For Release: Thursday, November 8, 2007
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661

HOUSE PASSES FINAL DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS BILL, INCLUDES FUNDS FOR GENERAL DYNAMICS

Washington - U.S. Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL) announced today that the final version of the Fiscal Year 2008 Defense Appropriations bill contains $3.2 million for 25mm High Explosive Air Burst (HEAB) ammunition, manufactured by General Dynamics at its Marion facility. The legislation will next be considered by the Senate.

The Bushmaster cannon is the primary weapon on the Army Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) and the U.S. Marines’ Light Armor Vehicle (LAV). HEAB is a leap-ahead technology and capability that will dramatically increase the survivability of the BFV and LAV, especially in Maneuver Operations in Urban Terrain. The HEAB fuse is automatically programmed by the vehicle’s Fire Control System to detonate over targets and is the only type of 25mm ammunition capable of neutralizing threat targets that are in defilade, behind walls, and in foxholes.

“This is an important project for protecting our soldiers and improving our national security,” said Costello. “Local companies are making extremely important contributions to our national defense, which in turn help our regional economy.”

###