Defense Systems

Army equips first combined Shadow/Apache unit

The move puts control of manned and unmanned operations under one roof as part of the service's restructuring plan.

Defense Systems

Pentagon's near-zero power plan could change the game for wireless sensors

DARPA's N-ZERO program would make devices that lie dormant but aware until triggered by a specified event.

Science & Tech

Pentagon Seeks Sensors That Last for Years

Reducing battery drain by a factor of 1,000 will enable true “persistent surveillance.”

Science & Tech

New Tech Will Allow Navy To Target with Jamming Pods

Faster datalinks will allow the Navy’s EA-18 Growler to pinpoint insurgents with weapons-quality accuracy.

Science & Tech

US Hospitals Could Save Billions If They Took This Lesson from the VA

Most hospitals don’t have good ways of measuring the complex costs associated with an individual patient’s stay in the hospital. The VA is one surprising exception.

Science & Tech

A Global Consensus on Cyber Security Is Gaining Momentum

Here’s what to look for in two meetings that will explore how states with limited capacity can draw upon technologically sophisticated countries.

Policy

Tom Cotton: Obama's Iran Deal May Lead to Nuclear War

The hawkish junior senator discusses the 'moderate' turn in his national security thinking, and why he thinks bombing Iran should be a viable option for the U.S.

Science & Tech

Can Facial Recognition Technology Help US Spies Predict China's Next Island?

The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is using technology akin to facial recognition to track and predict China's strategy for militarizing a region known as Mischief Reef.

Ideas

Beijing May Have Been Spying on India’s Defense Industry for a Decade

Cyber security firm FireEye said the hackers targeted data on military operations in multiple countries China has territorial disputes with in the South China Sea.

Science & Tech

How the NSA Is Using the Cloud To Thwart the Next Snowden

In a post-Snowden world, is it really a good idea to have analysts swimming around in one vast ocean of NSA secrets and data?

Defense Systems

Army outlines plans for the next-generation of virtual training

The tools, designed to address the changing nature of combat, will reside on a global, cloud-based network that will connect solders around the world.

Defense Systems

Army maps out plan for better, smarter ground robots

A new program also wants to establish standard platforms and modular designs to allow for fast development and easy upgrades.

Defense Systems

DOD's acquisition reform effort focuses on cybersecurity

Under Secretary of Defense Frank Kendall says the latest version of Better Buying Power addresses a “pervasive problem.”

Science & Tech

The Army Wants Robot Four-Wheelers and Decepticons

The service is outlining a multi-decade plan for autonomic and robotic systems.

Ideas

Thornberry’s Bill a Good Start on Acquisition Reform

But far more is needed to make the US military 'the world’s fastest incorporator' of new technology.

Ideas

When 'Killer Robots' Declare War

Militaries must ensure that the decision to go to war is made by humans—not autonomous weapons.

Science & Tech

These Human Rights Activists Want To Ban 'Killer Robots'

A new report, released in advance of a major UN meeting next week, implores countries to stop developing deadly autonomous machines before it’s too late.

Policy

Pentagon’s Top Lawyer: Our Current War Law Still Works, But We Need a Better One

In a rare address, Stephen Preston argues that Congress’ sanction of the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan permits today’s air strikes against the Islamic State and more.

Threats

What Arab Countries Think About the Iran Deal

Far from being shocked or appalled by the agreement, Arab countries see an opening to further their interests in the final round of negotiations.