed forces against the RAM threat.

Federal Agenda 2008 Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County, Alabama

An Open Letter to the Alabama Congressional Delegation On behalf of the Huntsville/Madison County business community, thank you for your leadership and service to our region, state, and country. You have helped build our region into a world leader in technology, research and development.

Many exciting opportunities and challenges lie before us. In 2008, several significant construction projects on Redstone Arsenal will begin. A large portion of the funding to complete those projects is slated for the budgets that the Congress will consider this year. Completing these buildings by 2010 and 2011 will be essential to the timely execution of the BRAC realignments. Our community has already started to feel the positive impact of nearly 1,000 BRAC jobs that have relocated to the region. Another 800 jobs are expected to be realigned to the area in this calendar year.

This year will also bring significant progress on the Ares rocket development program, as we begin to build the next rockets to carry our astronauts into space. Your continued support of these programs will keep thousands of your constituents working and enable our country to maintain its position of preeminence among space-faring nations.

In particular, the Huntsville community continues to make significant contributions to our Nation’s missile defense capability. With over 5,000 government and industry jobs focused on the development, fielding and support of missile defense programs, our community urges Congressional support for missile defense programs in general. We specifically encourage you to fully support critical programs such as GMD, KEI, MKV, THAAD and Patriot.

Federal science and technology spending is a major factor in U.S. economic expansion and is a primary driver in the further development of our local economy. A common thread running through many of the issues included in this agenda is the important role that federal Science and Technology (S&T) spending plays locally – and the dearth of funding that these activities receive. Investments in S&T are essential for maintaining our nation’s economic growth and job generation; ensuring national security; developing our future workforce, and improving our quality of life. According to many reports, the S&T capabilities that underpin U.S. economic leadership are eroding at a time when our competitors in other nations are gaining strength. The U.S. must increase its investments in basic research, and in improving Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math education, to retain our leadership position in the world.

The following pages detail the many important federal programs with strong ties to our community. We respectfully ask for your continued support.

Thank you from the

Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County

Federal Agenda 2008, continued

Base Realignment and Closure The bulk of the funding to construct the facilities on Redstone to accommodate the nearly 5,000 incoming BRAC positions is included in the Fiscal Year 2009 federal budget proposed by the President.

National Impact: The timely execution of the BRAC moves is critical to the long term effectiveness of our national defense.

Community Impact: Full funding of these projects will mean thousands of local construction jobs and will keep the Redstone BRAC realignments on schedule.

Requested Action: Fully Fund the requested amounts for each facility. Three Redstone BRAC projects are slated to receive a total of $270 million in the FY`09 budget including: $127 M for the von Braun Complex Phase III; $97 M for the AMC and USASAC facilities and $46 M for the new Rotor Wing Center.

Road Infrastructure Southern Bypass: The Chamber’s highest priority infrastructure project is the construction of the Southern Bypass.

The bypass will greatly improve access to Redstone Arsenal and is an essential link in the development of the MemphisHuntsville-Atlanta corridor. The bypass will relieve congestion on the over-capacity Memorial Parkway and accommodate approximately 30,000 people driving from surrounding cities. The corridor will increase access to the community further enhancing the economic impact generated by travel and tourism. Now that the environmental impact statement for the Memphis through Huntsville to Atlanta Highway has been approved, it is extremely important this nationally significant highway be given top priority.

Requested Action: Federal funds for design finalization and right of way acquisition is requested.

US 72 East/ARC Corridor V: A limited access expressway along US 72 east will sustain present economic growth, encourage future economic development, and improve opportunities for the region’s businesses and industries to compete in domestic and global markets. The project will complete the corridor as a limited access expressway through Madison County and will assist the Appalachian Regional Commission to meet the goals of the ARC Strategic Plan for 2005-2010. By the year 2015, it is estimated that the corridor will experience extreme congestion if no improvements are made.

Requested Action: Funding be allocated and appropriated through the ARC budget as soon as possible to fund this much needed corridor.

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US 231 North and South Overpasses and Corridor Improvements: US 231 is the main access road into Huntsville from the north and the south. It is projected that by the year 2030, approximately 90,000 daily trips will be made on the northern portion of 231 by commuters from Lincoln County, Tennessee. Additionally, 90,000 daily commuter trips are expected on the southern portion of the corridor, originating from Morgan County. To meet the emerging needs of the community, overpasses are planned at the intersections of US 231 North and Winchester Road, Meridian Street, and the Northern Bypass, Mountain Gap Road, Hobbs Road, and Green Cove Road.

Requested Action: Funding be appropriated in a timely manner for the construction of the scheduled improvements.

Funding is also requested for the preliminary engineering, right of way acquisition, and construction of the planned capacity projects required for US 231.

Martin Road Widening: Martin Road is the primary eastwest road providing access to and across the Arsenal. Several years ago the State upgraded the eastern section of the road to four lanes. Major housing developments are underway to the west of the Arsenal and projected traffic increases make it critical to upgrade this section of Martin Road to four lanes.

Requested Action: Fund the widening of Martin Road west of Rideout Road to Arsenal Gate 7 to four lanes.

