Rome Air Force Research Laboratory (U.S.) Receives $8M for QIS Innovation Center
Brindisi Secures $18 Million for Missions Conducted at Air Force Research Laboratory in Rome in National Defense Authorization Act
Congressman Delivers Additional Funds for Quantum Innovation Center & Big Wins for Upstate New York in Annual Defense Bill
Brindisi: This is a big victory for Upstate New York and our troops
Congressman Anthony Brindisi secured key victories for Upstate New York in the final National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Brindisi’s fought for a $8 investment for a Quantum Innovation Center at Rome Lab and an additional $5 million for quantum science research. In total, the mission at Rome Lab will receive nearly $18 million in crucial investment. Earlier this year, Brindisi secured key wins in the House version of the NDAA. Brindisi, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, fought to include them in the final bill.
“This is a big win for Upstate New York and our troops,” Brindisi said. “Securing these critical funds for Rome Lab will allow the Mohawk Valley to continue to innovate and lead in the development of cutting-edge military technology. Keeping our country safe is my top priority and the mission at Rome Lab is critical to protecting our national security.”
Brindisi led an amendment to authorize $8 million to establish a Quantum Information Science Innovation Center. The Rome Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is leading in quantum information technology for the Department of Defense. Recently in 2017, Rome Lab took a major step in its quantum research by becoming the first Department of Defense Lab to trap an ion, which was a major breakthrough in the development of quantum capabilities for the Air Force. Quantum research and technology development is being aggressively pursued by other countries, including China, who recognize the massive potential of quantum technologies. AFRL’s efforts to develop Quantum technologies has immense national security implications, and it is crucial that the United States does not fall behind our adversaries in this field. The QIS Innovation Center would seek to provide an environment where researchers from the Air Force, Government, industry, and academia can collaborate to solve difficult problems using Quantum Computing.
In addition to the QIS Innovation Center dollars, Brindisi fought to include an additional $5 million for counter unmanned aircraft system research and $5 million in additional quantum science research funds.
“America needs to continue to have the best military in the world,” Brindisi added. “With Rome and the Mohawk Valley leading the charge, I am confident that our research and technology will keep our troops at the top of the class.”
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