Defense Systems
Top 20 defense contractors, 2014
Defense companies dominate Washington Technology’s Top 100 list of federal contractors.
Defense Systems
Air Force mulls secretive sensor research center
The SIRCUS program would investigate how to measure sensor exploitation performance and sensor development, and require up to Secret-level clearances for contractors.
Business
The Air Force Is Offering Separation Incentives to Thousands of Civilians
But the reductions will still only save the Air Force a small fraction of the $50 billion required by the 2011 Budget Control Act. By Eric Katz
Policy
What Would Reagan Do In Iraq?
Rand Paul and Rick Perry each claim to be the Gipper’s heir in the Middle East. Who's right? By Peter Beinart
Science & Tech
Simulating War Might Be the Best Way To Prevent One
Virtual reality training is about to get a lot better and more competitive. But is it falling out of favor? By Patrick Tucker
Business
The VA Paid More Than $40 Million in Improper Claims Last Year
For 2 months in 2013, the Veterans Benefits Administration hurried to eliminate its disability claim backlog. That rush resulted in many costly mistakes. By Bob Brewin
Threats
Why Hamas Chooses Rockets Over Nation Building
With the prospects for a two-state solution looking hopelessly dim, what does Hamas stand to gain by firing rockets at the civilians of its militarily powerful neighbor? By Jeffery Goldberg
Ideas
The One Thing the U.S. Can't Train the Iraqi Army To Do
The U.S. has trained the Iraqi military for years. But there’s one thing you can’t teach an army to do. By Lt. Gen. Robert Gard
Policy
Rand Paul vs. Rick Perry: The GOP’s Battle for the Future of National Security
The bluster between Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Sen. Rand Paul is just smoke for the fire that is the GOP’s identity crisis. By Molly O’Toole
Ideas
What Stands in the Way of the Pentagon Keeping Its Best and Brightest?
The Defense Department's impending force drawdown could accelerate the departure of some of its best personnel. Here are a few ideas on how to keep that from happening. By Amy Schafer
Defense Systems
US arrests Chinese aerospace exec in hacking conspiracy
Su Bin, owner of Chinese aviation company Lode-Tech, collaborated with hackers to steal information about military aircraft, the Justice Department says.
Defense Systems
ARL, TARDEC work to defeat laser threats that could blind soldiers
Wavelength-diverse lasers, which are difficult to filter out, could be used to blind tank gunners and attack soldiers’ eyesight.
Defense Systems
Army moving enterprise apps to core data centers
The migration also involves removing unused and redundant applications.
Policy
Lawmakers Want Answers on the Effects of Iraq and Afghanistan's Burn Pits
Some veterans feel the health impacts of Iraq and Afghanistan burn pit exposure demand more study. Some lawmakers aren't giving up on the issue either. By Jordain Carney
Business
Is the U.S. Ready to Patrol the Arctic?
A sobering look at America's ice-cutter fleet as it prepares to chair the 8-nation Arctic Council next year. By Marina Koren
Ideas
Why the Next 'Great War' Won't Happen on China's Doorstep
Today’s rising China is nothing like the threat that rising Germany posed to Europe in 1914. Here's why. By Michael Hunzeker and Mark Christopher
Science & Tech
How the CIA Partnered With Amazon and Changed Intelligence
Amazon is building a cloud for the intelligence community that could bridge the sort of gaps that preceded the 9/11 attacks. By Frank Konkel
Ideas
A Chance to Drive a Wedge Between Jihadists and Sunnis
ISIL’s overreach into Iraq is Washington’s opportunity to shift Sunni allegiances for good. By Dave Miller
Threats
Despite Pentagon Concerns, Obama Requests No New Military for Border Threat
White House agrees the root causes of the border crisis threaten national security, but says the mission is not the military’s. By Molly O’Toole
Defense Systems