https://crsreports.congress.gov
Updated November 10, 2022
Defense Primer: RDT&E
Advanced technology plays a critical role in ensuring U.S.
national security. To maintain technological superiority on
the battlefield, the Department of Defense (DOD) relies on
scientific and technical knowledge developed in large
measure through research, development, test, and
evaluation (RDT&E) funded by the department and
performed by industry, universities, federal laboratories,
and others. DOD also relies increasingly on technology
developed by the private sector for commercial markets.
This In Focus describes DOD’s RDT&E appropriations
structure and funding levels.
DOD appropriations are provided annually through the
defense appropriations act, one of the 12 regular
appropriations acts. DOD RDT&E funding is generally
provided in three of this act’s titles (see box). Congress also
sometimes provides DOD RDT&E funding through
supplemental appropriations acts. DOD reports FY2022
total obligational authority (enacted) of $122.9 billion.
RDT&E by Organization
RDT&E Appropriations Under Title IV
Approximately 97% of DOD’s RDT&E funding is
appropriated in Title IV (Research, Development, Test, and
Evaluation), which includes appropriations for the Army,
Navy, Air Force, Space Force (under the Air Force
account), a Defense-wide RDT&E account, and the
Director of Operational Test and Evaluation. Space Force is
a new account included in the FY2021 request. The
Defense-wide account includes the Missile Defense Agency
(MDA), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
(DARPA), Office of the Secretary of Defense, and 17 other
DOD organizations. Within these accounts are program
elements (PEs) that provide funding for particular activities.
RDT&E Under Other Titles
RDT&E funds are also appropriated for programs in other
titles of the defense appropriations act. For example,
RDT&E funds are also appropriated in Title VI as part of
the Chemical Agents and Munitions Destruction Program,
the Defense Health Program, and the Inspector General. In
some years, RDT&E funds have been provided in Title V
as part of the National Defense Sealift Fund.
In recent years, RDT&E funds have also been appropriated
in Title IX as part of DOD’s funding for Overseas
Contingency Operations (OCO). Typically, the RDT&E
funds appropriated for OCO activities support specified PEs
in Title IV, though they are requested and accounted for
separately. Alternatively, they may be provided to a transfer
fund. Congress establishes transfer funds for a particular
purpose, and may authorize DOD to transfer a portion of
these funds to other accounts, such as RDT&E, to help
achieve that purpose. President Biden’s budget request does
not include OCO funding for FY2022.
Source: Department of Defense, Financial Management Regulation
(DoD 7000.14-R), Volume 2B, November 2017.
Funding in codes 6.1 to 6.3 is referred to by DOD as the
science and technology (S&T) budget. This portion of DOD
RDT&E is often singled out for attention by analysts, as it
is seen as the pool of knowledge necessary for the
development of future military systems. In contrast, 6.4,
6.5, and 6.7 funds are focused on the application of existing
scientific and technical knowledge to meet current or near-
term operational needs. The funds in 6.6 are for RDT&E
management and support work in any of the other RDT&E
budget accounts. DOD added budget activity 6.8 in its
FY2021 budget request to support software and digital
technology pilot programs.
Within the S&T program, basic research (6.1) receives
special attention, particularly by the nation’s universities.