Airport Masterplan Phase IV In order to keep pace with the 32% growth of rail cargo and the 45% growth of air cargo at the International Intermodal Center(IIC), we request $7 million to construct and implement Phase IV of our Intermodal Center Masterplan. In 2007, Air Cargo World magazine ranked Huntsville International Airport as the third fastest growing cargo airport behind Subang, Malaysia and Beijing, China. This phase includes the funding for an additional air cargo apron that will be necessary for the operation of the previously funded air cargo facility.

Requested Action: Fund the construction of IIC masterplan.

Air, Missile, Rocket, Artillery and Mortar Defense Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) Program National Impact: The GMD program is the cornerstone of the nation’s layered missile defense architecture and the only limited defense against long range ballistic missile attack. It’s designed to intercept ballistic missiles during the midcourse phase of flight and is capable of 24/7 operations. During 2007,

Appendix, page 3

Requested Action: Invest $2M for doing the necessary frontend work studying the best ways to create such a synergistic organization and analyzing the needed future steps

Army Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Weaponization The high demand for unmanned aerial systems to deliver lethal effects establishes a sense of urgency to expand the Army’s missile technology base to address UAS near-term (6.3/6.4) rapid fielding needs. This initiative will support cooperative work between PM-JAMS, PM-UAS, and AMRDEC. The focus of this investment for phase 1 ($3M) will be to accelerate the Army’s weapon research and development for seekers, guidance, warheads, propulsion, carriage systems, and integration technology while better supporting UAS system needs and enhancing expedited production and fielding. The efforts will focus on weapon suites optimized to support the currently fielded UAS systems. An additional ($3M) is requested to support the existing UAS Joint Systems Integration Laboratory (JSIL). This effort will leverage significant previous investments in the JSIL by all the services, and provide critically needed integration infrastructure for more rapid transition of these weapons and technologies to the warfighter. Both of these (6.3/6.4) efforts should be added to the PM-UAS PE. National Impact: Allow the Army and other services to carry lethal weapons aboard UAS thus protecting minimizing vulnerability to manned aircraft and keeping personnel further out of harms way. Moves the Army’s balance of manned and unmanned vehicles closer toward the 50/50 point.

Community Impact: Build upon the initial success that the JSIL toward improving weapon technologies and result in an additional 20-25 jobs for the growing laboratory.

Requested Action: Invest $3M in phase one activities noted above. Invest an additional $3M in JSIL activities to tie the weaponization effort to the JSIL. Total investment of $6M.

Manned and Unmanned Teaming The Apache Block III Modernization program is leading the way for the development of Manned/Unmanned teaming concepts and tactics, techniques and procedures. $10 million dollars is needed to procure a developmental unmanned vehicle complete with sensor package and ground control station with ancillary support equipment to support Apache / UAS MUM experimentation at Redstone Arsenal.

National Impact: This will put the Army on a more equal footing when dealing with the Air Force and Joint UAS issues at Creech AFB in Nevada. It will facilitate the Army’s development of Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Manned and Unmanned Teaming operations.

Community Impact: This will help enhance an Army UAS

R&D Center of Excellence at Redstone Arsenal and make it the materiel development counterpart to the Fort Rucker Combat Developer facility in southern Alabama. This should result in an increase of 15-20 jobs.

Requested Action: Provide PEO Aviation $10M in funding to procure one developmental UAS system with sensor to include a Ground Control System with needed ancillary equipment to operate the system in an experimentation mode at RSA.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operations in the National Airspace System (NAS) Over the past decade, UASs have become an integral part of the United States military. However, a significant challenge that could hinder the growth and further incorporation of UASs into the U.S. military is the ability to operate in the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS) and airspace worldwide.

Track 1 efforts are estimated to cost approximately $4M that will support data collection, safety analysis, support equipment, and testing of new technologies to support early sense and avoid capabilities that can be reconfigured as a deployable system. This effort supports the PM-UAS and the Aviation Engineering Directorate (AED) in the push to resolve NAS operating issues.

National Impact: This data collection effort will lead to safe use of National airspace by UAS and allow safe flights with manned airspace operations.

Community Impact: This joint effort between the PEO Aviation and the Aviation Engineering Directorate will result in the addition of 13-20 jobs for the organization.

Requested Action: Provide $4M to allow data collection identified above, along with safety analysis, support equipment, and testing of new air traffic and collision avoidance technologies to allow safe UAS and manned operations in the National Airspace.

Apache Modernized Control Laws / Composite Main Rotor Blade / Tail Rotor Blade Redesign The Army Aviation Safety Investment Team identified that improving the low speed handling qualities of Army helicopters was the number one material fix that should be funded to facilitate reaching the goal of reducing Army Aviation accidents by 50%. Due to funding constraints, Modernized Control Laws fielding will not be initiated until 2012. Fielding could be accelerated by nearly three years with an additional $35M in the near term. The Apache Block III is developing a new composite main rotor blade that increases performance by providing approximately 450 pounds of additional lift. Qualification of this new blade for the current Block II Apaches can

Appendix, page 2

nology Demo in FY12 and a JHL System Design and Demonstration in 2018. Meanwhile, the unmanned fleet of Army air vehicles has proven its value in combat. Continued support for new UAS initiatives, to include expansion of the existing Joint Systems Integration Lab, will lead to the synergistic development of both manned and unmanned air vehicles.

