Hill Air Force Base will get a large chunk of the money earmarked for Utah in the Department of Defense Appropriations bill, including $5.4 million to purchase new equipment for an F-16 shop and $4.2 million to improve productivity in overhauling landing gear.

"Hill is one of the top-flight depots in the Air Force, and this funding will go a long way towards making it even more vital to the nation's military," said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. "We're building on successful programs and implementing others that will strengthen Hill's ability to deliver for the men and women in the U.S. Air Force."

Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, said the vote for the defense bills paves the way for a "critical investment in our military and our troops."

"The programs funded today, including those performed at Utah military facilities, universities and defense companies, play a key role in efforts to keep our nation safe," Bennett said.

Additional programs funded

Other money earmarked for Hill includes:

* $4.2 million for a program to extend the life of landing gear.

* $2.5 million to help integrate science and engineering lab data.

* $1 million for a new way to track mechanical malfunctions in aircraft.

Also in the spending bill is:

* $3.5 million for the Utah National Guard to upgrade and improve its intelligence gathering system.

* $2.5 million for research into a new technology using radar to detect incoming kinetic energy weapons, anti-tank missiles or rocket-propelled grenades.

Additionally, Utah universities will receive $7.1 million for defense related research, including $3.9 million for Utah State University to develop a system to control and collect images from multiple unmanned aircraft.