October 25, 2023

In Response to Lawmakers’ Request Air Force Provides Updates on Progress of MIT Lincoln Laboratory’s West Lab Project

“The Department of the Air Force remains committed… to meet these critical requirements in a timely, efficient, and cost effective manner.”

Lawmakers' Letter to Air Force (PDF) | Air Force’s Letter to Lawmakers (PDF)

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.), along with Representatives Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), Lori Trahan (D-Mass.), and Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), today released a letter from the Air Force, sharing construction completion timelines, cost estimates, and confirming the Department of the Air Force’s commitment to continue working in partnership “to meet these critical requirements in a timely, efficient, and cost effective manner.”

“Massachusetts has long been a leader in science and technology, and I’m pleased to hear that West Lab Project’s revitalization efforts are moving forward at Hanscom Air Force Base,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “Lincoln Laboratory’s work is critical to advance our national security and I look forward to working with my federal, state, and local partners to continue moving this project along.”

“Massachusetts is the revolutionary state, including 21st century revolutionary technology, ” said Senator Ed Markey. “I am grateful for the Air Force’s response to our delegation’s letter. The Defense Department must ensure that West Lab remains on track and has the funding necessary so that our Commonwealth can continue to serve as a trailblazer and create cutting-edge technologies critical to U.S. security.”

“Thanks to the advocacy of our federal delegation, the Air Force clearly recognizes the importance of Lincoln Laboratory’s West Lab Project at Hanscom Air Force Base,” said Representative Lori Trahan. “We will continue working across every level of government and with our partners in the private sector to advance this project, which will be critical in building on Massachusetts’ long history of fostering innovation and unlocking breakthroughs to protect our national security.”

“I'm glad to learn that the construction of West Lab Project at Hanscom Air Force Base is progressing and will be completed in 2026," said Representative Katherine Clark. "This is a critical project when it comes to our military readiness and strengthening our national security. Massachusetts is eager for this innovation space to open so we can continue to lead America forward.”

Last month, the lawmakers wrote to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall requesting budgetary, schedule, and execution updates on both the Compound Semi-Conductor Laboratory and Microelectronic Integration Facility (CSL-MIF) and the Engineering Prototyping Facility (EPF) at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts.

  • Last year Senator Warren secured $2 million for superconducting microelectronics at MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory in the fiscal year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act.
  • In September 2021, Senators Warren and Markey sent a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) seeking information about whether the USACE request for proposals (RFP) for the construction of the new CSL-MIF at MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory includes the option for a Project Labor Agreement (PLA).
  • In February 2013, Senators Warren and Markey, along with Representatives William Cowan (D-Mass.), Richard Neal (D-Mass.), James McGovern (D-Mass.), John Tiernet (D-Mass.), Michael Capuano (D-Mass.), Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), Niki Tsongas (D-Mass.), William Keating (D-Mass.), and Joseph Kennedy (D-Mass.), sent a letter to Defense Secretary Ashton Carter about the urgent need for modernization of the facilities at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory.

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