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FYI
The American Institute of Physics Bulletin of Science Policy News
Number 68: May 30, 2003

FY 2004 Authorization for Defense S&T Flat

Part 2 of 2

"The Department of Defense faces numerous competing priorities and
operational demands. However, the committee notes that without a
stable long-term investment in basic research and technology
development, the recent display of the armed forces' technological
advantages, such as precision weaponry, unmanned systems, smart
munitions and increased situational awareness, would not have been
possible. These technological success stories stand on the shoulders
of decades of investment in core scientific disciplines such as
chemistry, physics, materials research and information technology. 

"The men and women of the armed forces rely upon the scientific and
technological innovation funded within this bill for rapidly
increasing capability on the battlefield. The transformation of the
armed services depends upon enhancing our technological advantages in
areas such as unmanned systems and technologies to combat terrorism
and defeat weapons of mass destruction. Therefore, the committee
recommends an increase of over $130.0 million in unmanned systems and
an increase of more than $150.0 million in technologies to combat the
threats of terrorism at home and abroad. 

"While the Department is increasing its budget request for the
Science and Technology Program, the committee remains concerned that
the investment in basic research has remained stagnant and is too
focused on near-term demands. Therefore, the committee recommends an
increase of $50.0 million for basic research. In addition, the
committee directs the Director of Defense Research and Engineering to
commission a study by the National Academy of Sciences to assess the
basic research portfolio of the services and the Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency (DARPA). This assessment should review the
basic research portfolio in order to determine if the programs are
consistent with the definitions of basic research in DoD regulation.
This report is not intended to rate the worthiness of the basic
research portfolio, but rather to determine whether the basic
research portfolio needs to be realigned to be more consistent with
the goals of traditional fundamental research activities. 

"The committee recommends that the Department utilize all possible
means to ensure that awards of grants and contracts for research and
development programs are awarded through competitive, merit-based
selection procedures." 

There was not comparable House report committee language on science
and technology.  A committee summary of their bill states: 

"Defense science and technology programs are critical to maintaining
U.S. military technological superiority in the face of evolving
threats to U.S. national security interests around the world.
However, the Administration's budget request for science and
technology of 2.7 percent of the total DOD budget does not meet the
goal of three percent established by the 2001 Quadrennial Defense
Review. In addition, the committee is concerned that the military
services' science and technology budget requests are not sufficient
to meet their transformation goals.  As such, the committee
recommends $10.9 billion ($662 million more than the Administration's
request) for the DOD science and technology program, including $2
billion for the Army, $1 billion for the Navy, $2.3 billion for the
Air Force, and $4.7 billion for Defense Agency science and
technology (including $2.9 billion for DARPA, the Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency)." 

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Richard M. Jones
Media and Government Relations Division
The American Institute of Physics
fyi{at}aip.org    http://www.aip.org/gov
(301) 209-3094
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