Science & Tech

The Ukrainian Blackout and the Future of War

The world’s first cyber-caused electricity blackout shook security experts around the globe. Here’s what it means for keeping the lights on.

Ideas

Do ‘Guardian Forces’ Belong in the Military?

More and more national security workers in and out of uniform never get close to combat. It's time to rethink their place in the system.

Policy

If Trump Wins, Expect Thousands of Defense Jobs to Move to Europe

The GOP frontrunner's anti-Muslim comments could prompt U.S. allies to shop elsewhere for arms.

Ideas

The US Government Is Secretly Huddling With Tech Firms to Fight Extremism

A coalition of civil rights groups wants to be included in the closed-door meetings to keep the feds in check.

Business

The Pentagon's New Grading System for Civilians May Take Even Longer to Get Started

Six years after Congress mandated it, the U.S. military says it's ready to test a new way to assess its civilian workers. But a federal union claims the test-run will be deeply flawed.

Defense Systems

Military mulls letting robots take the point

The Army’s chief roboticist wants robots to take the front lines to serve as “bullet catchers” to protect soldiers. But should they also fire back?

Defense Systems

Despite hitches, DISA continues JIE rollout

A key assessment has been delayed until the end of the year, as the agency measures JRSS's ability to counter threat vectors.

Defense Systems

Army wants to give soldiers their own micro-drones

The service is asking industry for information on developing UAS weighing 150 grams for ISR in the field.

Science & Tech

So That Thumbprint Thing on Your Phone Is Useless Now

Researchers found a cheap, easy way to copy your fingerprints a few months after millions of Americans had theirs stolen by hackers.

Ideas

What It Would Take to Build Trump's Border Wall with Mexico

The presidential candidate is pledging the largest infrastructure project since the U.S. highway system. And it makes no sense at all.

Defense Systems

SmartCAR makes soldiers wise to chem-bio threats

The handheld device tests for pathogens on the spot and communicates results up the chain of command via Nett Warrior smartphones.

Defense Systems

The 4 prongs of DOD's cybersecurity discipline plan

The Pentagon's implementation plan looks to enforce better cyber hygiene throughout the department.

Science & Tech

Thanks, America! How China's Newest Software Could Predict, Track, and Crush Dissent

Armed with data from spying on its citizens, Beijing could turn 'predictive policing’ into an AI tool of repression.

Ideas

Let Russia's Planes Keep Flying Over US, Just Like Ike Wanted

The Pentagon dithered while Moscow upgraded. It’s time to catch up — not scrap the Open Skies Treaty.

Ideas

What the 2016 Presidential Candidates Get Wrong About the Future of War

They fail, they lack, they misunderstand, they pander, they don’t get, and they just don’t know national security – not according to our Future of War roster of experts.

Defense Systems

Strategies for delivering on the promise of JIE

DOD can control access while limiting the attack surface of a joint network, SolarWinds' Joel Dolisy writes.

Defense Systems

DARPA's high-speed vertical-lift plane goes to Phase 2

Aurora Flight Sciences' design for the VTOL X-Plane project aims to improve hovering efficiency while also increasing airspeed.