Author Archive
Sam Skove
Staff Writer
Sam Skove is a staff reporter at Defense One, where he writes about the Army and Marine Corps. He previously worked in Ukraine covering the Russia-Ukraine war for The Daily Beast, Radio Liberty, and The New Republic, among other publications. He holds a bachelor's degree from Oberlin College and a master's degree from Georgetown's Security Studies Program.
Science & Tech
Drones could guide every bit of an Army division’s firepower, 101st CO says
From mortars to missiles, the airborne unit is rethinking the use of uncrewed systems in the kill chain.
- Sam Skove
Science & Tech
Defense now outweighs offense, thanks to new tech: Army Futures Command
The realization may have wide-reaching implications for how the Army trains and equips its forces.
- Sam Skove
Science & Tech
Marine logistics battalions to get resupply drones by 2028
Each unit will receive three to six small cargo drones, part of the Corps' effort to become lighter and more agile.
- Sam Skove
Science & Tech
New details give Replicator a distinct Ukrainian flavor
First purchases announced in Pentagon's plan to acquire thousands of drones.
- Bradley Peniston and Sam Skove
Threats
The Marines want to ‘litter the battlefield’ with anti-drone sensors
Some units will get portable devices within a year, officials said.
- Sam Skove
Science & Tech
UK eyes Chinese drone parts for Ukraine
Like Kyiv itself, London may prioritize price over sourcing concerns.
- Sam Skove
Threats
How US special operators are training Ukrainians—and what they’re learning in return
The Ukrainian troops bring battlefield experience that is helping to reshape the U.S. Army’s own special operations.
- Sam Skove
Threats
Another US precision-guided weapon falls prey to Russian electronic warfare, US says
A U.S. defense official would not provide specifics, but is likely referring to Boeing’s Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb.
- Sam Skove
Policy
At Army’s special-ops school, the biggest changes in a generation
Ukraine, robotics, and more are driving a six-year plan to improve training in irregular warfare, technology, and psyops.
- Sam Skove
Business
The goal of 100K artillery shells per month is back in sight, Army says
The new supplemental renews the push to boost production sixfold since Russia’s Ukraine invasion.
- Sam Skove
Policy
How will Ukraine spend its new US aid?
It’s a fraught question amid Russian gains, uncertain long-term U.S. support, and Kyiv’s eventual need to end the war.
- Sam Skove
Science & Tech
Army SOF's new drone course teaches gamer and maker skills
By graduation, the students will know how to build their own drones and teach foreign partners on tactics.
- Sam Skove
Science & Tech
How Army special operators use deepfakes and drones to train for information warfare
One soldier helped create a voice-cloning program using off-the-shelf AI.
- Sam Skove
Policy
Army recruiting on pace to hit goal—and break a years-long streak
Service secretary says new initiatives have put the 55,000-recruit goal within reach.
- Sam Skove
Science & Tech
To adapt command posts to modern war, Army wants more commercial tech
Plans include more commercial satellite tech, plus more options to hide within commercial communications traffic.
- Sam Skove
Threats
The State of the Army 2024
The cancellation of a scout helicopter might signal a new era of agility.
- Sam Skove
Threats
The State of the Marine Corps 2024
The Corps' race to become a lighter service might move faster if its budget weren’t flat.
- Sam Skove
Threats
How two brigades are leading the Army’s charge toward cutting-edge tech
From Hawaii to Europe, Army units are running drone racing competitions and experimenting with predictive software for the battlefield.
- Sam Skove
Threats
The future is ‘not bright’ for towed artillery, Army general says
Light infantry units also need more indirect fire systems, Gen. Rainey said.
- Sam Skove
Threats
Army announces plan to help spread commercial drones across infantry units
Army also hopes ordering more Coyote drone interceptors will eventually drive down cost.
- Sam Skove