Press Releases

Greenbush, N.Y. – In case you missed it, on Saturday, the Oneida Daily Dispatch reported that Congresswoman Elise Stefanik secured $415 million in defense spending for the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory in the City of Rome through this year’s appropriations process.

Read the full article below: 

Oneida Daily Dispatch: Stefanik visits Rome, announces $415M towards defense research

By Roger Seibert

ROME, N.Y. — U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-NY-21, visited Rome Labs this past week to announce that she helped secure over $415 million in funding for the Air Force Research Lab in Rome for Fiscal Year 2024.

“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,” Stefanik said.

Stefanik helped secure the monies through the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act. The act provides appropriations for various federal departments and agencies for FY2024. The funding amount provides a historic amount of resources for lab and defense technologies research for AFRL Rome.

“This has doubled the previous year’s appropriations bill,” Stefanik said. “This goes towards quantum research, towards cyber, this goes to our counter UAS. So all the emerging technologies, when we consider future national security challenges, we will be the leaders right here in Rome. I am proud to have delivered this significant funding.”

Quantum computing studies the physical limits of information processing. This type of research has advanced many fields of science and industry like chemistry, optimization and molecular simulation.

Drones are a type of Unmanned Aerial System. Counter-UAS technology includes camera systems and specialist drone detection radar along with net guns and cyber takeover systems.

Stefanik said the funding will help Rome “remain a leader” in defense technology research.

“This is a tremendous endorsement at the national level of the incredible work and the unique work that Rome Labs does every single day,” she said. “We’re not only the leader in New York, the leader in the United States of America, but we’re the global leader when it comes to these emerging technologies.”

Stefanik also introduced the Defense Quantum Acceleration Act bill during her visit.

“This bill will supercharge the DoD’s approach to Quantum Information Science and create a framework for reaching the first utility-scale, fault-tolerant, quantum computer right here in Rome, New York. So we want to make sure, when it comes to Quantum, that we continue to be the world leader,” she said. “That’s why I’m introducing this legislation. It’s not only important for national security purposes but also important for right here in Oneida County and right here in Rome.”

The funding will incorporate the most current defense research technologies.

“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, N.Y., to ensure our service members have access to the best technology possible,” Stefanik said.

Future Flag tests experimental and emerging technology and its uses in tactical situations.

State Sen. Joesph Griffo, R-53, Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr., Rome Mayor Jeffrey Lanigan and Griffiss Institute President and CEO Heather Hage joined Stefanik during her visit.

“I’m looking forward to building on these partnerships and looking forward to earning the support from voters in the portions of Oneida County that have been added to my congressional district,” the congresswoman said.

The following key Congressional funding increases for AFRL Rome are as follows:

– photonic chips for quantum computing: $10,000,000.

– heterogeneously integrated photonics and electronic technologies: $10,000,000.

– quantum entanglement distribution: $10,000,000.

– technology innovation collaborative $2,000,000.

– secure quantum computing facility: $20,000,000.

– cyberspace dominance technology: $10,000,000.

– Future Flag operational experimentation: $25,000,000.

– quantum cryptography: $10,000,000.

– ion trap quantum computing: $15,000,000.

– Internet of things living ecosystem: $2,500,000.

– C-UAS high-speed imaging technology: $2,000,000.

– multi-domain RF spectrum environment: $10,000,000.

– photonic quantum computing: $4,000,000.

– quantum network testbed: $10,000,000.

– UAS traffic management advanced air mobility enhancements: $10,000,000.

– university-based quantum materials applied research: $20,000,000.

– antenna development for assured communications and networks: $20,000,000.

– B-52 agile pod capability: $2,000,000.

– nationwide integration of time resiliently for operations: $1,000,000.

– programmable computing fabric networks: $2,500,000.

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