Expansion of UAS Joint Systems Integration Laboratory (JSIL) for Enhanced MUM and Future Force Integration The Huntsville-based JSIL has been enabling OIF successes in the area of Manned and Unmanned Teaming (MUM), which is emerging as a key force multiplier and survivability enhancement in the current fight. However, the growth of MUM requirements from OIF is not yet matched by capability and infrastructure. In order to rapidly and cost effectively develop interoperable, lethal and standardized interfaces and technologies for MUM teaming, assets and integration tools at the JSIL must be expanded. Further, the PEO AVN is on the cusp of initiating the major developmental activities to keep the Aviation platforms robustly integrated into the fight as the new FCS and Spin Outs emerge. The end state for the FCS integration funding will be a robust and real time collaborative connection between the JSIL, the Apache SIL, the UH60M SIL, the CH-47F SIL and the FCS System of Systems IL(SOSIL), taking full advantage of the contribution of FCS. In order to aggressively integrate and test the tactically imperative MUM and Future Force integration for PEO AVN, an additional $8M of 6.4 resources is requested, with $3M allocated to MUM teaming interoperability infrastructure and $5M for Aviation-FCS integration infrastructure.

National Impact: Inherently integrate the Army newest program the FCS with aviation manned and unmanned assets, thus taking advantage of the synergies and optimize the mix.

Community Impact: This initiative will build upon recent successes with the JSIL and move it into the SoSIL for the Army’s new Future combat System family of vehicles/capabilities.

This will result in some 30-35 additional jobs in the JSIL. Requested Action: An investment of $8M in 6.4 resources is requested ($5M dedicated to Aviation and FCS integration via the system integration laboratory connectivity and $3M dedicated to MUM teaming interoperability infrastructure improvements)

Joint Rotary Wing Center for Research and Development, Test and Experimentation 2005 BRAC language recommended the establishment of a Joint Center for Rotary Wing Air Platform Development, Acquisition, Test, and Evaluation. This Center will be established

initially inclusive of the Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM), the Research, Development, and Engineering Command (RDECOM), the Program Executive Office for Aviation (PEO AVN), elements of the Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC), and the Redstone Arsenal Garrison, but is intended to additionally embrace academia and private sector businesses involved in the furtherance of defense vertical flight capability. The Center will initially focus on establishment of functional relationships among the participant organizations, but is also envisioned to coordinate infrastructure development that provides more complete and dedicated support to advancing rotary wing technology in the greater Huntsville area. To effectively start this center, we recommend establishing a provisional organization with a lead and small staff of no more than 4-5 personnel. This organization would perform the coordination and implementation functions of the new center and serve as the base upon which to build and expand its mission. The first project to be worked on in this center would be the Small UAS effort (area 3, next).

National Impact: Will satisfy FY06 BRAC language.

Community Impact: With the influx of Aviation T&E activities, this will help to synergize the new arrivals with existing R&D and Procurement programs within AMCOM, and the PEOs, while creating 4-5 jobs.

Requested Action: Invest $1M in near term to implement the spirit of the BRAC language by establishing a Joint R&D Test and Experimentation organization/coordinating element.

This element would coordinate across stakeholder activities and foster cooperation with UAH and other related industry activities as well.

Huntsville and Redstone Arsenal Small UAS RDTE Center of Excellence A subset of the Joint Rotary Wing Center for Research Development, Test and Experimentation would be the establishment of a Small UAS RDTE COE. General Description: Current UAS programs lack a front end RDTE capability needed to support emerging UAS technology stimulation and growth. This COE will support a technology roadmap needed to bridge 6.2/3 efforts to Army, DoD and Commercial UAS requirements.

National Impact: Provide Army fast track capability to exploit emerging UAS technology for payloads, propulsion, aerodynamics, data links/comms, weapons and controls. The COE will become a National Resource, which will enable a government-industry partnership to rapidly expand UAS capabilities across the spectrum of military and commercial missions and requirements Community Impact: Redstone and the Huntsville area have available resources to exploit the growing demand for UAS technology insertion. This will result in the creation of 8-10 jobs supporting this activity.

Federal Agenda 2008, continued

successful testing included the intercept of a target missile simulating an incoming ballistic missile launched from Northeast Asia. The United States Government has characterized the Huntsville-led industry team performance on GMD as “exceptional.”

Community Impact: With the government and industry program office located in Huntsville, this program supports over 3,000 government and industry jobs in the Huntsville area.

Requested Action: Full funding of the President’s budget request

Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI) Program National Impact: The KEI element will engage intercontinental class ballistic missiles in the boost, ascent and earlymidcourse phases of flight. KEI can be forward-based, land and sea mobile and more robust and affordable. The Chamber acknowledges and appreciates the significant increase to the 2008 budget and this year requests that the FY09 budget be fully supported. KEI is meeting all critical milestones and is on schedule for an early CY2009 booster flight test.

Community Impact: With the recent government and this year, industry program office move to Huntsville, this program is expected to provide over 500 government and industry jobs once the program reaches full funding.

Requested Action: Full funding of the President’s budget request

Theater High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Program National Impact: The THAAD system is a key element of the Ballistic Missile Defense System. THAAD’s combination of high-altitude, long-range capability and hit-to-kill lethality enables it to effectively negate the effects of weapons of mass destruction at intercept ranges well beyond the defended area.

