Defense Systems

'Fix it forward'

3-D printers have been a game changer for deployed Marine Expeditionary Units, which often need a replacement part quickly to keep a mission moving.

Defense Systems

Hacking the challenge of tech talent scarcity

The Army Cyber Command’s direct commissioning program plucks technical experts from the commercial sector.

Policy

The US Military Held an American as an Enemy Combatant for Over a Year. Here’s What That Means.

The case could have upended the entire war on ISIS. Instead, it’s changing how we treat some detainees.

Defense Systems

Contract for Cyber Command Unified Platform moves forward

The Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman a $54.6 million contract for Unified Platform, which will facilitate offensive and defensive cyber operations.

Ideas

CyberCom Is Targeting Russia’s Election Meddlers — and Changing How Governments Use Cyber

Although anonymity is generally prized for successful cyber operations, it might not be ideal in all cases, especially if the United States wants to deter an Russia spreading disinformation.

Science & Tech

Pentagon Doesn’t Want Real Artificial Intelligence In War, Former Official Says

No one at the Defense Department wants weapons that make their own decisions, said former Deputy Secretary Bob Work.

Ideas

Here’s the Real Value in the U.S.-South Korean Alliance

As the U.S.-ROK Security Consultative Meeting convenes for a 50th time, it's worth reviewing the annual meeting's record of accomplishment.

Threats

Mattis Sets 30-Day Deadline for Yemen Ceasefire

“We’ve admired this problem for long enough down there,” the defense secretary said.

Policy

Military Intelligence Spending Just Posted Biggest Spike in a Decade

With an 18 percent increase this year, the Pentagon’s $22 billion intelligence tab is rising faster than civilian spy agencies.

Science & Tech

US Military’s Self-Flying Helicopter Program Passes Critical Test

Unmanned Black Hawks are coming. The goal is a major flight demonstration next year.

Defense Systems

Air Force space security contract comes with a bit of mystery

ManTech International discloses a $158 million Air Force Space Command contract that is light on details, but continues to reveal how contractors are playing in the military space market.

Science & Tech

Social-Media Companies Are Scanning for Potential Terrorists — Islamic Ones, Anyway

Big platforms like Facebook others have come a long way in detecting and preventing the spread of Islamic extremist content and tracking potential Muslim terrorists. Why aren’t they doing more about other kinds?

Defense Systems

ODNI: clearance backlog will continue to shrink

A senior intelligence official said the current backlog of about 600,000 security clearance investigations could be cut in half in spring of 2019.

Ideas

Trump Needs Help Picking Between His Contradictory Foreign-Policy Desires

Unfortunately, not even a 21st-century version of Eisenhower’s Solarium planning exercise is likely to help.

Ideas

Secretary Mattis, Defend This or Resign

If Defense Secretary Mattis believes the migrant caravan is not a threat requiring 5,000 active troops deploying to the border, he should say so and quit.

Threats

'Extraordinarily Important': Top US General Defends Saudi Relationship, Yemen War

‘I think it is better if we are engaged,” CENTCOM commander Gen. Joseph Votel says in an interview.

Threats

After Laser Attacks, Pentagon Spending $200M to Protect Pilots’ Eyeballs

The contracts came just months after the U.S. accused China of trying to blind military pilots in Africa and the Pacific.