Threats

Trump’s Special Ops Pick Says Terror Drones Might Soon Reach the US from Africa. How Worried Should We Be?

Technological advancement could produce ocean-spanning consumer UAVs. But extremists won’t necessarily bother with them.

Science & Tech

US Army Seeks Internet-of-Battlefield-Things, Distributed Bot Swarms

After nearly two decades of war against technologically unsophisticated foes, the Army Research Lab is reorienting to counter China and Russia.

Science & Tech

The Israeli Military is Buying Copter Drones With Machine Guns

A breakthrough in drone design gives a glimpse into the future of urban warfare.

Science & Tech

Time for the Pentagon to Overhaul Drone Management, New Report Says

As the Pentagon writes a long-term drone plan, the former head of Air Force intelligence has some suggestions.

Ideas

I Could Kill You with a Consumer Drone

As a former intelligence soldier who now sells drones for a living, I can tell you that this problem is bigger than almost anyone realizes.

Ideas

Don’t Loosen the Rules on Civilian Casualties During Drone Strikes

The Trump team may eliminate the “near certainty” clause, which would do far more damage to US counterterrorism than retaining it.

Business

Boeing, Shipbuilder Team Up to Build Giant Underwater Drones

The aerospace firm is bringing Huntington Ingalls on to help with its 50-ton Echo Voyager — and that’s just for starters.

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.

Science & Tech

In Urgent Request, US Special Ops Adds 350 Kamikaze Drones to Fight ISIS

And that's not all. The command is also opening a drone-hacker lab to help keep up with ISIS weaponeers.

Science & Tech

The Military is Using Human Brain Waves to Teach Robots How to Shoot

Without even realizing it, soldiers could soon be training robot sharpshooters to take their jobs.

Science & Tech

Marines: 'The First One Through the Door Should Be a Lethal Robot'

The future of amphibious warfare looks like a constellation of bots large and small. The main challenge now is getting them to talk to each other.

Science & Tech

The Five Coolest Drones from America's Biggest Naval Arms Show

New drones above and beneath the waves will change the way navies sail and fight in contested waters.

Science & Tech

Connecticut Police May Soon Hunt Perps with Lethal Drones

A new bill under consideration forbids civilians from outfitting drones with weapons but includes a crucial exemption for police.

Science & Tech

Why You Can’t Shoot Terrorists With Lasers, Yet

Military leaders are eager to have the precision of a directed-energy weapon — yet plenty of legal and practical obstacles remain.

Science & Tech

Russia Joins US in Race to Field Gun-Launched Swarmbots

A pair of Russian programs hastens the day that drone swarms may meet each other over the battlefield.

Science & Tech

Counter-Terror Chief: Expect Terrorist Drone Swarms 'Soon'

An upcoming competition will spotlight systems for downing enemy UAVs attacking solo or in groups.

Business

Air Force Buys Mysterious Israeli Weapon to Kill ISIS Drones

What is this secret weapon? Pentagon officials aren’t saying, but here are some clues.

Science & Tech

The Drones of ISIS

Islamic State fighters are launching an ever-wider assortment of deadly drones, even as their UAV factories come under heavy attack.

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.

Science & Tech

Wanted by the Military: An Ender’s Game Controller for Urban Robot Swarms

The Pentagon is looking for a single controller to enable dismounted ground troops to steer "hundreds" of drones for urban warfare.