All components have been successfully integrated, tested and demonstrated during the first program phase that concluded in 1999. Flight testing of the THAAD development program began in late 2005 with the first of 14 flight tests.

Community Impact: This program provides over 750 government and industry jobs in the Huntsville area.

Requested Action: Full funding of the President’s budget request

Multiple Kill Vehicle Program National Impact: The Multiple Kill Vehicle (MKV) system allows more than one kill vehicle to be launched from a single booster. Consequently, when integrated on existing and planned Ballistic Missile Defense Systems it will increase mission flexibility by allowing multiple targets to be engaged by a single BMDS interceptor.

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Community Impact: This program provides over 150 government and industry jobs in the Huntsville area.

Requested Action: Full funding of the President’s budget request

Army Space and Missile Defense S&T National Impact: Missile Defense S&T must be maintained to enable responses to evolving threats and improve overall performance of critical missile defense functions such as discrimination and improved kill mechanisms. The Interceptor Technology Program (ITP), Low Cost Interceptor (LCI) program, Vertical/horizontal Integration of Space Technologies and Applications (VISTA) program and the Joint Embedded Messaging System Cross Domain Solution (JEMS-CDS) program are all investigating enabling technologies which will allow our BMDS warfighters to prevail against evolving and asymmetric threats.

Community Impact: Space and missile defense technology and warfighter programs support over 100 government and over 250 contractor jobs in the Huntsville area.

Requested Action: Additional funding above the President’s budget request

Reagan Test Site Distributed Operations (RDO) National Impact: Complex system of system and large envelope Ballistic and Hyper-sonic missile test missions require seamless communication and data handling between test elements and supporting test ranges so that interoperability can be demonstrated and tested. The RDO project will develop the technical capability to distribute operations and will include technology insertion to improve capability, efficiency and customer support.

Community Impact: Technical staffing in Huntsville, AL will be required to support early prototype demonstrations in FY08 and full transition of over 130 RTS positions from Kwajalein, Marshall Islands to Huntsville, AL will occur prior to IOC in late FY11.

Requested Action: Full funding of the President’s budget request

Cruise Missile Defense – S&T Funding The CONUS will remain vulnerable to Cruise Missile (CM) attack for the mid term because current programs of record will not mitigate many of the capability gaps. The only gap filler is to identify and employ emerging technologies with initial focus on SMDC-TC and AMRDEC. National Impact: Failure to improve CM Defenses leaves the CONUS vulnerable to a CM 911. Funding is required to assess emerging technologies for the ability to mitigate gaps

Federal Agenda 2008, continued

followed by rapid fielding, as well as for Overhead Non-Imaging Infra Red (ONIR) improved data processing/fusion capabilities.

Community Impact: This work will support 450-500 government/contractor jobs in Tennessee Valley.

Requested Action: Provide additional funding to support emerging CMD technologies to fill critical gaps in performance and coverage.

Cruise Missile Defense – Existing Platforms National Impact: Failure to improve CM Defenses capabilities as rapidly as possible leaves the CONUS vulnerable to a Cruise Missile 9-11 type attack.

Community Impact: This work will support 450-500 government/contractor jobs in Tennessee Valley.

Requested Action: Fully fund the President’s Budget request for S&T and protect key Army cruise missile related defense programs (like JLENS, SLAMRAAM, Patriot, HEL TD and IFCS).

Integrated Air and Missile Defense: Architecture Analysis Program (A3P) Current Air and Missile Defense (AMD) capability provides system-centric operations that leads to terrain restricted surveillance and engagements, limited interoperability, and results in capability gaps.

Nation Impact: The IAMD capability will utilize mobile, modular, scalable, and mission-tailored task force organizations to integrate any mix of sensors and shooters through a common command and control capability.

Community Impact: The IAMD program employs 250300 people in the Huntsville community. Upon award of future contracts supporting the IBCS during 2008, over 120 additional jobs will be added.

Requested Action: Support funding for the A3P in support of the Army’s IAMD programs to allow the development of a more robust simulation capability.

Directed Energy Applications National Impact: Directed energy systems provide faster engagements, ultra-precise targeting, reduced collateral damage, and alternative solutions to kinetic-based munitions.

The High Energy Laser Technology Demonstrator (HEL TD) program integrates a Solid State Laser (SSL) and Beam Control on a tactical truck to demonstrate mobile defense against Artillery, Rocket and Mortar projectiles (primary threat) and Cruise Missiles and UAV (extended threat). The Active Denial System (ADS) is the first directed energy technology that is

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mature enough to transition from advanced research and development to military operations.

Community Impact: Directed energy systems offer a technology growth path from kinetic weapons and are the systems of future warfare. Our future depends on aggressively pursuing directed energy technology and applications to protect our forces. The economic impact is potentially 1000’s of jobs in developing, testing and supporting directed energy systems.

Requested Action: Request additional funding above the President’s request to support acquisition planning, logistics planning and systems engineering to transition the ADS program from a successful ACTD activity to a DoD 5000 compliant acquisition program.

