Policy

US Space Command Wants Red Phones With China, Russia

Global norms and mil-to-mil hotlines are urgently needed as the prospects for war in space rise.

Ideas

Defense One Radio, Ep. 123: The Discord leaks and what might lie ahead for Ukraine

Defense One’s Patrick Tucker and Sam Skove help explain where Russia's Ukraine invasion stands today, and what might unfold over the coming weeks and months.

Business

The Pentagon Is Increasingly Relying on Billionaires’ Rockets. And It’s OK with That.

Space Force leaders say carefully written contracts can prevent things like SpaceX’s about-face on Ukrainian satcomms.

Threats

Pentagon UFO Chief: ‘No Credible Evidence’ of Aliens, Yet

Sean Kirkpatrick, who heads the Defense Department’s All-Domain Anomaly Office, briefed the Senate Wednesday.

Ideas

Space Symposium Conference Wire 3: Threat Warnings

Day 3 of the conference brought warnings about China and Russia—and of a "subtle complacency" at home.

Defense Systems

The Air Force’s Electronic-Warfare Wing Is 400 People Short

That’s okay for now, its commander says, but his service may need to change how it trains and manages EW officers.

Policy

Let Me Start Weapons R&D Faster, Air Force Secretary Asks Congress

Frank Kendall wants freedom from rules that require lawmakers’ approval to get anti-China weapons off the ground.

Policy

Tighten Access to Classified Info, Air Force Secretary Says

As the Pentagon responds to a classified document leak, officials should focus on enforcing “need to know,” according to Frank Kendall.

Exclusive Science & Tech

CENTCOM Hires AI Guru from Google

Andrew Moore, former director of Google Cloud AI, heads to CENTCOM to bring new approaches to data and innovation.

Science & Tech

Why the Pentagon’s Response to the Discord Leaks Won’t Fix the Problem

The Defense Department keeps too many secrets, uses old approaches to secret storage, and does not apply data-driven strategies to classification.

Policy

Navy Shipbuilding Plan Draws Lawmakers’ Ire Anew

Like last year’s, the new long-range plan offers a three-option menu and fewer amphibs than Congress mandates.

Threats

Allies Want Space Defenses Too, US Official Says

As friendly countries buy and develop their own satellites, they’re increasingly worried about protecting them, an Air Force leader said.

Defense Systems

Could ‘Zero Trust’ Prevent Intelligence Leaks?

Army tech leaders say implementing the security guidelines would help keep secrets—and keep track of who knows them.