Threats

To solve national security problems, the US may have to rethink higher education

Advanced STEM degrees take too much time and cost too much, said the former science and tech head at Homeland Security.

Science & Tech

Only 3D printing can get the Navy’s submarine plan back on track, admiral says

U.S. cannot build and support the subs it needs “without going to additive manufacturing.”

Science & Tech

Microchip breakthrough may reshape the future of AI

IBM’s new NorthPole may enable smarter, more efficient, network-independent devices that may even help the U.S. win the microchip war against China.

Science & Tech

Predictive policing software terrible at predicting crimes

A software company sold a New Jersey police department an algorithm that was right less than 1% of the time.

Science & Tech

Navy’s 2-year-old robot task force eyes more AI

A 4th Fleet version of TF59 is in the works, and its lessons are headed to the Pacific as well.

Defense Systems

How the Pentagon’s big tech bets could suffer from a continuing resolution

Anything that needs new money to start or scale could see delays—including the Air Force’s quest to develop robot wingmen.

Defense Systems

Connect everything? Leaders need to get specific first

Hazy visions of data flowing seamlessly around the battlefield won’t get the job done, says the Air Force general for C2 systems.

Science & Tech

New board will help Navy ‘absorb’ new tech into real-world ops

Science and Technology Board will examine “issues posed by the development of generative artificial intelligence”—like ChatGPT—as well as a range of other technologies.

Science & Tech

Air Force eyes supply missions for its first electric air taxi

Joby Aviation delivered its battery-powered vertical takeoff and landing aircraft to Edwards AFB in California.

Science & Tech

Boeing is using Fortnite’s game engine to upgrade B-52s

Will this “hyper-realistic” modeling tool help get the program a Victory Royale?

Defense Systems

One way the Air Force is filling electronic-warfare gaps: hiring interns

The 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing is working with universities to recruit young talent for now—and maybe later.

Science & Tech

B-21 starts engine tests as bomber preps for first flight

Software is ready to go, program officials say, engendering some 'smack talk' with hardware teams.

Science & Tech

US must harness generative AI in competition against China, think tank warns

The Pentagon recently launched a task force to explore how to incorporate generative AI, but a new report notes it could be useful across a wide range of government activities.

Business

Military hopes commercial airlines adopt new hybrid plane design

The head of U.S. Transportation Command says blended wing body designs could provide more efficient, especially if they can fly from existing airports.

Business

Army wants lighter Abrams tank with new tech for future wars

The service will abandon one modernization effort in favor of a more sophisticated upgrade.

Science & Tech

The Pentagon’s innovation arm has a new chief and a new strategy

‘DIU 3.0,’ now under SecDef review, aims to embed teams in the combatant commands.

Ideas

We got all six defense-industry stakeholders in a room. Now what?

A unique forum reveals rifts—and potential ways forward—in the quest to improve defense innovation.