Pentagon Research Chief Seeks 11% Boost in 2009

摘要

U.S. academic lobbyists have long urged the Department of Defense (DOD) to boost its investment in science and technology (S&T) to enhance the nation's strategic and economic competitiveness. But although the rnagency's overall S&T portfolio has grown modestly since 2002, funding for basic research has stagnated. Now, in an unprecedented step, the Pentagon's research boss is seeking an 11% increase in DOD's S&T budget for the next fiscal year. Observers say the request, which Pentagon officials appear eager to publicize, improves the long-term prospects for more defense-related research despite the continued cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.