The Pentagon's research infrastructure is deteriorating, according to a recent Department of Defense report. The report states that research funds are being diverted to operations, causing the research, development, test, and evaluation infrastructure to weaken.
The study examined government laboratories, think tanks, and university research centers, visiting 30 sites and collecting unprecedented data. It found that while the defense research enterprise is fundamentally sound, it needs to adapt to a new environment driven by commercial technology and global security threats.
The report highlights several issues, including backlogged security clearances, limited funds, and a slow hiring process. It also notes that the Pentagon lacks a clear understanding of its research infrastructure and fails to take full advantage of its discoveries, resulting in delays in new technologies reaching the field.
