Defence tech lab receives funding

Attempts to develop a new battlefield communications system based on wireless fidelity (WiFi) for the US military is on track to receive a $2.7 million boost from Congress, says Local Tech Wire.

The WiFi Test Lab at the Defence and Security Technology Accelerator in Fayetteville will receive the funds, assuming the fiscal year 2008 defence appropriations Bill wins approval in the Senate, congressman Robin Hayes said on Wednesday.

The Bill has already passed in the House Appropriations Committee and is expected to be passed soon by the full house, Hayes said.

The Indonesian Military and five state-run universities signed a memorandum of understanding on human resources development, science and technology, says The Jakarta Post.

Their aim is to back up strategic state enterprises and to prop up the defence industry.

Both sides admitted the low defence budget would make a major hurdle out of strengthening the defence industry. But, they agreed, it would see an end to the country's dependence on the foreign weapon system.

Officials said the House of Representatives is one step closer to approving a military spending plan that will bring $24 million to the central coast, reports The KSBW Channel.

A total of $10 million of the proposed cash was slated for the Naval Postgraduate School to modernise its laboratories.

Another $5 million was penned for the Centre for Defence Technology and Education.