I actually think this research is OK. I know, its sounds stupid, but what if... They should get the measuring device fixed and do a final run, if that shows nothing, then the project should be terminated.
When there is any posibility it will work, they have to try it. The Russians caim to have gotten some results. It would be easy to write the whole thing off as nonsense, but on the one in a million chance that it will work they have to try.
No burocrat will take the risk that some whacko living in the Mojave Desert might build himself a working flying suacer while they are playing with big rockets. Very bad for the career.