U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords voted with an overwhelming bipartisan majority in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Dec. 17, to provide critical funding for the Department of Defense in 2010.

The bill includes $4.8 million for three Southern Arizona defense projects, including two research projects at the University of Arizona. Giffords sought funding for the projects, which were not originally included in the bill.

This bill puts U.S. troops first by making sure they are prepared and equipped for whatever challenges they may face, said Giffords, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. The funding demonstrates the continued importance of the role played by Southern Arizonans in the protection of our nation and the defense of our freedoms.

The House approved the2010 Defense Appropriations Bill by a 395-to-34 vote. It now goes to the Senate for onsideration.

Included in the bill were three projects proposed by Giffords. They are: $2 million for the Asymmetric Threat Response and Analysis Project. The UA is working with the U.S. Army Battle Labs Asymmetric Threat Response and Analysis Program at Fort Huachuca to develop advanced analytic and decision assistance techniques and software programs to predict asymmetric threats. This funding continues that research. ATRAP integrates cultural, political, psychological, economic and linguistic data to develop meaningful and relevant potential military responses. The goal is to protect war fighters and civilian advisers in combat zones. Giffords said the project has a strong track record.

Research totaling $1.6 million is for the UA into high temperature radar dome materials. The military will require development of offensive and defensive missile systems that can attain speeds above Mach 5. No such systems currently exist with radomes able to withstand the heating produced at these speeds. This leads to an increase in the radar signature of the missile, which means it can be targeted more easily. UA researchers will develop new high-temperature materials able to transmit radio frequencies for high-speed missiles. The work also is expected to benefit the development of launch vehicles for satellite operations and heat shields for NASA.

And, $1.2 million will be for Air Education and Training Command range improvements at the Barry M. Goldwater Range This funding will enable the Air Force to ensure that the ranges utilized by Davis-Monthan and Luke Air Force Bases continue to provide the most realistic training environment for current and future missions. The range will add equipment to train for precision strikes in urban terrain, the ability to defeat moving targets and evacuate the wounded in contested urban environments.

Included in the bill is a 3.4 percent pay increase for members of the military.

The bill also includes $29.2 billion for the Defense Health Program to provide quality medical care for service members and their families.