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One Year Later, Local Defense Sector Seeks Growth (Mass High Tech)
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How I See It
One year later, local defense sector seeks growth
Mass High Tech: The Journal of New England Technology - May 8, 2006
by Alan J. Macdonald
In a state with a long tradition of military and technology excellence, May 2005 stands out as a historic month for the Massachusetts defense community. Despite years of predictions to the contrary, the Pentagon last May recommended it keep open (and even add jobs to) the state's two top military technology facilities -- preserving 33,000 jobs and $3.2 billion in annual economic activity. One year later, Massachusetts is poised to build on the promise of these bases and deliver new economic opportunities for the region -- while continuing to provide critical mission support for the most technologically advanced military in the world.
Massachusetts' favorable outcome in the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process was made possible through an unprecedented collaboration between industry, academia and our elected leaders on all levels of government. State leaders saw the potential threat of base closings years ago and set into motion a plan that led to the creation of the Massachusetts Defense Technology Initiative (MassDTI) which, under co-chairs Sen. Edward Kennedy and Gov. Mitt Romney, drove the state's successful strategy to preserve and enhance Hanscom Air Force Base and the Natick Soldier Systems Center.
In 2006, MassDTI's work is not done. Building on the success of its BRAC mission, MassDTI has evolved into an organization dedicated to improving Massachusetts' competitive climate for defense technology companies and bringing new military missions here. With the leadership of many of the state's leading defense firms, universities and research facilities, MassDTI is working, among other priorities, to:
Tap the technology potential at Natick SSC -- Natick is an Army research and development center that for 50 years has delivered for U.S. warfighters countless life-saving technologies, including Kevlar body armor and solar-powered field batteries. MassDTI is working to strengthen the collaborative relationships between Natick and the region's defense technology cluster, which will lead to more innovation and help speed the process of delivering technologies to the battlefield. The goal is to position Natick as the recognized world leader in technology systems and products for the warfighter.
Develop an enhanced vision for Hanscom AFB -- In a surprising decision last May, the Pentagon recommended adding more than 1,100 jobs to Hanscom, the Air Force's center for command and control technology. While these new jobs stalled in the bureaucracy of the BRAC process, the Pentagon clearly demonstrated that it views Hanscom as a key technology center for the future.
In the BRAC process, Pentagon leaders were impressed by the state's willingness to assist in the development of the bases -- capped off by a $242 million state bond authorization that was unanimously approved by the Legislature. Massachusetts needs to recreate that sense of partnership between the Pentagon and the industry, academic and political communities in order to chart a course that propels Hanscom to become the premier military technology installation in the nation.
Create new opportunities in homeland security -- The increased national focus on protecting the homeland should create significant opportunities for the Massachusetts economy because of our research prowess and competency in developing military technologies that have crossover applications for homeland security. MassDTI will work with defense and mainstream technology employers to help them navigate the homeland security marketplace.
MassDTI was created to address the looming threat of base closures and marches on with a progressive and competitive agenda for the s
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Video: May 16 Breakfast with Congresswoman Tsongas at Mercury Computer Systems (7/7/08)
Governor Makes Case for Cyber Command at Hanscom (5/22/08)
Regional Effort Needed to Attract Cyberspace Command (4/25/08)
General Quenneville Tapped to Lead Regions Defense Voice (1/25/08)
Hanscom Could Be Site of Cyber Command Center (3/20/08)
Bay State Officials Target Air Force Cyber R&D Dollars (1/4/08)
Natick Labs: Business, Military Putting Their Brains Together (11/27/07)
Base Realignments Lead Tech Firms to Ocean State (11/20/07)
Amid Bio Push, Older Tech Firms Look for Love (11/16/07)
Collaboration is Critical to Mass. Defense Sector (9/7/07)
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