Defense Systems
DISA awards $450M deal for top-secret communications system upkeep
Harris Corp. will provide management and maintenance support for the presidential Crisis Management System for up to 10 years.
Science & Tech
The Secret History of the Atom Bomb Is Now Available in Full Online
Arranged in 36 volumes, the final portions of the history of the Manhattan Project's development were posted only recently. By Bob Brewin
Threats
Airstrikes Not Enough to Defeat ISIL, Hagel Says
Defense Secretary Hagel said the U.S. would continue to attack the Islamic State and keep all options open, but the Pentagon is looking for greater regional support and nonmilitary means. By Kevin Baron
Policy
GOP Hawks Come Out in Force Against Obama's 'Limited' Iraq Airstrikes
Senator John McCain and Texas governor Rick Perry are among the Republicans saying Obama is simply too soft on the Islamic State. By Russell Berman
Science & Tech
Amazon Expands Its Cloud Services to the U.S. Military
The Defense Department's unclassified data will now be stored in an Amazon-built cloud, marking a big step forward eliminating old, redundant systems. By Frank Konkel
Policy
Why No Democrat Wants to Run Against Hillary
Given the Clintons' reputation for retaliating for betrayals, this Democratic front-runner looks poised to remain unchallenged all the way to 2016. By Peter Beinart
Science & Tech
Navy Ships Will Get $2.5 Billion in Cyber and Intelligence Upgrades
Five companies just won mutli-year contracts to consolidate ship-based networks for future missions. By Bob Brewin
Defense Systems
Space Command wants better, cheaper (non-Russian) launch engines
The Air Force is considering commercial partnerships to develop a domestically produced booster propulsion system.
Defense Systems
Air Force enlists 3D printing for rocket engines
Aerojet Rocketdyne, which also has worked with NASA, will demonstrate large-scale 3-D printing techniques that could be used to manufacturing engine components.
Defense Systems
DISA approves AWS GovCloud for higher security levels
The company’s cloud service has achieved provisional authorization to operate at levels 3 and 5 of the DOD Cloud Security Model, AWS said.
Defense Systems
Navy awards $2.5B in contracts for CANES
The next-generation shipboard system will replace five networks, boosting interoperability and streamlining upgrades.
Ideas
John Allen: Destroy the Islamic State Now
What we’re facing in northern Iraq is only partly a crisis about Iraq. It is about the region and potentially the world as we know it.
Policy
How the U.S. and Europe Failed James Foley
The different U.S. and European approaches to abductions reflect a particularly grim fact confronting American citizens abroad. By David Rohde
Business
Here's How the Pentagon's Bean Counters Are Managing on a Tight Budget
The Pentagon's budget managers are increasingly turning to data analytics as they scramble to retain experts in an era of sequesters and furloughs. By Clarles S. Clark
Threats
Why America Should Declare War on the Islamic State
Obama's response to the terrorists of the Islamic State has been reactive and piecemeal so far. That must change. By James Kitfield
Threats
Top Six Strategic Threats to Worry About in Today's Global Headlines
Forget the Cold War, in the new era of strategic deterrence how do you solve a problem like non-state extremists, nuclear neophytes and attacks in space? By Elaine M. Grossman
Science & Tech
Nailing Down the Real Danger of 'Killer Robots'
If calling autonomous systems by a more lethal name kickstarts a discussion about their future use, experts are okay with that. By Rose Eveleth
Ideas
Yet Again, CIA is Concealing Information Americans Should See
Only President Obama can break the stalemate between CIA and the Senate over declassifying the 9/11 torture report. By J. William Leonard
Threats
U.S. Military Tried to Rescue Foley; Obama Defies Threats With New Iraq Airstrikes
Obama defies the Islamic State's threats to kill more journalists as U.S. hit Iraq with more airstrikes and possibly 300 more troops. By Ben Watson
Defense Systems