Exclusive
Business
CIA’s In-Q-Tel Among Backers of German Satellite-Thruster Startup
Morpheus Space’s small and simple electric thrusters could upend the satellite industry.
Ideas
A Great Change is Coming
Software, AI, autonomy — these are the ultimate weapons. The Pentagon must get serious about integrating AI into everything it has for 'hyperwar.'
Ideas
Nine Reasons Congress Should Nix the Air Force’s F-15EX Purchase
None of the service's proffered explanations stands up to analysis.
Science & Tech
The U-2's Latest Feat: Passing Data from F-35s to Army Missiles
A recent demonstration used the old spy plane as an airborne comms relay between fighters and ground-based weaponry.
Business
Boeing’s Coronavirus Losses Now Bleeding Into Its Defense Accounts
More layoffs, production slowdowns and factory closures are being considered, executives said.
Ideas
Three Urgent Questions for the Air Force’s New Chief of Staff
The service has too long delayed the hard choices that would prepare it to deter China.
Science & Tech
The Pentagon's Platform One Offers an Ambitious Model for the Future of Software
In an interview, the Air Force’s chief software officer described the potential for a profound transformation for cybersecurity.
Ideas
US Air Force, Space Force: Here Is Your New Arctic Strategy
America’s most active services in the region have a four-part plan to support the National Defense Strategy.
Business
US May Need to Nationalize Military Aircraft Industry, USAF Says
That’s unless the Air Force can find a way to keep both competition and the few remaining U.S. plane-makers alive, the service’s acquisition chief said.
Policy
We Don’t Have Enough Cash to Build New Nuclear Weapons, Says Air Force Chief
Nukes or conventional weapons, “the current budget does not allow you to do both,” says Gen. Dave Goldfein, suggesting Congress create a separate account.
Ideas
Airpower Gets a Big Boost in the Senate’s Authorization Bill
Air Force leaders won’t be entirely happy with it, but the country should be.
Defense Systems
Essye Miller: The exit interview
Essye Miller, DOD's outgoing principal deputy CIO, talks about COVID, the state of the tech workforce and the hard conversations DOD has to have to prepare personnel for the future.
Defense Systems
Air Force acquisition chief wants to reshape defense industry
Will Roper, the Air Force's acquisition chief, said the goal is to pivot away from the defense prime model and create a new industrial base that more easily allows tech companies to work with DOD and the commercial sector.
Defense Systems
Meet BESPIN, the Air Force startup driving the switch to mobile
COVID-19 and telework exposed the Air Force's lack of mobile capabilities. BESPIN is trying to change that, that one app at a time.
Science & Tech
How COVID-19 Kicked a USAF Software Team Into High Gear
The programming group that makes tools for the Air Force's developers is now posting about 10 upgrades per day.
Defense Systems
Army eyes Kessel Run model to boost software capabilities
The Army's chief technology officer, William Robinson, said the service is planning to emulate the Air Force's model to improve computing at the edge.
Defense Systems
Air Force aims to make secure mobile identity management the norm
Jason Howe, the Air Force's chief technology officer and chief cloud architect for manpower, personnel, and services, said the pandemic has exposed DOD's need for better mobile security.
Science & Tech
Air Force Leaders Fret As Another Satellite Maker Declares Bankruptcy
Service leaders are asking for Congressional help in shoring up the defense industrial base.
Ideas