Clinton's FY '94 budget shows little change in defense spending or projects, despite campaign promises. The budget for research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) will increase from $38.2M to $38.6M. [Philip Finnegan, Defense News, 3/29, p. 1.] $7.6B of this is for science and technology programs. Total defense service funding for basic research is about $1.3B, but programs are on hold as the Pentagon determines control hierarchies for the new DoD prototype-only procurement policy. John Deutch, the nominated undersecretary of defense for technology and hardware, will need some time to set directions. A new deputy for advanced technology demonstrations is planned. Service laboratories will shrink by at least $200M, and several may merge. [George Leopold, ibid, 4/5, p. 8.]

The US Army is starting a wide-ranging review of its 1995-2000 C3 needs, led by Gen. Peter Kind, director of information systems for C3 and computers. Priorities are to be set by front-line troops and multiservice commanders, not by technology experts. There will be increased reliance on simulations, as well as on satellites and computerized radios. [Neil Munro, Defense News, 3/22, p. 12.]

The Pentagon has decided to retain the $20B post of assistant secretary of defense for command, control, communications, and intelligence (C3I). [Ibid, 3/29, p. 6.] Clinton has selected retired Army general Emmett Paige for the post. Paige is president and CEO of OAO Corp. (Greenbelt, MD). [Ibid, 4/5, p. 2.] C3I was almost uncut in the new DoD budget, remaining at about $19B. One casualty was the Army's All-Source Analysis System, part of the Army Tactical Command and Control System (ATCCS). Its research budget has been cut from $52M to $1M. [Neil Munro, ibid, 4/5, p. 14.]

Anita Jones, CS chair at UVirginia (Charlottesville), has been nominated director of defense research and engineering. [Ibid, p. 8.]

ARPA and the Army will coordinate on developing high-tech surveillance, intelligence, mission-planning, and guidance systems for the Army's $150M/year War Breaker project, aimed at destruction of fast-moving or hidden targets by the year 2000. This is tightly coupled with the Army's near-term Joint Precision Strike effort, under Roger Fischer and the Pentagon's director of defense research and engineering. The Air Force may coordinate on identifying Scud launchers, with the Army knocking them out within 60 seconds. An Army simulation center may soon be built in northern Virginia. [Ibid, 3/29, p. 30.]

Three remotely operated robotic vehicles from Robotic Systems Technology, Inc. (Westminster, MD) have been shipped to the FBI in Waco, TX, to gather intelligence on the Branch Davidians. The company president, Dana Caro, said "We think this is the perfect application for the system." [Ibid, 3/15, p. 22.]

A defense/government-oriented R&D Opportunities Conference (RDOC) will be held 5/19-20 in Washington, DC. Associated with R&D Magazine. $795 industry, $595 govt./university. (310) 534-3922, (310) 534-0743 Fax. [Ibid, p. 19.]