Capital District Times

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has voted to pass the FY25 Defense Appropriations Act, securing significant funding for Upstate New York and the North Country's defense innovation efforts. The legislation allocates over $360 million for the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) in Rome to advance quantum computing and counter-UAS technology. Additionally, it provides investments for Fort Drum to enhance the Department of Defense's counter-UAS capabilities and strengthens defense companies and partnerships within the North East Multi-Domain Operations Alliance.

“I am proud to continue delivering wins for our Upstate New York and North Country defense ecosystem which is leading the defense technology industry to rapidly innovate and deliver the technologies our warfighters need in the battles of tomorrow," said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. "The investments I secured through this year’s defense appropriations bill, including tens of millions for the Army’s C-UAS exercises at Fort Drum and for quantum innovation at AFRL-Rome will bolster our national security and further solidify Upstate New York’s role as a defense technology hub."

Stefanik highlighted that following historic investments secured in FY24 for AFRL-Rome, this bill ensures continuation of critical research and development, supports service members and their families, brings money back to NY-21 companies, and strengthens U.S.-Israel defense cooperation.

The FY25 Defense Appropriations Act includes several specific allocations:

- $25 million increase for AFRL-Rome’s annual Future Flag testing in Essex County.

- $45 million increase for Agility Prime supporting BETA Technologies’ work in Plattsburgh.

- $12 million increase for DoD procurement of blast exposure monitoring sensors by Med-Eng.

- $6 million increase for Army research on composite rubber tracks developed by Michelin in Plattsburgh.

- $10 million increase to build out NEMDOA.

- $15 million increase supporting Black River Systems' PAACC-M project.

- $10.9 million increase supporting Wolfspeed's Silicon Carbide Flexible Bus Node advancement.

- $5 million increase for Army research on thermoplastic by Collins Aerospace in Rome, NY.

- $10 million increase advancing Army’s FoCUS including Syracuse’s Hidden Level.

For Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division:

- A $20 million increase supporting Fort Drum's Counter-UAS efforts.

- Increased Army C-UAS funding enhancing installation security.

- A $10 million allocation supporting land surveying equipment designed by 10th Mountain Division Engineers.

In Rome, New York:

- Various increases totaling over $50 million to support AI/ML testbeds, quantum information science computers, quantum networking units, adaptive blue force tracking, entanglement on drones, expeditionary UAS additive manufacturing capabilities among other emerging technologies.

Enhancing U.S.-Israel Defense Cooperation:

The act provides substantial funding aimed at bolstering Israeli missile defense programs such as Iron Dome ($500M), David’s Sling, Arrow systems; adds funds above presidential requests ($80M) specifically earmarked towards anti-tunneling operations; stipulates expedited delivery timelines regarding withheld defensive articles from US-to-Israel alongside other cooperative measures involving directed energy & laser technologies while also restricting financial aid toward UNRWA activities altogether.

Lastly:

Significant pay raises were secured with junior enlisted service members seeing an unprecedented 19.5% raise across board whilst all military personnel benefit uniformly under agreed upon percentage rates established at current fiscal level pegged near around ~4 .5%.