BATH — The fiscal 2010 U.S. Department of Defense spending bill, which includes $1 billion for a destroyer expected to be worked on at Bath Iron Works, has been approved by the U.S. Senate.

The office of U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, on Tuesday announced passage of the $636.3 billion bill, which includes $1.5 million for Brunswick-based Technology Systems. That money funds additional development of a threat identification program, along with test and demonstration on small craft to facilitate tailoring of the system for small craft operators.

Both the full Senate and House have now passed their own versions of both the fiscal 2010 authorization and appropriations bills, Bath Iron Works spokesman Jim DeMartini said on Wednesday. The bills must now be reconciled in committees.

Along with monies appropriated in the fiscal 2009 defense bill, the 2010 appropriation is expected to pay for the third Zumwalt-class DDG 1000 vessel, DeMartini said.

He said Northrop Grumman in Pascagoula, Miss., is planned to provide the composite deck house and helicopter hangar, as well as the aft peripheral vertical launch system for all three DDG 1000 destroyers. BIW will then build the rest of the ships and incorporate the Northrop portions.

BIW is currently ramping up production of the first DDG 1000, which the shipyard plans to deliver to the U.S. Navy in 2013.

“We’re pleased to see that the full Senate has approved full funding for the third DDG 1000 and very much appreciate the efforts of Sen. Collins and others to keep DDG 1000 as a priority,” DeMartini said. “The third DDG 1000 will provide some stability in our business planning, allow our shipbuilders to continue to improve our processes and enable us to continue delivering high quality, affordable ships to the Navy.”

Alex Lear can be reached at 373-9060 ext. 113 or alear@theforecaster.net.

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