NASA and the U.S. Space Exploration Policy National Impact: U.S. Space Exploration Policy includes completing the International Space Station; developing a new crew exploration vehicle; developing robotic missions to the lunar surface; and returning humans to the moon and preparing for trips beyond.

Community Impact: MSFC leads NASA’s development of the Ares I crew launch and Ares V heavy launch vehicles. The Ares I program currently employs between 1,600 and 1,800 people in the greater Huntsville area. Ares V will also employ a significant number of area workers. The Marshall Space Flight Center’s leads the Lunar Precursor Robotic Program and the lunar robotic lander project. Expertise developed on these two programs could be applied to a broader lunar science effort to send a series of robotic missions to the lunar surface.

Requested Action: • Full Funding for the Constellation Program, with emphasis on the Ares I & V projects.

• Protect MSFC Program Management responsibilities for the Lunar Precursor and Robotic Program and provide funding to execute a viable lunar robotic lander project.

• Full Funding for Space Shuttle and International Space Station Operations.

• Full Funding for Marshall Space Flight Center’s Science Activities.

Army Aviation Programs* National Impact: Modernize and update manned/unmanned fleet; lowering support costs; increasing safety, reliability, survivability, and lethality; providing technology insertions to realize transformational capabilities sooner.

Community Impact: Provide the North Alabama area and Huntsville approximately 90-120 engineering and S&T

Appendix 2008 Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County, Alabama

Support for the Madison County Veterans Memorial The mission of the Madison County Veterans Memorial is to develop, construct and maintain a Memorial in Madison County, Alabama that recognizes and pays tribute to all veterans. We support the appropriations proposals that have been submitted and recommend this memorial be given positive consideration. This memorial will hold true to all who may see the principle that freedom is not fee and that free people must always be prepared to defend that freedom.

Appreciation for Delegation’s Strong Support for Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems The Chamber notes with appreciation the vigorous role played by the Alabama Congressional Delegation in retaining Army management of tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), formerly known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

Air Force senior leadership had pushed to become the executive agent for all medium- and high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicles that fly above 3,500 feet.

The Alabama Delegation made the case with the Deputy Secretary of Defense that such a change would be detrimental to troops in the field at a time when unmanned vehicles’ battlefield successes are gaining momentum. Language inserted in the Defense Appropriations bill by Sen. Shelby prohibited funding being used “to transfer research and development, acquisition, or other program authority relating to current tactical unmanned aerial vehicles (TUAVs) from the Army.”

Sen. Shelby and Cong. Cramer discussed the issue with U.S. troops and their commanders when they traveled to Iraq last summer, hearing strong arguments that “commanders on the ground must have control of these valuable assets in tactical situations.” Senator Sessions likewise strongly supported the Army’s continued role in UAS. The Army Unmanned Aircraft Systems Project Office provides a total Army perspective to the life cycle management of the UAS program, including development, acquisition, testing, integration, and logistics. UAS activities have an estimated $65 million per year impact on the North Alabama economy. UAS directly supports the core mission of Army unmanned aircraft

systems to provide tactical commanders near-real time, highly accurate, reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition.

This mission is growing to include weaponization, communications relay, specialty payloads, small unmanned aircraft systems, and the linkage to manned aircraft. The Army also has a UAS training center at the Army Aviation Center at Fort Rucker, AL. In 2005, the Ft. Rucker center was designated as the U.S. Army Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Center of Excellence, to serve as an integrating hub for the 12 Army installations with UAV components.

The Office of the Secretary of Defense recently stood up the Joint UAS Task force in lieu of the Air Force’s request for executive agency. The task force is having a positive impact on Joint cooperation between the services. However, the Air Force continues to push for control of the Warrior program at higher levels. It is critical that the Army keep its funding in the Army program elements. Continued language restricting the movement of funds out of the Army program is encouraged.

Additionally, the Army will likely pursue reprogramming of funds from other Army programs into the Warrior lines. Support in expediting those actions will also be highly valuable.

Army Aviation Programs Army aviation platforms have performed superbly in Iraq and Afghanistan, flying over two million hours, while operating at three to five times the peacetime operational flight rate. Increased usage places a greater burden on maintainers, shortens aircraft lifespan, and increases support costs. Countering this effect is the modernization of the current manned fleet, as well as the procurement of new replacement aircraft for those lost in combat. Major on-going efforts include the Apache Block III, the Blackhawk UH-60M, and the Chinook CH-47F upgrades. Investments must also continue in new aircraft such as the Light Utility Helicopter, Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) and the Joint Cargo Aircraft (JCA), to replace obsolescent airframes and lower sustainment costs. Also the Army and the USMC have a growing need to replace the CH-47 and the CH-53, which are approaching their reasonable physical limits. Front end S&T funding for a competitive Joint Heavy Lift (JHL) program is planned. Near term efforts will ensure a Tech-

Federal Agenda 2008, continued

jobs supporting various aerospace (aviation & missile) disciplines.

