Science & Tech

The US Military Will ‘Be Left Behind’ If It Doesn’t Embrace Open-Source Software, Report Says

Amid a rising China and Russia, the Pentagon’s slow pace on the software front could cost it tactically for years to come.

Science & Tech

DOD Science Board Recommends “Immediate Action” to Counter Enemy AI

Pentagon scientists worry that the U.S. could be on the losing side of a AI arms race.

Science & Tech

At Least One State Rejects Feds' Offer to Help Cybersecure Voting Machines

Some security experts say it wouldn't even take Russian government-backed hackers to manipulate actual votes in some of America's antiquated tallying systems.

Science & Tech

Boeing Wants to Patent a Fire-Fighting Howitzer Round

Suppressent-filled shell would help firefighters gun down wildfires.

Science & Tech

US Gets Serious about Portable Nuke-Detector Prototypes

Homeland Security spends $20M to develop devices to find bombs being transported in ships, on metro systems, or in public places.

Science & Tech

Two Iraqi Guys Built an Armed Robot to Fight ISIS

The Baghdad Post says the machine-gun-wielding unmanned ground vehicle will be used in the effort to retake Mosul.

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China’s New Satellite Puts Quantum Encryption Into Orbit

It’s designed to literally teleport information nearly 750 miles.

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There’s a Big Loophole in the Pentagon’s Guide to Eavesdropping

The new rules reflect a shift in intel-gathering from phone-tapping to capturing conversations on the internet.

Science & Tech

The Military Is Genetically Modifying Bacteria to Make Even Tinier Computers

The biosynthetic microbe could wire future nanoelectronics after Navy-funded researchers supercharged its conductivity.

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Twitter Suspends Another 235,000 Accounts Promoting Terrorism

ISIS is losing territory online, too, as Twitter joins social media companies accelerating efforts to purge extremist speech from their sites.

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Naval Aviators Describe How the F-35's Brains Will Change Air Warfare

They gave the F-35 rave reviews during a show-and-tell at sea, but questions remain about its troubled software.

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Russian-Linked Group Leaks US Lawmakers’ Phone Numbers, Emails

Late Friday, an online figure linked to Russian intelligence groups released the personal information of several lawmakers, part of an established pattern.

Science & Tech

The Pentagon Needs You To Help Them Take Down Small Drones

As tiny drones proliferate and make their way onto the battlefield, the Pentagon calls for solutions.

Science & Tech

The $47 Billion U.S. Emergency Response Network That’s Already Obsolete

FirstNet was envisioned as a way for police and firefighters to communicate with one another in the wake of 9/11. But four years later, it’s still not up and running.

Science & Tech

Cargo Shorts at the Pentagon: Inside DoD's Digital Service Team

Matt Cutts, a Google employee on temporary leave, says his job is less about AI and more about getting "basic, fundamental things" to work right now.

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Artificial Intelligence Just Changed the Future of Information Security

At DARPA’s Cyber Grand Challenge, bots showed off their ability to help a world wallowing in vulnerable code.

Science & Tech

If There’s Malware In Your Toaster, the US Military Wants to Find It

The idea is to protect household appliances connected to the internet by remotely monitoring subtle changes in thermal signals transmitted under normal conditions.

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F-35 is ‘Ready For War;’ Now the Air Force Wants More, and Faster

Buying more JSFs would lower the per-plane price tag and allow the service to retire older jets sooner.

Science & Tech

Maybe the Secret Service Should Start Protecting Candidates’ Email As Well

Some private cyber investigators say it’s time the agency expand its reach beyond mere physical security.

Science & Tech

Russia Wanted to be Caught, Says Company Waging War on the DNC Hackers

Pointing a finger at Russia is easy. Punishing them is hard. That’s why they hacked the DNC, according to the company that first named one of the key suspects.