U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) announced Aug. 30 the securing of $8 million in funding to support national defense technology developments at the Cyber Innovation Center.
Sen. Cassidy was joined by CIC leadership to highlight their work with Air Force Global Strike Command and celebrate the $8 million in funding secured by Sen. Cassidy and the Louisiana congressional delegation.
This funding will continue the technology and cost savings developed by the CIC for the U.S. Air Force. Cassidy has been a staunch advocate for the CIC and Barksdale Air Force Base, including in the Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations cycle.
“We need our military to stay on the cutting edge of science and technology to keep America safe. The Cyber Innovation Center is doing great work right here in northwest Louisiana to ensure that happens,” Dr. Cassidy said.
The funding also provided for the development of a revolutionary air refueling trainer for the B-52 aircraft that is estimated to save $4 million per year in costs and will increase safety for America’s airmen who train at Barksdale Air Force Base.
In addition to Cassidy’s advocacy for Fiscal Year 2023 on behalf of the CIC, he supported a Congressional investment in Fiscal Year 2022 that helped the CIC create a solution to the antiquated air crew alerting system that resulted in a $200 million cost savings for the Air Force.
“Senator Cassidy is a great friend of the Cyber Innovation Center,” said Mr. Spohn. “He has secured federal funding for us to partner with Air Force Global Strike Command and develop the military technologies of the future. This will help keep America and Louisiana safe from overseas threats. We look forward to continuing our relationship with the Senator.”
The CIC itself is the anchor of the 3,000-acre National Cyber Research Park, and serves as a catalyst for the development and expansion of a knowledge-based workforce throughout the region.
“I drive through (Haynesville) and think oil and gas is really important to Louisiana. But this [the National Cyber Research Park] is bigger and better,” Dr. Cassidy said. “It’s huge because of what it means for the future of our state. It’s building an economy for 2050.”
— STACEY TINSELY, BIZ. Magazine