Science & Tech

You May Have to Wait 2 Years to Get That Security Clearance

The metrics fail to capture the real-world impact of the backlog, which includes careers put on hold and the loss of top talent, says Raytheon\'s Jane Chappell.

Defense Systems

Air Force awards $51M cyber support contract to ICF

The firm will carry out cyberspace support services for the Air Force’s Air Combat Command.

Business

L3 Shops for a Shipyard — and a Place in the Defense Industry’s Top Tier

Its bullish new CEO wants America’s sixth-largest defense firm viewed in the same group as the Big 5.

Science & Tech

The US Military Wants Giant Transformer Robot Subs

The future of countermine operations could look like a big bug that can swim for hundreds of kilometers.

Ideas

The Dead Metaphors of National Security

To grapple with today’s complex security environment, we must first think about it realistically. Our terminology — not our technology — is key.

Defense Systems

Futures Command, coming this summer, needs a leader and a base

Army Secretary Mark Esper said the new Futures Command will help change the service's acquisition culture.

Defense Systems

DOD wants drones to deliver blood on the battlefield

A recent solicitation from DIUx points to a plan to advance front-line medical care for combat troops.

Threats

Why Cities Are So Bad at Cybersecurity

Government systems are under near-constant attack from hackers, surveys show, but officials don’t know who’s attacking them or how to respond.

Defense Systems

DOD to discuss $8.2B cloud services initiative May 16

Amid speculation and controversy surrounding its massive “JEDI” effort, the Defense Department schedules an event to discuss its second large cloud initiative for email and calendar services.

Ideas

Netanyahu and Iran's Atomic Archive: What's New and What's Not

Among the new bits: Tehran's nuclear planners envisioned an arsenal so small as to make Kim Jong Un giggle.

Threats

Pentagon’s Focus on Sexual Assault Has Spurred Reporting, But Also Created ‘Training Fatigue’

Prevention-and-reporting leaders want the U.S. military to be a “bit more strategic” in how it talks to troops about sexual assault.

Business

Did Your Company Make that Warplane? Don’t Count on the Upgrade Work Anymore

The new Air Force acquisition chief wants to open more sustainment contracts to competition.

Ideas

The Pentagon Is Losing the Innovation Battle. Here's How to Turn It Around

Four steps that will help better harness American innovation.

Science & Tech

What Happens When Your Bomb-Defusing Robot Becomes a Weapon

Treating a technology as a “platform” has consequences.

Science & Tech

How a Pentagon Contract Sparked a Cloud War

Amazon and Google are taking on defense contractors in a heated battle for billions in government contracts.

Defense Systems

In cyber defense, sometimes communication is overrated

The less time cybersecurity team members spend time talking about a responding to an attack, the better the outcome is likely to be, Army researchers found.

Ideas

Trump’s New Arms-Sales Policy Is Good but Sounds Awful

We must reintegrate arms exports into the U.S. foreign-policy process — and do a far better job of explaining why than the Trump administration has managed so far.