WASHINGTON, D. C., November 18, 1999 - Kentucky has six million reasons to celebrate as the result of action by the U.S. Congress. Research at the University of Louisville will be accelerated for development of truck technologies with Ford Motor Company for potential use by the U.S. Department of Defense in tactical military trucks. The just enacted Defense Appropriations bill includes $6 million in fiscal year 2000 for the research effort. This supports the "Improved Materials and Powertrain Architectures for 21st Century Trucks" (IMPACT) program for the U. S. Army, aimed at developing lightweight, fuel efficient, corrosion resistant, low cost trucks for commercial and military use.

"The Commonwealth of Kentucky has a great deal to gain from the IMPACT initiative," said Senator Mitch McConnell, R-KY, a member of the Republican Congressional leadership and the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. "Ford builds many of its larger pickup trucks in Louisville and the U.S. Army is a major user of military trucks on its large bases in the state." McConnell led Senate efforts for the research project.

Rep. Anne Northup, R-KY, who represents Louisville, championed the IMPACT project in the US. House of Representatives. The IMPACT program will focus on the use of high-strength steel, laser welded blanks and improved bonding to significantly reduce the weight of a Ford F-Series--the best selling truck in North America--for potential military application. ....

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