Ideas

Maintaining the Edge in the Age of Everything

Ash Carter's message to the Defense One Summit: a new commitment to military, academic, business and scientific partnerships.

Science & Tech

Black Hawk Empty: Unmanned Helicopter Passes Key Test

The Army’s signature rotorcraft, equipped with new hardware and software, shows off a new self-piloting capability and robotic teaming.

Science & Tech

Now We Have a (Tiny) Tractor Beam

Today, it moves little specks of plastic, but someday the sky may be the limit.

Science & Tech

US Military Blimp Down Over Pennsylvania

The Army lost control of its 3.5-ton multi-billion-dollar air-defense JLENS for four hours on Wednesday.

Science & Tech

Senate Passes Cyber Bill, Ducking Privacy Fears for Now

After months of negotiation, a cybersecurity bill to bolster defenses after a series of high-profile hacks moves closer to the president’s desk.

Science & Tech

Northrop Grumman to Build Air Force Bomber — But Don’t Expect to See It Soon

After years of internal Pentagon fighting to keep the project alive, the air service reveals a builder, but little else.

Science & Tech

Navy Plans To Deploy A Submarine Drone Squadron By 2020

The highly autonomous underwater vehicles could be sent to scout ahead of attack submarines, or to guard valuable undersea targets.

Science & Tech

A New Material Promises NSA-Proof Wallpaper

A Utah company has a new nickel-carbon material that could help the Pentagon fight off some of its most haunting threats.

Science & Tech

Pentagon: State Doesn’t Have Enough People Tweeting At ISIS

In the war of online influence, the U.S. is gaining ground but is still hopelessly outmanned.

Science & Tech

African States Hop on the Network Surveillance Bandwagon

Governments in Sudan, Nigeria, South Africa and Ethiopia are the latest to deploy sophisticated network eavesdropping tools against their citizens.

Science & Tech

Making the Case for Cyber Defense Spending in Local Government

IT leaders in one Arizona county are working to demonstrate the ROI on cybersecurity investments.

Science & Tech

US Navy Revives Ancient Navigation as Cyber Threats Grow

Satellites and GPS are vulnerable to cyber attack. The tools of yesteryear are not.

Science & Tech

The 5 Coolest Robots at the Biggest US Land Warfare Show

Autonomous systems for land, sea, and sky prowled the floor at this week’s AUSA conference in Washington.

Science & Tech

In a Groundbreaking Deal, Ukraine May Buy US Armor for Its Humvees

Kiev is negotiating the purchase of an upgrade kit for its dozens of Humvees, which would be its first major purchase from a U.S. defense company.

Science & Tech

The Army’s Drone Wishlist Includes Jamming Gear and More Weapons

Electronic warfare is among several new missions under consideration for UAVs.

Science & Tech

With Russia in Mind, BAE Revives Light Tank from the ’90s

U.S. military brass say Russia is the top threat, so companies are pitching arms for a new European battlefield…even if there is no money to buy them.

Science & Tech

Laser Trucks Are On Their Way

As onboard power capabilities for small trucks continue to improve, defense manufacturers are looking for fancier features. Lasers anyone?

Threats

Turkish President Issues Media Blackout After Bombings

Following a deadly attack at a peace rally, social media users also reported signs that their access was also being throttled.

Science & Tech

The Military Is Creating Vampire Drones That Die in the Sun

Like meeting the one true death, the Pentagon wants a drone that dissolves by morning light—or in 4 hours, whichever comes first.

Science & Tech

When Military Robots Can Predict Your Next Move

New research may enable robotic armed guards — or just help self-driving cars get through a four-way stop.