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.

Business

Former Marine General Will Run US Navy’s UAV Efforts

The new deputy assistant secretary will work closely with the new rapid development, prototyping and demonstration directorate.

Ideas

How Drones Make War Too Easy

A report from the Council on Foreign Relations explores "several reasons why armed drones are unique in their ability to destabilize relations and intensify conflict."

Threats

Did NATO Forces Just Down a Russian Drone Over Turkey?

As the Internet examines pictures of an alleged Russian surveillance drone shot down by Turkish jets, Russia says, ‘What drone?’

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.

Threats

Fly Your Drone Near an Airport, and the FAA May Hijack It

New technology from CACI can wrest control of civilian UAVs, lawmaker says.

Science & Tech

Drones Armed With High-Energy Lasers May Arrive In 2017

Predator maker looks beyond Hellfire missiles to the weapons of the future.

Ideas

What Drone-Strike Data from Yemen and Pakistan Says about the ISIS Fight

Washington's drone program has cost a great deal of blood and money with little to show for it. Absent a political strategy, the effort in Syria will likely fare no better.

Science & Tech

Will Subdrones Cause World War III?

Smart, well-armed and built to operate on their own, underwater drones are becoming a dangerous wildcard.

Business

Should One US Service Rule the Military’s Drones?

Ten years ago, the Air Force lost its bid to control the Pentagon’s nascent UAV fleets. Some say it should try again.

Science & Tech

Chuck Schumer’s No-Fly-Zone Rule for Drones Won’t Work

U.S. lawmakers and the military worry about small consumer drones running afoul of planes and emergency crews. But there may be no simple fix.

Science & Tech

Predator Drone Maker General Atomics Flying Spy Missions For the Pentagon

The US military has hired General Atomics to fly some missions — just ISR so far, but what about the future?

Science & Tech

US Drone Pilots Are As Skeptical of Autonomy As Are Stephen Hawking and Elon Musk

There are many reasons to be cautious about greater autonomy in weapons like drones, according to the men and women at the joystick.

Science & Tech

In The War of 2050, The Robots Call The Shots

An Army-sponsored workshop on the future of war produces a mashed-up vision of swarmbots, cyborgs, and technology run wild.

Science & Tech

Robots Won't Be Taking These Military Jobs Anytime Soon

A chief Air Force scientist says that there’s no way to automate drone-based intelligence collection without a major technological breakthrough.

Business

America’s Drone Pilot Shrink Says They Need a Vacation From War

The men and women fighting America’s drone war can’t go home, no matter where they are.