Ideas
To Deter China, Relearn The Lost Art of Dissuasion
Threats of denial or punishment will not deter a peer adversary fighting at home.
Threats
Federal Contractors Must Show Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination by Dec. 8
Companies doing business with the federal government must name a person to coordinate implementation and compliance with the vaccine mandate for covered employees.
Policy
US Navy’s Latest Plan for Its Future May Not Come Until 2023, Says Top Admiral
It’s the fourth attempt in four years to define the future of the Navy.
Ideas
Users Can’t Be Afterthoughts in the Pentagon’s AI Efforts
The troops, commanders, and civilians who will use artificial-intelligence tools have vital roles to play in creating, training, and improving them.
Defense Systems
Open to innovation: Why modular open systems are key to the future of DOD
An affordable and adaptable system with a scalable architecture allows for incremental system upgrades, minimizes obsolescence and speeds up development cycles.
Business
Just Half of Workers at Two Critical Shipyards Are Vaccinated
The sobering numbers offer a snapshot of defense contractors’ struggle to get workers vaccinated.
Threats
Vulnerabilities May Slow Air Force’s Adoption of Artificial Intelligence
More data on the battlefield means a wider attack surface, something the Defense Department has yet to prepare for, experts say.
Ideas
Are Directed-Energy Weapons Behind the Havana Syndrome?
As an aerospace engineer and former Vice Chair of the U.S. Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, I can attest to the effectiveness of such weapons.
Ideas
AFA Conference Wire: Keeping AI Safe From Bad Data
News and notes from the 2021 Air Force Association's Air, Space & Cyber conference.
Defense Systems
White House pushes back on efforts to restore program cuts in NDAA
The Biden administration appears determined to stick to plans to retire legacy platforms and systems.
Defense Systems
Telework is the new normal for Air Force Materiel Command
Air Force Materiel Command is preparing to have half of its headquarters personnel working remotely at least some of the time, Commander Gen. Arnold Bunch said.
Defense Systems
Air Force secretary mulls space acquisitions nominees
Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said candidate interviews are underway for the space acquisition system secretary position and he expects to make a recommendation to the defense secretary and White House soon.
Defense Systems
Zero trust, EMS top Air Force cyber priorities
Lt. Gen. Timothy Haugh, the commander of the 16th Air Force, said implementing zero trust principles was "foundational" to improve data use and mitigate vulnerabilities from the defense industry supply chain.
Defense Systems
Tracking physical responses, target accuracy to enhance combat marksmanship
The Office of Naval Research is testing whether technology can help it spot dips in warfighters’ performance or lethality.
Ideas
Biden Just Gave France Something More Valuable than a Submarine Contract
The White House endorsement of European defense apart from NATO is worth more than a $66 billion deal with Australia.
Science & Tech