Science & Tech
The Air Force Wants To Make Its Drones Smarter and Deadlier
The Reaper's next chapter includes better sensors, more autonomy, bigger weapons.
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.
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
The Air Force Wants You To Build Their Next Drone Engine
The Pentagon hopes that the next Predator is in someone's garage.
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