Pentagon proposes boost in high-tech spending

The official in charge of the Pentagon's finances on Monday said that a proposal to increase high-tech spending in the next defense budget is the first step in a plan to incorporate more technology into the military.

The San Jose Mercury News reported Monday that Dov Zakheim, undersecretary of Defense and chief financial officer, said the military's long-term goal is to increase science and technology spending from 2.5 percent to 3 percent of a defense budget that may grow next year to more than $375 billion.

The tech focus is part of the "Transforming the Military" effort to overhaul the way the Pentagon operates.

Zakheim said the war in Afghanistan has driven home the need for a new approach to fighting battles that may find the military turning more and more to Silicon Valley for ideas and products.