Quad Cities region secures 2020 legislative successes for Rock Island Arsenal

The Quad Cities region was successful in securing several legislative victories in 2020 that will continue to support the Rock Island Arsenal’s sustainability and impact. These victories built off significant wins in 2019 that helped align the Rock Island Arsenal with major Army modernization priorities and the National Defense Strategy. The Rock Island Arsenal has been producing Army readiness since 1862. 

“We appreciate our congressional delegation’s active engagement to ensure the Rock Island Arsenal continues to support our nation’s security while positively impacting our region’s economy,” said Davenport Mayor Mike Matson, who also serves as Vice Chair of the Rock Island Arsenal Defense Alliance (RIADA) Board of Directors.

“The Rock Island Arsenal is a crucial asset for both our national security and the Quad Cities region, which is why I’ve advocated for federal funding and job initiatives that boost the Arsenal’s competitiveness,” U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) said. “I also want to applaud the men and women at the Arsenal for stepping up at a time of dire need and working to 3D print ventilator and facemask components amid this pandemic. I’ve been very proud over the years of what we’ve accomplished at Rock Island and I’ll keep working with my colleagues to invest in opportunities for continued growth.”

“The Rock Island Arsenal is critical to both our national security and local economy,” U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) said. “I’m proud to work with my colleagues to support the long-term success of the Arsenal as it continues to be a leader in defense manufacturing and innovation. I’m glad Congress appropriated funding for programs that support the work of the Arsenal, including continued manufacturing at the Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center, production at the Army’s Advanced and Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence and investments in community infrastructure.”

“The Rock Island Arsenal is a critical part of our nation’s defense strategy and the Quad Cities community that drives the local economy,” U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL) said. “As a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, I have worked to secure the funding and resources the Arsenal needs to remain strong and am proud of what we have accomplished together. I look forward to partnering with my colleagues in Congress and RIADA to ensure future success.”

Throughout 2020, the RIADA advocated for several priorities for the Rock Island Arsenal in these three key areas:

1. Support the Rock Island Arsenal (RIA) – Joint Manufacturing & Technology Center (JMTC)

• Secured $120 million to work on the next generation of the Shop Equipment Contact Maintenance (SECM) system, a mobile shop shelter that is mounted on the back of a Humvee. In 2010, RIA-JMTC was designated a Center of Industrial and Technical Excellence for Mobile Maintenance systems, which included the SECM.
• Secured $25 million for the development of soft recoil technology, which supports a range of Combatant Commanders' operational needs.

2. Ramp up production at the Army’s Advanced and Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence

• Secured an additional $10 million to sustain the Large-Scale Additive Concept aimed at partnering opportunities with the Center of Excellence and engineering commands for research and development of a jointless hull to possibly be used in the next-generation combat vehicle.
• A commitment from the Army to develop an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) at the Center of Excellence. An OTA is a creative acquisition tool that requires the development of a prototype but can speed up the deployment of new capabilities to the warfighter.

3. Continue to build infrastructure and partnership on the Rock Island Arsenal

In addition to the manufacturing facility, other tenant commands and organizations, such as the U.S. Army Sustainment Command, First U.S. Army, U.S. Joint Munitions Command and many others, have nearly 7,000 employees.

• Secured $1.5 million and legislative language authorizing a pilot program to create an online real estate management tool to help improve the Army stationing process and to better leverage underutilized space for Army needs. This builds off years of advocacy to improve underutilized space at Rock Island Arsenal and is in partnership with U.S. Army headquarters staff.
• The Quad Cities congressional delegation along with significant interest by many congressional delegations across the country secured an additional $60 million for the Defense Community Infrastructure Program to help improve infrastructure outside of the Arsenal while improving military value. The program helps local communities offset costs to address critical infrastructure upgrades that are needed to support the Department of Defense’s mission. 
• Secured an additional $25 million for the Defense Manufacturing Communities program to help support and grow the skillsets of RIA employees. The program will make long‐term investments in critical skills, research and development and small business support in order to strengthen the national security innovation base, working in coordination with the defense manufacturing institutes.
• Secured report language to have the Army study opportunities to better sustain munitions with the potential for increased sustainment of munitions at Joint Munitions Command on Rock Island Arsenal.