Requested Action: Support the President’s budget to sustain funding of current programs of record. Provide near term 6.3/6.4 S&T investments of $66M (across seven efforts) to allow selective technology insertion into the current manned/ unmanned fleets; to define the next generation of vertical maneuver platforms; to establish an RDTE, Acquisition and T&E center of excellence to develop and experiment with manned/ unmanned aerial platforms

*Please see the appendix for additional information regarding Army Aviation Programs

Missile and Space Intelligence Center National Impact: Continued emphasis on the Global War on Terror and ongoing combat operations has led to shortfalls in General Defense Intelligence Program (GDIP) Scientific and Technical Intelligence (S&TI) funding lines and resultant analytic gaps in key areas. Technical Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) is one of those gaps and is a primary source for intelligence on emerging missile systems. MSIC is providing key SIGINT analysis on these developing systems, in house, to fill gaps in national analytic coverage. For example, MSIC’s assessments of the Chinese Anti-Satellite (ASAT) event depended heavily on this capability.

Community Impact: Employing over 400 government and an additional 300 + contractor personnel, this agency is a linchpin of the nation’s Scientific and Technical Intelligence capability.

Requested Action: • Support Increased Funding for GDIP S&TI Analysis at MSIC • Support Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Analysis Initiative for MSIC • Support Continued Growth of MSIC Infrastructure to Support Analysis of Critical Threat Missile and ASAT Systems

Tactical Missile Science, Technology and Development Due to declining funds in S&T, missile development and production programs, our ability to attract and retain talented people with missile engineering and technical skills has become a bigger challenge, tactical missile industries are reducing their own investments and production capacities within the tactical missile industrial base have declined. Increased funding is needed in tactical missile S&T, new development pro-

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grams, and production programs to reverse these trends.

National Impact: Provides critically important capabilities to our nation’s warfighters.

Community Impact: Enables Huntsville to remain the world leader in tactical missile expertise and provides the means to restore solid S&T, development and production programs.

Requested Action: The Chamber requests increased attention and increased investment in tactical missile S&T, development and production.

Military Space National Impact: Operationally Responsive Space technology program will improve the responsiveness of existing space capabilities: to rapidly exploit and infuse space technological or operational innovations; to rapidly adapt existing space capabilities; to rapidly reconstitute or replenish critical space capabilities; and to develop complementary, affordable, small satellite/launch vehicle combinations and ground systems that can be deployed in operationally relevant timeframes.

Community Impact: The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Technical Center has a pivotal role in technology development, systems engineering/integration, program management and acquisition of space capabilities to meet urgent needs of the warfighter. However, the lack of applied research funding by the US Army leaves a gap in critical technology development and focused space applied research efforts.

Requested Action: The Chamber encourages full funding of SMDC Operationally Responsive Space initiatives, TacSat and High Altitude Long Loiter unfunded requirements, and future micro and nano-satellite technology development initiatives.

Secure Border Initiative Network (SBInet) National Impact: The Secure Border Initiative is a comprehensive program by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to gain effective control of the U.S. borders through the integration of increased staffing, interior enforcement technology and infrastructure. A critical component of SBI is SBInet, a program focused on transforming land border control through the optimization of personnel, processes and cost-effective, proven technology and infrastructure to improve situational awareness and mission effectiveness.

Community Impact: SBInet currently supports almost 200 jobs in Huntsville and is expected to grow to 500 jobs by years end.

Requested Action: Support the President’s budget request.

Federal Agenda 2008, continued

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Workforce

Biotechnology

Attracting, developing, and retaining the science and technology workforce of the future is a key national and regional issue. BRAC has put North Alabama in direct competition with employers across the country for technology and engineering talent. The region’s emerging biotech economy also places additional demands on the North Alabama workforce.

National Impact: It is critical to national security that BRAC be implemented without an impact on the mission of the moving commands. We have developed a comprehensive workforce strategy to ensure a successful BRAC, and federal funding will enable us to implement this strategy.

Community Impact: Redstone Arsenal is the economic engine of North Alabama, and the emerging biotech industry is crucial to the economic diversity of our region. Workforce is the key to our success. We have the partnerships and plans in place and, with federal support, are ready to act.

Requested Actions: • Our low unemployment rate and near-term needs for highly specialized workers mean that we must recruit nationally to meet the BRAC schedule. Federal planning grants have enabled us to develop a targeted recruiting strategy. Implementation will cost $2 million annually for four years.

• The state of Alabama is applying for $2 million from DOL to address critical STEM skills shortages. The funding would be used to develop a STEM Center of Excellence for biotech, aerospace and automotive education and training in Huntsville/Madison County. Request continued Congressional support for this program.

• A survey of the major Redstone Arsenal commands indicates a need for more qualified engineering graduates and support for temporary housing for students while on co-op and internship rotations. The cost of implementing a pilot program to provide scholarships for service in support of Redstone Arsenal is $5 million per year for four years. Such an investment should generate an additional 800 engineering graduates in time to meet the demands of BRAC. • The Valley Innovation Alliance (VIA) is a DOL WIREDsponsored initiative to promote career awareness and capacity in high-growth industries across north Alabama and southern Tennessee. DOL has obligated $5 million over three years to VIA. With the upcoming change in administration, we seek support from the delegation to ensure that this obligation be honored despite top-level personnel and program changes at DOL.

Collocating world-class scientists, researchers and staff with dynamic entrepreneurs and established business professionals on the 120-acre CRP Biotech Campus is integral to the HudsonAlpha model to speed the translation of research to cures and treatments for patients in need. The expertise in biotechnology, basic and genomics-based research this institute brings to the community, together with the unparalleled engineering expertise in CRP and research excellence of the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Alabama A & M University and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, creates an environment that successfully fosters broad-based biotechnology innovations, from tools and treatments to improve human health, to biofuels and advanced nanosensors.

