Science & Tech

The Turf War Launched by America's First Drone Strike Is Still Raging

The CIA’s then-secret weapon missed the Taliban's leader, starting a 14-years-and-counting fight over who controls the U.S. drone program.

Science & Tech

US Special Forces Are Experimenting With Bug Drones

As intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance needs grow, devices are shrinking.

Business

Air Force Trims Drone Ops to Get Workforce ‘Healthy’

The service is dropping five of its 65 combat air patrols so its overtaxed pilots and intelligence operators can catch their breath.

Ideas

Ask Your 2016 Candidate These Questions on Drone Warfare

Our country needs to know where its next commander-in-chief stands.

Science & Tech

China May Be Selling Armed Drones to Jordan

Will the Wing Loong UAV soon be flying over Amman? Not if one congressman, and his largest campaign donor, have anything to do with it.

Science & Tech

The 9 Strangest Flying Robots from the World’s Biggest Drone Show

At a drone conference in Atlanta, everyone was looking for the next big thing in UAV design. Here’s a look at some of the most interesting, innovative and outlandish drones Defense One came across.

Science & Tech

Is the Poor Man’s Predator the Future of Armed Drones?

If the U.S. loosens its rules on the export of armed drones, the biggest names won’t necessarily be the biggest winners.

Science & Tech

How To Hack a Military Drone

Recent published research has given hackers a manual for breaking into unmanned systems, according to an Israeli defense company.

Threats

Warren Weinstein's Death Should Help End US 'Signature' Drone Strikes

The civilian casualties from this botched operation lay bare the immense cost of failure.

Threats

Obama's Drone Reforms Don't Apply to 46 Percent of Strikes

Despite a 2013 pledge to fix the targeted killing program, the Obama administration ignores its own directives for nearly half of all strikes.

Policy

Rand Paul’s Drone Reversal

The Kentucky senator defends the White House drone policy he once lambasted in a 13-hour filibuster, dulling any edge he may have had on a GOP pack running on the same national security platform.

Policy

Congress: Drone Strikes Are Here to Stay

Despite unintentionally killing three Americans, Republicans and Democrats maintain the U.S. drone program has been a valuable tool in the war against terror.

Threats

Here's Why Loretta Lynch's Confirmation Is Important for National Security

The Justice Department's primary national security jobs were awaiting confirmation - even as 3 Americans were killed in a drone strike.

Threats

White House: Three Americans Killed in Counterterrorism Operations

Administration officials said Thursday that one American hostage and two American al-Qaida operatives were killed during U.S. military operations.

Science & Tech

Marines Testing Piggyback Hunter Drones

A marriage of one unmanned rover and one flying drone is the “next level” in battlefield autonomy.

Ideas

Keeping Killer Robots on a Tight Leash

As militaries contemplate autonomous weapons technology, they must anticipate and plan for its consequences.

Science & Tech

The Navy is Preparing To Launch Swarm Bots Out of Cannons

The military’s swarm robots move from sea to air with a new program to shoot drones.

Science & Tech

These Human Rights Activists Want To Ban 'Killer Robots'

A new report, released in advance of a major UN meeting next week, implores countries to stop developing deadly autonomous machines before it’s too late.

Business

The US Navy Doesn't Need an Expensive Aircraft Carrier Drone

UCLASS advocates say the plane has to be both survivable and armed to the teeth, but the Navy could use a simpler model.