Senators Delivered Critical Authorization To Advance AFRL Rome’s Cutting-Edge Research, Development, And Innovation In Quantum Computing, Unmanned Aerial Systems, And Autonomous Cyberwarfare
Schumer And Gillibrand Now Pushing To Deliver Authorized $$ For Rome Lab, Assured Information Security, Griffiss Institute, & CNY Defense Alliance Projects In Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations Bill
Schumer, Gillibrand: Authorized Funding Will Supercharge Rome Lab & Mohawk Valley To Ensure American Leadership In Critical Military & National Security Technologies From Quantum To Drones And More!
Building on decades of support and advocacy, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced that they secured $224.5 million funding authorization for Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) Rome in the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) National Defense Authorization Act, which is $37.5 million higher than the amount requested for Rome Lab in the FY26 President’s Budget released earlier this year. This authorization is a critical milestone that unlocks the federal appropriations process.
“Rome Lab is vital to our national defense, and it’s the powerhouse workforce of the Mohawk Valley that will ensure America leads the globe in quantum computing, drones, cyberwarfare and other next-gen military technologies. Their Extreme Computing Facility is key to America’s quantum research strategy, and I’m proud to announce that I have secured the long-desired federal funding authorization of $224.5 million to turbocharge Rome Lab’s testbed for researching and developing quantum algorithms, networks, and communications,” said Senator Schumer. “Soon, researchers across government, academia, and industry will come to Rome Lab to design and compare quantum algorithms across platforms. I will continue to fight tooth and nail to deliver funding in the budget to get dollars through the door and bring this project to life for the Mohawk Valley.”
“The innovators at Rome Lab represent the very best of New York’s ingenuity, and I am proud to have secured this critical $224.5 million funding authorization to support their cutting-edge work,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This investment is a major step forward in strengthening the Mohawk Valley’s position as the nation’s hub for quantum and cyber research. From quantum networking and cloud computing to unmanned aerial systems, these funds will support good-paying New York jobs and bolster our national security. I will continue fighting to deliver the federal dollars needed to ensure Rome Lab can keep leading the way developing next-generation technology right here in New York.”
The senators said the authorization will support the continued expansion of quantum, cyber, and UAS projects at Rome Lab, cementing the Mohawk Valley as home to America’s premier military scientific research facility and helping maintain American global leadership in emerging national security technologies.
Schumer and Gillibrand said that the $224.5 million authorized by this year’s NDAA includes tens of millions of additional dollars that they successfully fought for and delivered to help Rome Lab turbocharge ongoing initiatives and seed new projects with key partners like the Griffiss Institute, Assured Information Security, the CNY Defense Alliance, and IBM, ranging from quantum networking and communications to unmanned aerial systems, autonomous computing, cyber battlefield technologies, and more. This includes:
- $10 million for Distributed Quantum Networking Testbed and Quantum Cloud Computing Environment
- $5 million for Counter UAS Advanced Detection Systems Pilot Program
- $5 million for Agile, Assured, & Autonomous Battle Management Network and Readiness Accelerator
The $224.5 million authorized for Rome Lab will strengthen Rome Lab’s public-private partnerships and workforce development, deepen collaboration with other government labs, and allow research across government, academia, and industry to design and compare algorithms across different platforms to further expand New York State’s quantum, cyber, and UAS talent pipelines. The senators said this is among the top priorities for the Air Force, AFRL Rome, and the Mohak Valley defense ecosystem, and they will double down on the fight to ensure the funding is included in the final FY26 defense appropriations package.
“The inclusion of the Distributed Quantum Networking Testbed in this year’s NDAA, alongside new Counter-UAS pilot authorities that align with Rome Lab’s capabilities, is a meaningful step forward for Central New York’s defense ecosystem. Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand understand what this region brings to the table, from quantum computing to airspace awareness, and his continued advocacy helps ensure these core competencies receive the federal investment they deserve. We look forward to building on this momentum,” said Nick Stewart, Executive Director, CNY Defense Alliance.
Heather Hage, President and CEO of Griffiss Institute said, “Consistent federal support for Rome Lab advances critical technologies, strengthens the innovation workforce, and drives economic growth in the Mohawk Valley and beyond. Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand demonstrated strong leadership to secure these investments, which are reflective of their ongoing commitment to maintain Rome’s leading position in the national defense innovation community and New York State’s high tech economy.”
“AIS is honored to be part of the team selected to advance the 3A-BMN solution in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate in Rome, NY,” said Charles Green, Chief Executive Officer, Assured Information Security. “3A-BMN represents a decisive step forward in trusted, timely and autonomous battle management, and we’re proud to bring our expertise to a mission that directly strengthens joint force readiness and protects our warfighters. We are grateful for the continued support of our elected officials, particularly Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand, whose actions help enable critical innovation and growth in our region.”
Located in Oneida County, Rome Lab has been the USAF’s “Superlab” since 1997 and is considered the nation’s premier research organization for Command, Control, Communications, Cyber and Intelligence (C4I) technologies. The lab focuses on developing information technology for air, space and ground systems, in addition to partnering with other federal agencies, universities, private industry and other state and local governments.
Schumer and Gillibrand have a long history of delivering for Rome Lab and its collaborators. In recent years, the senators have been particularly supportive of Rome Lab’s quantum, cyber and UAS research, securing tens of millions of dollars to help fund the lab’s Extreme Computing Facility and the Innovare Advancement Center powered by the Griffiss Institute. In 2021, following the senators’ direct advocacy, Rome Lab was designated as the Quantum Information Science Research Center for the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. More than a decade ago, Schumer helped translate Rome Lab’s industry-leading UAS research into practice by successfully championing an increase in the number of UAS Test Sites in the National Airspace System, paving the way for establishment of the Oneida County UAS Test Site at Griffiss International Airport in 2013.
In the years since, Schumer and Gillibrand have fought to reauthorize the test site twice – in 2018 and 2024 – and secured millions of dollars to help launch Sky Dome, a state-of-the-art indoor UAS testing facility located at the test site in Rome. In 2023, Schumer secured $3 Million for the Griffiss Institute’s Smart-X Internet of Things (“IOT”) Living Lab and $1.2 Million to modernize the Air Traffic Control Tower at for Rome Griffis International Airport. Earlier this year, Schumer helped land an up to $300 million US Air Force Engineering for Virtualized Enterprise and Remote Access Technology contract for Assured Information Security to research, prototype and deploy their cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions in support of U.S. military operations.
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