Mikulski Innovation Tour Focuses on New Tech

Senator Barbara A. Mikulski's (D-Md.) military innovation tour made its fourth stop today at Northrop Grumman's Oceanic and Naval Systems facility. Senator Mikulski announced that she has succeeded in her fight to fully fund the Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS) at $147.5 million this year. This money will fund continued research, development, testing and evaluation of the ASDS technology and begin the purchase of a second ASDS vehicle. ASDS is a state-of-the-art submarine designed to deliver Navy special operations forces (SEALs) to essential areas safely and covertly through dangerous waters. The project supports more than 200 jobs and brings in $100 million annually to the area. "Today, I've brought my military innovation tour to Annapolis to highlight the work being done to keep America strong by developing smarter tools for our Navy," said Senator Mikulski. "The work at Northrop Grumman shows that together, we can do better. We are developing the smart new weapons that keep our war fighters safe, while creating hundreds of high-tech jobs in Anne Arundel County." Senator Mikulski will visit several more military facilities on her innovation tour of Maryland as she addresses the development of smarter tools for our military, new jobs for the state and innovative technology that will protect our troops. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Defense Subcommittee, Senator Mikulski has fought since 2000 to secure more than $50 million in additional funding for ASDS. "We face a global war against terrorism with predatory nations and groups that want to do us harm. But they won't succeed. We are developing the smart new technologies and smart new weapons that are going to keep America safe," said Senator Mikulski. "I will continue to fight to make sure we are making the right investments to develop the new ideas that will protect us."