which is in development and applied to specific weapons systems. However, $3 billion or $4 billion is in basic and applied research. That part of the agency is particularly vulnerable, because the Joint Chiefs of Staff don't see that investment translating into battlefield superiority on any time scale that is within their watch.

With the Department of Defense budget being under pressure and the numbers of forces, ships, and airplanes being reduced, I have heard unfortunate news about decisions on certain elements of research laboratories' budgets, which I hope isn't true. But I don't know.