Military scientists expected to be spared from DoD cuts

Technology

Military scientists expected to be spared from DoD cuts

National Defense Magazine reports that despite massive budget cuts, DoD\'s scientists will probably be spared.

Federal News Network Staff

October 18, 2010 6:29 pm

< a min read

Budget cuts at the Pentagon may seem inevitable, but military scientists are expected to be spared.

National Defense Magazine reports DoD’s annual $2 billion investment in basic research will probably remain immune from any budget cuts. Senior defense officials are quoted as saying the research community will likely remain in a very good posture for the next five or six years.

Like every other department organization, Defense research labs are being asked to cut administrative costs so more money is available for actual research. But military labs have been dealing with growing pressure to push technologies that warfighters can actually use in the field.

Furthering that pressure, military officials often point out that the Pentagon no longer drives the technology train. The private sector funds nearly 75 percent of the nation’s research and development efforts.

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