By Shelia Watson
Contributing Writer

Congress has approved more than $100 million in South Carolina- related defense projects, with eight companies in the Lowcountry receiving the largest portion of the funding as compared with other parts of the state.

The funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2006 Defense Appropriations Bill, which passed the Senate 93-0.

“South Carolina is in the forefront of developing cutting-edge military technology and equipping our men and women in uniform,” said U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham,R-S.C., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “Many people in our state give their time, talent and even their lives to provide for the defense of freedom throughout the world. … This bill will ensure that America continues to have the best trained and equipped fighting force in history.”

U.S. Sen Jim DeMint echoed Graham’s statements.

“This legislation recognizes South Carolina’s cutting edge research and development and equipment production capabilities,” said DeMint. “This bill will benefit our military and fund the equipment necessary to sustain our men and women in uniform.”

Among the companies receiving funds is Charleston Marine Containers Inc., which produces specialty containers for commercial and military logistical needs.

This is the third year the company was awarded such a contract. Last year, the Army awarded CMCI a half-billion dollar contract, the largest ever awarded for containers.

Also in line for a portion of the funding is the Critical Infrastructure Protection Center, operated by SPAWAR Systems Center Charleston and its support contractors.

The CIPC integrates information operations, emergency management and other critical infrastructure protection initiatives to deliver alerts, warnings and situation reports to several organizations, keeping them aware of domestic activities.

The Lowcountry projects funded in the bill are:

• $27 million for the purchase of two C-17 Maintenance Training Systems produced in Summerville.

• $3 million for the purchase of Quadruple Specialty Containers produced in Charleston.

• $3 million for the development of the Joint Threat Warning System, an air communication surveillance system that provides direct warning to aircraft operating over hostile territory, enhancing situational awareness and increasing aircrew survivability and the probability of mission success. Its development is based in Charleston.

• $2.25 million for the South Carolina Research Authority to support the Lean Munitions program in Charleston. Lean Munitions will result in ammunition being produced in a timelier and cost efficient manner.

• $2 million for the development of an automated container and cargo handling system. The Autolog System will be able to transfer containers from ship-to-ship or ship-to-lighter/dock. Development is based in Charleston.

• $2.7 million for the Critical Infrastructure Protection Center in Charleston.

• $1.5 million for the development of vaccines for multivalent dengue viruses in Charleston.

• $1 million for additional SecureD real-time data encryption development, testing and demonstration.

Projects for companies in the Lowcountry total more than $42 million.

The remaining amount is earmarked as $5.5 million for companies in the Upstate, $13.25 million for companies in the Midlands, $10.75 million for companies in the Piedmont and $37.25 million for companies operating statewide.

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