Science & Tech

The Future of the Army: Less Soldiers, More Robots, More 'Lethality'

In the future, an Army brigade might have 3,000 human troops instead of 4,000, but a lot more robots. By Alexis C. Madrigal

Science & Tech

A Look at the U.S. Nuclear Arsenal, From 1945 to Now

Air Force officials say the country's nuclear arsenal is safe despite recent reports of crime and corruption. But what does it actually look like? By Matt Vasilogambros.

Business

NSA Reforms: What Will Change and What Won't

Depending on who you ask, President Obama's changes to the National Security Agency pave the way toward serious reform or are merely attempts at window dressing. By Dustin Volz and Marina Koren

Ideas

Deciphering Obama’s Necessary Message to the Intelligence Community

President Obama’s NSA speech was what the public, and intelligence workers, needed to hear. The president of one intelligence group explains why. By Joseph R. DeTrani

Defense Systems

Orbiting surveillance system protects satellites from space junk

The Air Force’s Boeing Space-Based Space Surveillance satellite detects threats more quickly than ground systems, decreasing risk of damage by two-thirds.

Defense Systems

DOD’s mobility plan a boon for BlackBerry

DISA says the plan, which will begin deployment Jan. 31, will support 80,000 BlackBerrys, about 98 percent of its new network.

Science & Tech

BlackBerrys Will Make Up 98% of Mobile Devices on New DOD System

The system is intended to secure a mix of smartphones will primarily support BlackBerrys when it launches later this month. By Aliya Sternstein

Policy

Gates: I Was More Loyal to Obama Than His Own Staff

The former defense secretary says he got along well with Tom Donilon, President Obama's former National Security Advisor, but questions the loyalty of other White House staffers. By Michael Hirsh

Policy

Obama's NSA Proposals Fall Far Short of Real Change

The White House's tepid plan aims to calm the public, not curtail the government's surveillance programs. By James Oliphant

Business

Obama's Plan to Rein In NSA Phone Sweeps

The president plans to limit the NSA's most controversial program. Will it be enough to calm privacy fears? By Brendan Sasso

Defense Systems

Army strikes deal for inflatable SATCOM antennas

The five-year, $400 million contract gives the Army, Marines and other commands access to the easily deployed devices.

Defense Systems

BAE to lead improvements for DARPA intelligence system

The Insight program will utilize forecasting algorithms and behavioral learning to determine threats.

Policy

Congressional Intel Leaders Want Little Changed Ahead of Obama Speech

House and Senate intelligence committee bosses hope that whatever NSA and other reforms President Obama wants, he can do with executive authority and without legislation. By Stacy Kaper and Michael Catalini

Policy

Sen. Gillibrand Is Still Optimistic on Military Sexual Assault Reform

Sen. Gillibrand is looking longer-term, hoping to build off her first try to gather support for a future attempt to take the chain of command out of military sexual assault cases. By Stacy Kaper

Policy

Democrats Could Wreck Obama's Biggest National Security Success

Derailing Iran negotiations means risking another military conflict in the Middle East. By David Rohde

Threats

The Looming Narco-State in Afghanistan

Afghan farmers are growing more opium today than at any time in recent memory, according to America’s watchdog in the country. By D. B. Grady

Policy

HASC Chairman Rep. Buck McKeon to Retire

The longtime chairman of the House Armed Services Committee will not seek re-election. By Kevin Baron

Defense Systems

Northrop upgrades electronic warfare simulator

The Advanced Pulse Generator can be retrofitted onto any existing CEESIM system.

Defense Systems

Navy lab adapts WW II simulator for high-tech research

NRL refurbishes 1940s training equipment for current radar and communications research opportunities.

Defense Systems

Smaller Army aviation fleet will stress sensors, drones

Budget cuts will force the Army to reduce its aviation fleet while upgrading sensors.