Kendall: ‘Disproportionate’ Cuts Planned to Modernization, R&D

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon expects to make “disproportionate” cuts to modernization and research and development funding in its fiscal 2017 budget request, while personnel and readiness remain stable, according to the department’s top acquisition official — cuts which may well include a slowdown in F-35 production.

Those decisions could slow down the much ballyhooed “Third Offset” strategy, identified by Defense Secretary Ash Carter as key to maintaining America’s military technological dominance.

Speaking Wednesday, Frank Kendall, undersecretary for acquisition, technology and logistics, said “what you’ll see in ’17 is disproportionate hits to modernization, R&D and procurement.”

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