Air Force Science and Technology for the 21st Century Act

Summary: Establishes within the Air Force a Science and Technology Policy Council to perform advisory and oversight responsibilities with respect to Air Force policy and budget relating to its science and technology program.
Authorizes the Secretary to appoint an Air Force Scientific Advisory Board to consult with and advise the Chief of Staff and the Director.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Air Force Science and Technology for 
the 21st Century Act''.

SEC. 2. OFFICE OF AIR FORCE RESEARCH.

    (a) In General.--(1) Chapter 803 of title 10, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following new sections:
``Sec. 8023. Office of Air Force Research
    ``(a)(1) There is in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force 
an Office of Air Force Research, at the head of which is a Director of 
Air Force Research.
    ``(2) Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the 
Secretary of the Air Force, the Director of Air Force Research serves 
as--
            ``(A) the principal advisor to the Secretary of the Air 
        Force on all research matters;
            ``(B) the principal advisor to the Chief of Staff of the 
        Air Force on all research matters; and
            ``(C) the principal Air Force representative on research 
        matters to other Government, academic, scientific, and 
        corporate agencies.
    ``(3) Unless appointed to higher grade under another provision of 
law, an officer, while serving as Director of Air Force Research, has 
the grade of major general.
    ``(b)(1) There is a Deputy Director of Air Force Research, who 
shall be an employee in the Senior Executive Service and shall be 
located at and assigned to a major laboratory or field installation.
    ``(2) Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the 
Director of Air Force Research, the Deputy Director of Air Force 
Research is--
            ``(A) responsible for the execution of the Air Force 
        Research Laboratory technical program; and
            ``(B) responsible for operational aspects of the Air Force 
        Research Laboratory.
    ``(c) The Office of Air Force Research shall perform such duties as 
the Secretary of the Air Force prescribes relating to--
            ``(1) the encouragement, promotion, planning, initiation, 
        and coordination of Air Force research;
            ``(2) the conduct of Air Force research in augmentation of 
        and in conjunction with the research and development conducted 
        by the bureaus and other agencies and offices of the Department 
        of the Air Force; and
            ``(3) the supervision, administration, and control of 
        activities within or for the Department relating to patents, 
        inventions, trademarks, copyrights, and royalty payments, and 
        matters connected therewith.
    ``(d) Subject to the authority, direction, and control of the 
Secretary of the Air Force, the Director of Air Force Research shall 
ensure that the management and conduct of the science and technology 
programs of the Air Force are carried out in a manner that will foster 
the transition of science and technology to higher levels of research, 
development, test, and evaluation.
    ``(e) Sufficient information relative to estimates of 
appropriations for research by the several bureaus and offices shall be 
furnished to the Office of Air Force Research to assist it in 
coordinating Air Force research and carrying out its other duties.
    ``(f) The Office of Air Force Research shall perform its duties 
under the authority of the Secretary, and its orders are considered as 
coming from the Secretary.
``Sec. 8024. Air Force Science and Technology Policy Council
    ``(a) There is in the Department of the Air Force a Science and 
Technology Policy Council consisting of--
            ``(1) the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force, as 
        chairman, with the power of decision;
            ``(2) the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force with 
        responsibilities for acquisition;
            ``(3) the Director of Air Force Research;
            ``(4) the commander of the Air Force Materiel Command; and
            ``(5) The Deputy Chief of Staff of the Air Force with 
        responsibilities for installations.
    ``(b) The responsibilities of the Council include the following:
            ``(1) To advise the Secretary of the Air Force and the 
        Chief of Staff of the Air Force on matters of broad policy and 
        budget relating to the Air Force science and technology 
        program.
            ``(2) To identify, set priorities among, and endorse future 
        Air Force technological capabilities.
            ``(3) To oversee and review major science and technology 
        programs as they relate to meeting capabilities identified 
        pursuant to paragraph (2).
            ``(4) To determine the appropriate balance between programs 
        for the purpose of meeting requirements and programs for the 
        purpose of pursuing long-term technologies.
            ``(5) To identify, set priorities among, and endorse 
        planning and budgeting for the transition of science and 
        technology to higher levels of research, development, test, and 
        evaluation.
    ``(c) Subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Air Force, 
the Council shall appoint, from among personnel of the Department of 
the Air Force, a staff to assist the Council in carrying out its 
responsibilities.
``Sec. 8025. Air Force Scientific Advisory Board
    ``(a) The Secretary of the Air Force may appoint an Air Force 
Scientific Advisory Board consisting of not more than 15 civilians 
preeminent in the fields of science, research, and development work. 
Each member serves for such term as the Secretary specifies.
    ``(b) The Board shall meet at such times as the Secretary specifies 
to consult with and advise the Chief of Staff of the Air Force and the 
Director of Air Force Research.
    ``(c) No law imposing restrictions, requirements, or penalties in 
relation to the employment of persons, the performance of services, or 
the payment or receipt of compensation in connection with any claim, 
proceeding, or matter involving the United States applies to members of 
the Board solely by reason of their membership on the Board.''.
    (2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is 
amended by adding at the end the following new items:

``8023. Office of Air Force Research.
``8024. Air Force Science and Technology Policy Council.
``8025. Air Force Scientific Advisory Board.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 8014(b) of title 10, United 
States Code, is amended--
            (1) by redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph (7); and
            (2) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following new 
        paragraph:
            ``(6) The Director of Air Force Research.''.