Science & Tech

Hyten: US Must Broaden Its Strategic Deterrence Concept — and Keep Its ICBMs

The Joint Chiefs vice chair said a “new strategic defense review” should take account of communications and sensors.

Ideas

ISIS and Al-Qaeda’s Sub-Saharan Affiliates Are Poised for Growth in 2021

A rundown on jihadi groups’ expansion in the Sahel and Nigeria, the Horn of Africa, and the continent’s southeastern Swahili coast.

Business

F-35 Still the ‘Cornerstone’ Fighter, Top Air Force General Says 

After calling for a new fighter, Gen. Brown clarified the F-35 is alive and well while a new study reevaluates fighters and drones for 2036.

Ideas

Four Ways US Naval Forces Should Be More Assertive

Non-aggressive assertiveness can achieve long-term advantages and have strategic effects.

Business

Space Firms Put Aside Rivalries to Share Threat Data

A new clearinghouse has begun gathering and distributing information about threats to space networks, products, and services.

Business

Troubled KC-46 Tankers Cleared for Limited Ops, Air Force Says

The decision will free up older aerial refuelers needed overseas. But the KC-46 still can gas up only some warplanes and needs more testing and new technology.

Science & Tech

Island-Hopping F-35s Test Pacific Air Forces’ Agility Concept

A pair of jets flew two missions from different airfields on the same day in a bid to complicate Chinese targeting.

Exclusive Policy

Coalition Plans To Expand Giant ISIS Prison In Syria

The UK-funded effort signals no answer in sight to the thousands of foreign and Syrian detainees.

Defense Systems

White House plans executive action in response to massive breach

In the wake of a wide-ranging hack involving SolarWinds IT management software and other commercial products, the White House is planning executive action to address cybersecurity gaps.

Defense Systems

Tech exec to Congress: Supply chain hack took 1,000 engineers

The scope and scale of the attack as described by Microsoft President Brad Smith is in keeping with the attribution being made by public sector and private sector officials that the hack was perpetrated by Russian-sponsored actors.

Defense Systems

Microsoft calls for acquisition reform amid JEDI battles

Defense industry experts call on lawmakers to push for procurement protest reforms to enhance national security.

Defense Systems

DOD’s 5G-powered smart warehouse network kicks off

A private 5G wireless network is being installed as part of a multi-year initiative to create a smart warehouse reference design.

Defense Systems

Pentagon plans for spectrum policy changes, IT modernization

DOD Deputy CIO Frederick Moorefield says "static" policy remains spectrum's "biggest hurdle" -- something he hopes to change in 2021.

Policy

CIA Nominee Vows To Probe Mysterious Microwave Attacks

Longtime diplomat Bill Burns sailed through his confirmation hearing on Wednesday.

Defense Systems

GAO: DOD has to get a handle on future services spending

As the Defense Department looks to buy more services, it's going to need to come up with action plans to better account for spending in future years, according to a recent Government Accountability Office report.

Defense Systems

CISA looks inward to stop future supply chain attacks

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is exploring ways to better monitor internal systems’ communications for suspicious signals.

Defense Systems

Biden pledges international cooperation on cyber in speech

Biden addressed the global security forum for the first time as president last week when he called for the United States to cooperate with European allies on establishing cyberspace norms.

Policy

Should the Pentagon Reform Its Bid-Protest Rules?

Microsoft's president told senators yes, but bid protests hit a 10-year low last year.