Defense Systems
Combat Shield teams prepare aircraft for electronic warfare threats
The Air Force is testing radars and other systems to be sure they're ready for contested environments.
Defense Systems
Army awards $662M deal for new recon aircraft
Leidos will outfit the Airborne Reconnaissance Low-Enhanced (ARL-E) systems with new sensors to help commanders keep tabs on their operational environments.
Science & Tech
How The Russian Crash Investigation Could Alter the War On Encryption
If intercepted communications prove an ISIS bomb caused the crash in Egypt, it could be just the boost surveillance state advocates need.
Policy
George H.W. Bush Settles Old Scores With Cheney and Rumsfeld
The 41st president’s comments criticizing two of his son’s closest advisers on the Iraq war are rooted in tensions dating back to the Ford administration.
Ideas
Syrian Peace Prospects Now Hinge on Long-Time Foes Saudi Arabia and Iran
Fighting in Syria cannot be resolved without some kind of accommodation between Riyadh and Tehran—both of whom have used proxies to prolong the war.
Science & Tech
The Secret Pentagon Push for Lethal Cyber Weapons
With nearly $500 million allotted, military contractors are competing for funds to develop the next big thing: computer code capable of killing.
Defense Systems
Does a centralized approach help or hurt DOD cybersecurity?
Panelists at the 2015 Open Architecture Summit described the current problems with the standards, policies and strategies handed down from on high.
Defense Systems
U.S. approves Italy's request to weaponize Reapers
The State Department will let the NATO member outfit its MQ-9 drones with Hellfire missiles.
Defense Systems
Pair of mesh reflectors boost Navy’s satcom network
The reflectors on satellites in the MUOS constellation help increase communications capacity 16-fold.
Policy
White House Won’t Rule Out Vetoing Defense Authorization Bill (Again) Over Guantanamo
New NDAA, same old showdown over Guantanamo.
Threats
China Is Among the World Leaders in 'Secret' Military Spending, Report Says
And 'additional, off-the-books spending' could be as high as 50% of China’s official defense expenditure.
Threats
How Al-Shabab Could Get Their Hands on a Nuclear Core
Kenya is facing a terrible dilemma: Run out of energy for its citizens, or risk terrorists seizing a nuclear power plant.
Business
Obama Should Have Given Weapons to Ukraine, Says Former Pentagon Russia Official
Evelyn Farkas, who stepped down last week as the Pentagon’s top policy official for Russia and Ukraine, says the U.S. should open a military base in Eastern Europe to send a message to Vladimir Putin.
Threats
US, UK Officials Suggest Bomb Exploded Russian Airliner, But Urge Caution
Likely, possibly, maybe—but British and U.S. officials stop short of confirming a bomb, or ISIS, brought down a Russian airliner over the Sinai.
Policy
Jeb Bush’s ‘Serious’ Foreign Policy Is Not Serious
The Bush campaign offered what it said were well-thought-out, serious foreign-policy views on Monday. And they were insane.
Policy
President Obama’s Last, Best Chance to Close Guantanamo
Obama needs to stick to his veto guns, hurry up and offer his plan to close Guantanamo.
Defense Systems
The future of ISR is unmanned, whether commanders like it or not
Air Force officials see the U-2 and Global Hawk as complementary, but they’ll soon have to do without one of them.
Defense Systems