Air force technology programs need steady funding, support.

• Author: Rietze, Susan
• Position: Analysis

Air Force science and technology budgets are slightly on the rise, but the funding still is not adequate to satisfy current demands and emerging requirements, said a panel of researchers. A report by the National Research Council, entitled, "Effectiveness of Air Force Science and Technology Program Changes," points out that Air Force science and technology programs are under-financed, lack a competent workforce and demand better visibility in order to keep funding and interest levels high.

U.S. involvement in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom prompted funding cuts in the areas of science, technology, research, development, testing and engineering. Both readiness and modernization priorities compete with science and technology for both resources and advocacy.

Constant reallocation of funds undermines science and technology projects, which need consistent funding to project future requirements and anticipate the needs for new technologies.

In the past, Air Force allocation for science and technology dollars has fluctuated, from an average of $2.1 billion a year during the 1980s to an average of $1.3 billion during the 1990s. Further, an unstable budget profile over the past 20 years makes program planning and execution virtually impossible, said the NRC study.

The 2002 Air Force science and technology budget was about $1.66 billion. This is half of what is considered ideal to support the service's anticipated short- and long-term goals.

The council identified six long term objectives: finding and tracking, command and control, controlled effects, rapid air and space response, effective air and space persistence.

Among the short-term goals are: target location, identification and tracking; command, control, communications, computers, intelligence (C41); precision attack, space control, access to space, aircraft survivability and countermeasures, sustaining aging systems and air expeditionary force support.

Programs in applied research and advanced technology development constitute over 50 percent of the total science and technology budget. Of the $1.66 billion, $243.5 million is allocated for propulsion technology, $195 million for military satellite communications, $162.7 million for sensors, $123 million for air vehicles and $121.9 million for manufacturing.

Adding to the financial woes of Air Force science and technology programs, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration cut back its support of Air Force aeronautics by...