Science & Tech

Wanted by the Military: An Ender’s Game Controller for Urban Robot Swarms

The Pentagon is looking for a single controller to enable dismounted ground troops to steer "hundreds" of drones for urban warfare.

Science & Tech

Nanotech Breakthrough Could Revolutionize Night Vision

Researchers build “teeny, tiny structures” that can change infrared to visible light.

Science & Tech

The Flaw in Tech Giants’ Plan to Fight Extremist Content

Everyone gets to use different definitions of dangerous imagery, says the inventor of the software they’ll use.

Science & Tech

Cutting NASA Earth Observations Would Be a Costly Mistake

NASA’s Earth observation satellites provide constant real-time data on space, the atmosphere and the oceans—information critical to U.S. Navy and Department of Defense operations worldwide.

Science & Tech

The Pentagon Wants Eye-Reading Software, X-Ray Tools, and A Virtual Facebook to Fight Terrorism

Here’s a list of gear the Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office is seeking to give U.S. counterterror operators.

Defense

A Glimpse At How the F-35 Will Help the Marines Storm the Beach

In a California demonstration, the short-takeoff fighters escorted troop-carrying V-22s into simulated hostile territory.

Science & Tech

Don’t Put the Pentagon in Charge of Private Industry’s Cybersecurity

There are few ways that the military could intervene effectively without doing more harm than good.

Science & Tech

A Glimpse At How the F-35 Will Help the Marines Storm the Beach

In a California demonstration, the short-takeoff fighters escorted troop-carrying V-22s into simulated hostile territory.

Ideas

The US Military Has a Pretty Good Plan to Keep Its Advantage. Trump Shouldn’t Mess With It

The Third Offset needs help, not replacement, to secure the long-term competitive advantage of the U.S. armed forces.

Science & Tech

Under Trump, Tech Companies Brace for Fight Over Encryption

Supporters of strong encryption are watching closely to see if Trump will force tech firms to cooperate with law enforcement, or if his campaign rhetoric will soften once he’s in the White House.

Science & Tech

The F-35B Just Got A Lot Deadlier

In a proof-of-concept experiment, data passed instantly from a Marine Corps fighter allowed a shipboard Aegis system to shoot down a drone.

Policy

The Other Michael Flynn

Donald Trump’s national security advisor sounded very different when he was running counterinsurgency campaigns in Kabul.

Science & Tech

Decision Time: Half of US F-15s Need Overhauls — Or Retirement

In a backseat ride over New Hampshire, the Eagle shows why it’s still lethal, yet increasingly expensive.

Science & Tech

A Team of Drones Pulls Off a (Staged) Search-and-Rescue Mission

Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky merger leads to unique demonstration involving drones large and small.

Science & Tech

How Special Operators Trained for Psychological Warfare Before the Mosul Fight

At a two-day exercise in April, U.S. troops practiced waging warfare on an invisible yet vital battlefield.

Science & Tech

Under New Cyber Plan, UK Will Seek Its Own Offensive Weapons and Crypto Schemes

A new strategy document spells out an assertive posture by a UK government that’s wary of some shared intelligence capabilities between allies.

Science & Tech

The Pentagon’s New Background Check System Won’t Be Ready for Nearly Two More Years

Though it could be completed as early as 18 months, the director of the new agency that manages the clearance process said Thursday.

Science & Tech

Unmanned Hueys Are Coming

Remote-controlled helicopters for resupply enter new phase of development.

Science & Tech

Yes, Big Data Did Triumph on Election Day

One computer forecasting system predicted Trump’s victory — the one with the least human input.