D gains from the public sector as well.
D spending tends to be curtailed in companies that have undergone a leveraged buyout.
The report's authors, who represent some of the Nation's foremost scientists and engineers, observe that policy debates too narrowly focused on raising absolute amounts can be counterproductive, and that more attention should be given to choosing which science activities are supported with public funds. To a large extent, the decline appears to reflect reduced support from the Air Force and Navy to industry performers. D project funding, not a permanent cutback due to defense downsizing.