East Greenbush, N.Y. - Congresswoman Elise Stefanik announced that she secured over $415 million in funding for the Air Force Research Lab in Rome (AFRL Rome) in Fiscal Year 2024, a historic amount of funding for the lab and its critical mission. AFRL Rome’s work in surveillance, reconnaissance, quantum information science and intelligence is key to the success of the Air Force and ensuring U.S. national defense.
“I am proud to announce that I secured over $415 million in defense spending for the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory in the City of Rome through this year’s appropriations process. This funding includes a $25 million investment in the Air Force Research Lab’s annual Future Flag testing and evaluation exercise, which is conducted in Lewis, NY, to ensure our service members have access to the best technology possible,” said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.
“On behalf of the City of Rome, I want to thank Congresswoman Stefanik for her advocacy in securing $415 million in funding for the Air Force Research Lab in Rome. This investment not only fortifies our nation's defense capabilities but also underscores the vital economic impact this facility has on our city. Congresswoman Stefanik's support ensures that Rome remains a hub for innovation, driving economic growth for our community. We appreciate her dedication to our nation's security and the prosperity of our city," said City of Rome Mayor Jeff Lanigan.
“This is wonderful news for our region,” remarked Heather Hage, President and CEO of Griffiss Institute. "Today’s result demonstrates clearly Congress's unwavering, bipartisan support for AFRL's critical mission in defending our nation's security. Rome Lab is the lead agency for the Department of Defense in quantum research and this tremendous increase shows clearly that investments in QIS are a national priority. Such extraordinary support from Congress will enable our region to build a robust quantum industry focused on critical national security applications. I want to express my sincere gratitude to Congresswoman Stefanik for her hard work and dedication in securing this remarkable increase in funding.”
"I am pleased that substantial funding for the Air Force Research Lab has been included in the FY24 defense appropriations bill. This funding will enhance and support the innovative and critical work, research and development that takes place every day at the lab while strengthening this important military asset. Oneida County and Rome are proud to host AFRL and all the other defense facilities and research partners that call the region home. I am grateful for the leadership of Congresswoman Stefanik and those who made this possible and look forward to working with my partners at all levels of government to support and sustain the lab’s presence in the Mohawk Valley and Upstate New York,” said New York Senator Joseph Griffo.
“The federal appropriation for Rome Lab this year is truly historic,” said Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. “Never before have we seen such an increase. It is a tremendous statement of support by the United States Congress and a testament to the importance of AFRL’s mission. I thank Congresswoman Stefanik for helping to secure this immense funding and for her ardent championing of Oneida County’s assets at the Griffiss Business and Technology Park in Rome. Together with investments made by our county government, this funding will strengthen our national security and provide a major opportunity to grow our region’s high-tech industry, particularly in our leading areas of Quantum Information Science and UAS research.”
Through the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, Congresswoman Stefanik delivered the following key Congressional funding increases for AFRL Rome:
- For photonic chips for quantum computing: $10,000,000
- For heterogeneously integrated photonics and electronic technologies: $10,000,000
- For quantum entanglement distribution: $10,000,000
- For technology innovation collaborative $2,000,000
- For secure quantum computing facility: $20,000,000
- For cyberspace dominance technology: $10,000,000
- For Future Flag operational experimentation: $25,000,000
- For quantum cryptography: $10,000,000
- For ion trap quantum computing: $15,000,000
- For internet of things living ecosystem: $2,500,000
- For C-UAS high speed imaging technology: $2,000,000
- For multi-domain RF spectrum environment: $10,000,000
- For photonic quantum computing: $4,000,000
- For quantum network testbed: $10,000,000
- For UAS traffic management advanced air mobility enhancements: $10,000,000
- For university-based quantum materials applied research: $20,000,000
- For antenna development for assured communications and networks: $20,000,000
- For B-52 agile pod capability: $2,000,000
- For nationwide integration of time resiliently for operations: $1,000,000
- For programmable computing fabric networks: $2,500,000
