Threats
How Many US Troops in Afghanistan? Pentagon Changes How It Counts Them
A new accounting method ups the official total in Afghanistan from 8,400 to “approximately” 11,000.
Science & Tech
The Army’s Space Force Has Doubled in Six Years, and Demand Is Still Going Up
As the service hastens to mint new orbital operators, its leaders are watching the debate over a separate Air Force space corps — and just maybe a new service branch.
Ideas
Rename US Army Bases for Heroes, not Confederates
Our soldiers should walk through gates that honor those who fought for the United States, not against it.
Science & Tech
The US Army Just Ordered Soldiers to Stop Using Drones from China’s DJI
An Aug. 2 memo cites 'increased awareness of cyber vulnerabilities' with drones from China’s market-leading DJI.
Science & Tech
US Army Boosts Spending on Genetically Engineered Spider Silk for Body Armor, Underwear
What’s almost as tough as Kevlar, as flexible as silk, has the DNA of a spider but comes from a worm? Something the Army is looking to buy for as much as $1 million.
Ideas
The US Army’s Next Big 5 Must Be Capabilities, Not New Platforms
The service’s weapons are increasingly unsuited for tomorrow’s battlefields, but there’s too little time and money to start from scratch.
Ideas
The US Army Urgently Needs a Modern Air-Defense Control System
It’s got one under development, dubbed IBCS. It’s delayed, over budget — and vital to American security.
Science & Tech
It’s Getting Harder to Draw Lessons from Today’s Wars
The researchers compiling the U.S. Army’s accounts of Iraq and Afghanistan have an overwhelming yet spotty volume of material to work through.
Science & Tech
Stinger Missiles Can Now Shoot Down Small Drones
A missile that gained notoriety in the 1980s has been updated for today’s battlefield.
Ideas
The Army Wants to Let Troops off the ‘Digital Leash.’ That’s Easier Said Than Done.
Gen. Mark Milley’s injunction against IT-enabled micromanagement will require leaders at all levels to re-think what it means to be part of the profession of arms.
Science & Tech
US Army Exploring 'Devastating' New Weapon for Use In War with Russia
The Kinetic Energy Projectile would be a tungsten warhead that moves at three times the speed of sound, destroying anything in its path.
Science & Tech
US Army to Test Powerful New Truck-Mounted Laser ‘Within Months’
New solid-state lasers plus ever-more-powerful mobile generators brings directed energy weapons a big step closer to reality.
Ideas
A US-Based Army Can’t Get to the Fight Fast Enough
We need to rebuild our forward-based troop strength, get serious about strategic lift, and more.
Policy
How McMaster Could Change the Way the US Goes to War
How did Trump’s new National Security Advisor win over the President — and what changes might he make in his new role?
Science & Tech
US Army Looking to 3D-Print Minidrones in 24 Hours
Future soldiers will make their own eyes-in-the-sky on the go.
Defense Systems
Army’s Rapid Capabilities Office speeds through startup phase
The Army’s new Rapid Capabilities Office fast-tracks its own startup as it seeks to close technological gaps on the modern battlefield.
Science & Tech
The US Army’s Next Drone May Fit in a Soldier’s Pocket
The service could start buying palm-sized UAVs to complement its Pumas and Ravens as soon as 2018, according to one official.
Threats
Army Warns that Future War with Russia or China Would Be ‘Extremely Lethal and Fast’
Leaders say warfare in the coming decades will be fundamentally different from the past 25 years.
Science & Tech