National Impact: No other place in the country has the combination of biotechnology, engineering and entrepreneurial expertise that this community has to drive innovation.

Furthermore, success for the HudsonAlpha model equals success for America’s free enterprise system. Institute founders believe by joining the free enterprise system with academic research and educational outreach, cures and treatments will be delivered more quickly to patients in need and innovations that support human and environmental well being will be expedited.

Community Impact: HudsonAlpha supports diversification while boosting Huntsville’s braintrust economy and attracting non-exportable jobs.

Requested Action: To continue building momentum and spark innovation, new facilities must be made available on the undeveloped portions of the CRP Biotech Campus.

Funding for new facilities to continue to grow the HudsonAlpha biotech campus is requested. Continued and increased support for biotechnology and genomics-based research through NIH, DOE, USDA and other agencies is also sought.

Strong Support for S&T Funding Basic and Applied DOD Research National Impact: Prior Department of Defense research has paid very high dividends for more than half a century. Yet, at a time when America’s military has become increasingly dependent on its technological superiority, investment in the DOD 6.1 and 6.2 programs has become limited. It is critical that we invest in the evolution of technology and technical capabilities that enable each generation of weapons systems to outperform earlier systems Community Impact: As a cradle-to-grave S&T development facility, the Redstone Arsenal will benefit from a more

Federal Agenda 2008, continued

robust investment in basic and applied research.

Requested Action: Maintain efforts to secure additional funding in the DOD 6.1 and 6.2 programs supporting Missile Defense, Directed Energy Applications, Army Aviation, and Tactical Missiles

Targeted NASA and NOAA Science Funding National Impact: Maintaining expertise built over decades in fundamental Space and Earth science is critical in maintaining a diverse portfolio of NASA programs in the Huntsville community. Key areas of expertise at the NSSTC, include High-energy Astronomy, Solar Physics, Lunar and Interstellar Dust, Severe Weather and Climate Modeling, Remote Sensing, and applications of Earth Science research.

Community Impact: Huntsville has a historic legacy in basic and applied research in Earth and Space science, embodied today within the National Space Science and Technology Center. The NSSTC continues to enjoy success with its key involvement in many high profile S&T efforts including NASA’s GLAST astrophysics mission, NOAA’s GOES weather satellites, the SPoRT Center, and the Regional Visualization and Monitoring System for Mesoamerica.

Requested Action: Support the President’s requested funding of these programs within the NASA and NOAA science budgets.

National Science Foundation National Impact: The National Science Foundation advances discovery, innovation and education beyond the frontiers of current knowledge, and empowers future generations in science and engineering. Through critical investments the NSF helps build the nation’s research capabilities, and produces economically important technologies, processes, and

page 8

techniques.

Community Impact: The NSF helps support the underlying research enterprise that mission-oriented agencies such as the Army and NASA draw upon to accomplish their objectives. The NSF also promotes university advancement through faculty enrichment programs, curricular improvements and access to state-of-the-art research instrumentation.

Requested Action: Support the National Science Foundation budget request and increases to any of the following NSF programs: Major Research Instrumentation; EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement; Advanced Technological Education; Research Experience for Undergraduates; Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology: HBCUUndergraduate Program, Alliance for Broadening Participation in STEM; Engineering Research Centers; and Science and Technology Centers.

Department of Energy National Impact: The DOE Office of Science provides the Nation competitive funding opportunities for basic research in particle and nuclear physics, and in multidisciplinary research programs relevant to materials science, energy sciences, biology, and medicine.

Community Impact: The Oak Ridge National Laboratory, with an annual budget of over $1.2 billion and close proximity to Madison County, is a strategic target to be a stronger sponsor and partner in R&D for the Huntsville community. Five of the six major ORNL mission roles are particularly promising areas for cooperation, including energy, high-performance computing, systems biology, materials science at the nanoscale, and national security.

Requested Action: Support budgets proposed for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Federal Agenda 2008, continued

page 7

Workforce

Biotechnology

Attracting, developing, and retaining the science and technology workforce of the future is a key national and regional issue. BRAC has put North Alabama in direct competition with employers across the country for technology and engineering talent. The region’s emerging biotech economy also places additional demands on the North Alabama workforce.

National Impact: It is critical to national security that BRAC be implemented without an impact on the mission of the moving commands. We have developed a comprehensive workforce strategy to ensure a successful BRAC, and federal funding will enable us to implement this strategy.

Community Impact: Redstone Arsenal is the economic engine of North Alabama, and the emerging biotech industry is crucial to the economic diversity of our region. Workforce is the key to our success. We have the partnerships and plans in place and, with federal support, are ready to act.

Requested Actions: • Our low unemployment rate and near-term needs for highly specialized workers mean that we must recruit nationally to meet the BRAC schedule. Federal planning grants have enabled us to develop a targeted recruiting strategy. Implementation will cost $2 million annually for four years.

• The state of Alabama is applying for $2 million from DOL to address critical STEM skills shortages. The funding would be used to develop a STEM Center of Excellence for biotech, aerospace and automotive education and training in Huntsville/Madison County. Request continued Congressional support for this program.

