Leahy Tours Williston’s Microstrain Inc.,
Announces $3.7 M. In Contracts
For Innovative Systems To Improve Aircraft Safety And Maintenance

WILLISTON, Vt. (Thursday, July 5) – Senator Patrick Leahy Thursday announced that Microstrain Inc. of Vermont has been awarded two U.S. Navy contracts totaling $3.7 million for the development of a highly specialized stress detection system to aid in maintaining the Navy’s high-performance aircraft and in keeping them safe fly.  Leahy toured the Williston facility Thursday.

Microstrain, founded 20 years ago and headquartered in Williston, develops and manufactures advanced strain gauges, which facilitate measuring stress loads on items as varied as bridges and artificial knee joints.  The Navy has contracted with Microstrain to produce its highly developed, small wireless strain gauge which can be attached to critical stress points inside aircraft.  Data collected from the gauges’ sensors allows technicians to determine the stress levels on particular aircraft components.  Ultimately, the system will enable maintenance crews to more effectively and efficiently determine what repairs need to be made to aircraft, and when, maximizing the use of the aircraft fleet, and ultimately saving lives.

Leahy on Thursday viewed a live demonstration of the innovative sensor technology. 

“The hardworking, highly trained employees of Microstrain are another example of how high-tech firms are diversifying and expanding Vermont’s economic landscape,” said Leahy.  “This innovative system will help the Navy keep more aircraft in the air more efficiently, improving safety factors for our fliers.” 

“Our energy harvesting wireless sensing node was awarded a Best of Sensors Expo Gold award at the June 2007 Sensors Expo in Chicago,” said Steve Arms, President of Microstrain.  “This ground breaking technology will generate significant growth within our firm, creating new jobs for engineers, computer scientists, and electrical technicians.  We expect to double in size from our current level of 30 persons to over 60 within the next two years.”

The funding stems from two contracts Leahy helped secure for the company, one a recently inked contract for $1.75 million from the Fiscal Year 2006 Defense Appropriations Bill, and one a soon-to-be-finalized contract for upwards of $1.95 million in the Fiscal Year 2007 Defense Appropriations Bill.  Leahy is a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and of the panel’s Defense Subcommittee, which drafts the annual defense budget. 

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