WASHINGTON, D.C. -- United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye announced that the Senate Committee on Appropriations approved $66 million for upgrades and projects at the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF), as well as other related initiatives on the Island of Kauai. This is in addition to day-to-day operational cost associated with the Range, which is approximately $50 million per year. These projects are included in the Fiscal Year 1999 Department of Defense Appropriations bill.

"Today, the PMRF is the largest multi-environmental range in the world, and employs just under 900 workers. From deep ocean, shallow water, land, mountain top to sky, PMRF's capabilities provide a wide variety of simulations. PMRF's capability has also supported the steady flow of submarines from the West Coast to Pearl Harbor. I am pleased that the Committee recognized its strategic importance by appropriating funds to continue to build a strong solid foundation for PMRF as the premier training, and evaluation facility nationwide," stated Senator Inouye.

Senator Inouye's initiatives include:

Base and Range Operations	$11 million
Upgrades related to the tactical missile defense programs and related range upgrades	$30 million
Optical Sensors	$5 million
Mobile Remote Emmitter Simulator	$5 million
Sensor integration development at Makaha Ridge	$11 million
Development of a manufacturing capability for silicon thick film mirror coatings	$2 million
Development of a manufacturing capability for strategic materials	$2 million

These initiatives will now go to the full Senate for consideration. It will then face a joint House-Senate Conference and final House and Senate vote before its transmittal to the White House.