• A survey of the major Redstone Arsenal commands indicates a need for more qualified engineering graduates and support for temporary housing for students while on co-op and internship rotations. The cost of implementing a pilot program to provide scholarships for service in support of Redstone Arsenal is $5 million per year for four years. Such an investment should generate an additional 800 engineering graduates in time to meet the demands of BRAC. • The Valley Innovation Alliance (VIA) is a DOL WIREDsponsored initiative to promote career awareness and capacity in high-growth industries across north Alabama and southern Tennessee. DOL has obligated $5 million over three years to VIA. With the upcoming change in administration, we seek support from the delegation to ensure that this obligation be honored despite top-level personnel and program changes at DOL.

Collocating world-class scientists, researchers and staff with dynamic entrepreneurs and established business professionals on the 120-acre CRP Biotech Campus is integral to the HudsonAlpha model to speed the translation of research to cures and treatments for patients in need. The expertise in biotechnology, basic and genomics-based research this institute brings to the community, together with the unparalleled engineering expertise in CRP and research excellence of the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Alabama A & M University and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, creates an environment that successfully fosters broad-based biotechnology innovations, from tools and treatments to improve human health, to biofuels and advanced nanosensors.

National Impact: No other place in the country has the combination of biotechnology, engineering and entrepreneurial expertise that this community has to drive innovation.

Furthermore, success for the HudsonAlpha model equals success for America’s free enterprise system. Institute founders believe by joining the free enterprise system with academic research and educational outreach, cures and treatments will be delivered more quickly to patients in need and innovations that support human and environmental well being will be expedited.

Community Impact: HudsonAlpha supports diversification while boosting Huntsville’s braintrust economy and attracting non-exportable jobs.

Requested Action: To continue building momentum and spark innovation, new facilities must be made available on the undeveloped portions of the CRP Biotech Campus.

Funding for new facilities to continue to grow the HudsonAlpha biotech campus is requested. Continued and increased support for biotechnology and genomics-based research through NIH, DOE, USDA and other agencies is also sought.

Strong Support for S&T Funding Basic and Applied DOD Research National Impact: Prior Department of Defense research has paid very high dividends for more than half a century. Yet, at a time when America’s military has become increasingly dependent on its technological superiority, investment in the DOD 6.1 and 6.2 programs has become limited. It is critical that we invest in the evolution of technology and technical capabilities that enable each generation of weapons systems to outperform earlier systems Community Impact: As a cradle-to-grave S&T development facility, the Redstone Arsenal will benefit from a more

Federal Agenda 2008, continued

robust investment in basic and applied research.

Requested Action: Maintain efforts to secure additional funding in the DOD 6.1 and 6.2 programs supporting Missile Defense, Directed Energy Applications, Army Aviation, and Tactical Missiles

Targeted NASA and NOAA Science Funding National Impact: Maintaining expertise built over decades in fundamental Space and Earth science is critical in maintaining a diverse portfolio of NASA programs in the Huntsville community. Key areas of expertise at the NSSTC, include High-energy Astronomy, Solar Physics, Lunar and Interstellar Dust, Severe Weather and Climate Modeling, Remote Sensing, and applications of Earth Science research.

Community Impact: Huntsville has a historic legacy in basic and applied research in Earth and Space science, embodied today within the National Space Science and Technology Center. The NSSTC continues to enjoy success with its key involvement in many high profile S&T efforts including NASA’s GLAST astrophysics mission, NOAA’s GOES weather satellites, the SPoRT Center, and the Regional Visualization and Monitoring System for Mesoamerica.

Requested Action: Support the President’s requested funding of these programs within the NASA and NOAA science budgets.

National Science Foundation National Impact: The National Science Foundation advances discovery, innovation and education beyond the frontiers of current knowledge, and empowers future generations in science and engineering. Through critical investments the NSF helps build the nation’s research capabilities, and produces economically important technologies, processes, and

page 8

techniques.

Community Impact: The NSF helps support the underlying research enterprise that mission-oriented agencies such as the Army and NASA draw upon to accomplish their objectives. The NSF also promotes university advancement through faculty enrichment programs, curricular improvements and access to state-of-the-art research instrumentation.

Requested Action: Support the National Science Foundation budget request and increases to any of the following NSF programs: Major Research Instrumentation; EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement; Advanced Technological Education; Research Experience for Undergraduates; Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology: HBCUUndergraduate Program, Alliance for Broadening Participation in STEM; Engineering Research Centers; and Science and Technology Centers.

Department of Energy National Impact: The DOE Office of Science provides the Nation competitive funding opportunities for basic research in particle and nuclear physics, and in multidisciplinary research programs relevant to materials science, energy sciences, biology, and medicine.

Community Impact: The Oak Ridge National Laboratory, with an annual budget of over $1.2 billion and close proximity to Madison County, is a strategic target to be a stronger sponsor and partner in R&D for the Huntsville community. Five of the six major ORNL mission roles are particularly promising areas for cooperation, including energy, high-performance computing, systems biology, materials science at the nanoscale, and national security.

Requested Action: Support budgets proposed for the Department of Energy’s Office of Science and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.