For Immediate Release:
Thursday, May 17, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Dan Boren, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, has secured $36.8 million in the National Defense Authorization Act to benefit Oklahoma.  The bill passed the House of Representatives today.

 

“The McAlester Army Ammunition Plant and our other military installations make Oklahoma a critical component of our nation’s defense apparatus.  This role is especially important in this time of war,” Boren said.  “I’m pleased to provide these vital resources to expand capabilities and invest in the future.”

 

Funding Boren secured in the National Defense Authorization Act includes:

 

• $5 million for bomb line modernization equipment at the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant.  Funding is necessary to support new explosive load requirements and much need modernization upgrades

 

• $5 million for the procurement of ammunition peculiar equipment (APE) out-loading equipment at the McAlester Defense Ammunition Center (DAC), allowing ammunition to be moved more efficiently.

 

• $21.1 million for the Excalibur extended-range artillery projectile.  Excalibur is the Army’s only close-fight precision artillery projectile.  The McAlester Army Ammunition Plant will be utilized in loading some of the shells.
  
  
• $3.2 million for design and planning for construction at Camp Gruber.  This project will meet training shortfalls the Oklahoma National Guard is facing, especially in classrooms, administrative, barracks and dining facility space.
  
• $2.5 million for Ground Warfare Acoustical Combat System (GWACS) development.  GWACS is a small arms and light weapons detection system.

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