Science & Tech
DARPA Thinks AI Could Help Troops Telepathically Control Machines
The Pentagon is looking to build artificial intelligence into neural interfaces to let humans control machines with their thoughts.
Policy
The US Air Force Has Won Control of the Space Force
Six months ago, service leaders said they were being cut out of the planning process. Now they’re being put in charge of it.
Science & Tech
DARPA Is Trying Bioelectric Implants to Help Heal Wounds
One of the Pentagon’s new research programs could see biosensors, actuators and even artificial intelligence implanted in soldiers to speed up the body’s healing processes.
Science & Tech
Pentagon Pushes for Speed in Cloud Strategy
The Defense Department expects multiple providers to support the different kinds of clouds of its missions.
Threats
Lawmakers Tell Pentagon: Revise and Resubmit Your Climate-Change Report
The most recent one didn’t even meet the legal requirements contained in the 2018 defense authorization act.
Policy
Top General in Middle East Says He Wasn’t Consulted on Syria Withdrawal
U.S. Central Command commander Gen. Joseph Votel provided the first public confirmation that the Pentagon was caught by surprise by Trump’s December tweet.
Science & Tech
The Teams Who Test US Cyber Defenses Aren’t Being Tough Enough: Pentagon Report
Overworked trainers and penetration testers can’t properly simulate the worst real-world threats, leaving operators “overconfident.”
Ideas
The Jury Is Still Out on the Pentagon’s Audit
The real failure will happen if lawmakers and defense officials don’t implement its lessons.
Policy
Recruiting, Faster Tech Acquisition Are Vital to Maritime Superiority: CNO
Delays in getting new technology to the fleet is the U.S. Navy’s Achilles heel, says its top officer.
Policy
Acting SecDef: I Haven’t Told the Pentagon to Prep for Afghanistan Withdrawal
In his first remarks to media as defense chief, Pat Shanahan says U.S. leaders are keeping their eyes on peace talks.
Ideas
What to Ask Defense Leaders About the Border Deployment
On Tuesday, a Trump administration official will make his first appearance before a House Armed Services Committee led by Democrats.
Ideas
An Admiral Slammed the Shutdown. Can He Do That?
The Coast Guard commandant's viral video reminds us that senior military officers can speak out, carefully — and probably should do so more often.
Ideas
Don’t Play Mob Ball: What Acquisition Pros Can Learn from Kids Soccer
PEOs tend to grab onto a hot new contract approach like elementary schoolers chasing a ball.
Threats
Missile Defense Review Calls for Protecting US From Cruise Missiles
The long-awaited report calls for technology development, but stops short of calling for the deployment of hypersonic interceptors and space-based lasers.
Ideas
Trump Tried Partisan Applause Lines Inside the Pentagon. Nobody Applauded.
The president uses a missile-defense policy rollout to bash Democrats before the military’s senior leaders.
Science & Tech
Pentagon to Study Putting Anti-Missile Laser Weapons in Space
The long-anticipated missile defense review shies away from a full-scale push — which critics say underlines the idea’s folly.
Science & Tech
The Pentagon Has More than 250 Cyber Gaps in Its Networks, Watchdog Says
The Defense Department has a lot of work to do to remedy some years-old cyber issues.
Science & Tech
DARPA Thinks Insect Brains Might Hold the Secret to Next-Gen AI
They’re small, efficient and capable of basic reasoning, and researchers want artificial intelligence tools to do the same.
Business
Pentagon Owns Fewer Buildings Than Previously Thought: Audit
The Navy was counting buildings that were demolished and the Army was counting uninhabitable facilities on the books.
Policy