Fischer Secures $384 Million for Key Defense Programs

Bill Secures Funding for STRATCOM Projects and Other National Security Priorities

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured over $384 million for key U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM), 55th Wing, 557th Weather Wing, and other national security priorities in the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Defense Appropriations Bill.

The legislation, which must still be reconciled with legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and voted upon by the U.S. Senate, was unanimously approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee.

"This legislation will provide funding for our military and help us stay prepared for any future conflicts. In a world where global threats are constantly evolving, we need to modernize our forces and leverage cutting-edge technologies to stay ahead. Nebraska is at the forefront of that mission," said Senator Fischer.

Provisions secured by Senator Fischer in the funding legislation include:

• $252 million in research funding for the development of a nuclear-armed, submarine-launched cruise missile (SLCM)
• $10 million for STRATCOM's NC3 Enterprise Center's network sensor demonstration
• $10 million for STRATCOM's NC3 Enterprise Center's rapid engineering architecture collaboration hub (REACH) program
• $7.5 million for research on the development of Mark 41 Vertical Launching System's hatches
• $1 million in research funding for a test range for Department of Defense cyber programs
• $2 million in research funding for improving the Weather Wing's sensing and modeling capabilities in the stratosphere
• $4 million in research funding for the Weather Wing's flood mapping and forecasting tool
• $19.1 million for RC-135 sensor modernization
• $3 million in research funding for onshoring a niobium mine-to-oxide supply chain for aerospace critical superalloys
• $2.5 million in research funding for shaping metallic surfaces for thermal system management
• $1.5 million in research funding for advanced energetics
• $2.5 million in research funding for enhancing musculoskeletal performance (specifically in cold weather)
• $1 million in research funding for the Weather Wing's data migration
• $3 million in research funding to help the Department of Defense prepare for potential extreme health crises
• $15 million for the Joint Civilian-Military Medical Surge Pilot Program
• An increase of $47.5 million for collaborative defense technology projects with Israel