Defense bill has millions for FAMU research

Next year, FAMU professors will continue their cutting-edge research designed to equip America’s soldiers with the very best battlefield technology. The Fiscal Year 2010 Department of Defense Appropriations bill includes a $7.2M research grant that FAMU will share with two other institutions.

The Multi-Utility Materials for Army Future Combat Systems initiative is designed to enable FAMU, in partnership with Iowa State University and the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, to support the U.S. Army in developing and evaluating weapons and protective armor materials, with emphasis on survivability. The proposed work includes development of new materials and nondestructive techniques to assure that those materials have the desired properties to provide optimal and reliable protection to the soldier.

The House version of the defense bill includes $4.8M for FAMU to provide the military with new ways to detect and trace improvised explosive devices, requested by Congressman Allen Boyd and others. FAMU received a grant for the same amount during last year's session.