The US military spent $18.6 billion on its unclassified and classified intelligence activities in Fiscal 2013, announced the Defense Department on Thursday. Congress originally appropriated $19.2 billion for these activities, known collectively as the Military Intelligence Program, but that amount shrank to $18.6 billion after the budget sequester took effect in March, according to the Oct. 31 release. Releasing this topline figure does not jeopardize any classified intelligence activities, states the release. However, DOD said it would not release any additional MIP budget figures or program details since they remain classified for national security reasons. The Pentagon has also requested $18.6 billion to fund its intelligence activities in Fiscal 2014. In Fiscal 2012, DOD spent $21.5 billion on the MIP.
Members of the House Armed Services Committee say the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile program has been set back three months due to the ongoing government shutdown. The comment is noteworthy because the JATM's status has been kept tightly under wraps.
