PUBLIC LAW 105-261—OCT. 17, 1998 112 STAT. 1949 should have the flexibility to allocate a combination of funds available for the Department of Defense for basic and applied research and for advanced development to support any individual project or program within the Defense Science and Technology Program, but such flexibility should not change the allocation of funds in any flscal year among basic and applied research and advanced development. (4) MANAGEMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. — It is the sense of Congress that— (A) management and funding for the Defense Science and Technology Program for each military department should receive a level of priority and leadership attention equal to the level received by program acquisition, and the Secretary of each military department should ensure that a senior official in the department holds the appropriate title and responsibility to ensure effective oversight and emphasis on science and technology; (B) to ensure an appropriate long-term focus for investments, a sufficient percentage of science and technology funds should be directed toward new technology areas, and annual reviews should be conducted for ongoing research areas to ensure that those funded initiatives are either integrated into acquisition programs or discontinued when appropriate; (C) the Secretary of each military department should take appropriate steps to ensure that sufficient numbers of officers and civilian employees in the department hold advanced degrees in technical fields; and (D) of particular concern, the Secretary of the Air Force should take appropriate measures to ensure that sufficient numbers of scientists and engineers are maintained to address the technological challenges faced in the areas of air, space, and information technology. (c) STUDY.— (1) REQUIREMENT. — The Secretary of Defense, in cooperation with the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences, shall conduct a study on the technology base of the Department of Defense. (2) MATTERS COVERED.— The study shall— (A) result in recommendations on the minimum requirements for maintaining a technology base that is sufficient, based on both historical developments and future projections, to project superiority in air and space weapons systems and in information technology; (B) address the effects on national defense and civilian aerospace industries and information technology of reducing funding below the goal described in subsection (a); and (C) result in recommendations on the appropriate levels of staff" with baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees, and the optimal ratio of civilian and military staff" holding such degrees, to ensure that science and technology functions of the Department of Defense remain vital. (3) REPORT. —Not later than 120 days after the date on which the study required under paragraph (1) is completed, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the results of the study.
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