A Defense spending bill that could pass through Congress as soon as this week includes measures that would bolster Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s Air Force Institute of Technology, as well as encourage the development of the Dayton region as a hub for unmanned aerial vehicles.

House and Senate negotiators Wednesday ironed out final differences in the National Defense Authorization Bill. Rep. Mike Turner, R-Dayton, and Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, were among those negotiating the final version of the bill.

The bill included language that would allow more industry employees to attend AFIT, which is the Air Force’s key center for post-graduate education. Specifically, it directs the secretary of Defense to establish an agreement with the National Research Council to complete a review of Defense Department specialized degree-granting graduate programs in engineering, science and management.

The language would help contractors interested in attending AFIT to do so. Civilian attendees will be required to pay their expenses. Turner said the bill “builds upon the progress southwest Ohio has made in terms of being a leader in the development and education of our service members, and the supporting industry.”

It also included language directing the Defense Department to coordinate with the Federal Aviation Administration and NASA to conduct joint research and find solutions to challenges associated with the integration of Unmanned Air Systems in the National Airspace System. By doing so, lawmakers hope to ensure safety and encourage development of unmanned aerial vehicles. Wright-Patterson and surrounding military contractors have worked to develop the technology. Turner called the provision “key” for Ohio, which hopes to be named an unmanned aerial test range.

The bill also included $136 million to pay for upgrades to M1A1 and M1A2 tanks, which are done at the Joint Systems Manufacturing Center in Lima, also known as the Lima Tank Plant. That money is hoped to keep the plant — which had been targeted for temporary closure by the Obama administration — operational.

Finally, it inclued $150 million for research and development at the proposed American Centrifuge Project in Piketon, Ohio - a uranium enrichment plant that has been long in the works in southern Ohio about 70 miles southeast of Dayton.

President Obama has said he will veto the bill; but Portman, in conference call with reporters Tuesday, said it’s unclear if he will do so.