Science & Tech

New chip coated with man-made diamonds promises smaller, more powerful radars

Diamonds aren’t just forever. They’re also a great conductor of heat.

  • Patrick Tucker
Defense Systems

Inside the fight over alternative sub fuel

A handful of lawmakers want the Navy to research low-enriched uranium fuel to reduce nuclear weapons proliferation. But funding bans are on the horizon.

  • Lauren C. Williams and Caitlin M. Kenney
Science & Tech

NIST's new quantum switch aims to smooth path toward a functional computer

No one knows just how to build a useful quantum computer, but the agency is working on devices that may help.

  • Alexandra Kelley
Ideas

Chinese Breakthroughs Bring Quantum Tools Closer to Practicality

Still, concerns of a Chinese “quantum supremacy” should be softened by the realities and difficulties of this new space.

  • Thomas Corbett and Peter W. Singer
Science & Tech

Talk More, Urges Pentagon's New Science Strategy

“We are prepared to accept more risk to share more information with allies and partners,” it says.

  • Lauren C. Williams
Ideas

China Gears Up for Cognitive Warfare

Like the U.S. military, the PLA is working on wearable sensors and other ways to hone and maintain troops' fighting spirit.

  • Josh Baughman and Peter W. Singer
Science & Tech

DARPA To Launch High-Speed, No-Runway Aircraft Program

Will it be a helicopter? A seaplane? Or a whole new thing?

  • Patrick Tucker
Ideas

China’s Roadblocks to Becoming A Science Superpower

Historical and structural problems complicate Beijing’s vision of tech leadership.

  • Ma Xiu and Peter W. Singer
Policy

The Pentagon Is Closing in on 'Ethical' AI Implementation

The Defense Department released guidance for using AI responsibly last year.

  • Lauren C. Williams
Policy

White House Sounds Alarm on Threat from Quantum Computers

New directive orders the government to work with industry on security that can stand up to tomorrow’s quantum-powered decryption tools.

  • Patrick Tucker
Science & Tech

DOD Debuts Office to Help It 'Move Faster' on Artificial Intelligence

Two memos clarify the goals of the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office, which was created to coordinate AI efforts across DOD.

  • Brandi Vincent
Threats

The Naval Brief: SecNav nominee; Missile decision woes; Counter-China task force; And more...

  • Caitlin M. Kenney
Science & Tech

DARPA to Hire Biz Execs to Help Its Researchers Take Tech to Market

In a cooperative effort with In-Q-Tel, 150 research teams will get funds to help develop go-to-market strategies.

  • Mila Jasper
Ideas

What Can the Pentagon Realistically Get from Its Advisory Boards?

A former chair says the boards provide a lot, could do better — and help weed out impractical or oversold ideas.

  • Eliahu Niewood
Ideas

Don’t Downgrade Space

Moves and hints portend a worrying shifting of priorities under the Biden administration.

  • Dan Tomanelli
Science & Tech

US Army Creates Quantum Sensor That Detects Entire Radio-Frequency Spectrum

Breakthrough could help the military fight in the electronic spectrum.

  • Patrick Tucker
Science & Tech

The Military Wants To Produce Water From Air. Here’s the Science Behind It

The key is the right combination of elements in porous crystal structures, and the AI-powered search is on.

  • Patrick Tucker
Ideas

A Sharper Approach to China’s Military-Civil Fusion Strategy Begins by Dispelling Myths

MCF isn't new. It's not all-encompassing. It's not even uniquely Chinese.

  • Elsa B. Kania and Lorand Laskai
Ideas

The Next Steps For the Pentagon's AI Hub

Six ways the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center can accelerate the military’s use of AI.

  • Chris Bassler and Bryan Durkee
Ideas

New Biden Directive Shields Federal Scientists From Political Interference

President also calls on agencies to overhaul their vehicle fleet.

  • Eric Katz
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