Navy scientists solve mundane fleet problems.

• Author: Erwin, Sandra
• Position: Defense Insider

Sci-fi projects increasingly are becoming luxuries for U.S. military laboratories. The Navy wants its SI.5 billion science budget to deliver groundbreaking technology; but with Pentagon spending about to start dipping, researchers will see growing pressure to produce tangible payoffs. For the Navy, that means tackling everyday fleet annoyances such as ship corrosion and repairing aging components, said Rear Adm. Matthew L. Klunder, chief of naval research and director of test evaluation and technology requirements.

"This isn't glitzy," he said in an interview. "It isn't going to get you on the Walk of Fame...