The U.S. Senate passed the $636 billion Department of Defense appropriations bill that includes millions of dollars for military-related projects by Michigan companies, including an allocation of $800,000 for research and development of optical interconnect technology for military aircraft. The next generation data and communication management systems needed for weapons platforms will depend upon tightly integrated optical fiber solutions, which reportedly provide decreased weight, immunity to electromagnetic interference and other advantages.Learn more at the Detroit News Web site.