Threats

China Is Going to New Lengths to Surveil Its Own Citizens

New tech—including drones disguised as birds—can be a nightmare for Muslims in particular.

Threats

Thousands of Miles of Internet Cables Could Be Underwater by 2033

Rising sea levels could threaten internet access for millions of people, according to a recent study.

Business

Lockheed Will Design Both of the US Air Force’s Hypersonic Missiles

The latest contract could give the company lasting advantage over its competitors for some of the Pentagon’s top-priority weapons.

Policy

DIUx Drops the X, Becomes Permanent

Facing criticism, Pentagon signals to Silicon Valley the military isn't going anywhere.

Ideas

Think Before You Pledge Not to Build Military AI

Like self-driving cars, which also kill, autonomous weapons should be considered in a suitably complex context.

Science & Tech

The Pentagon Wants to Bring Mind-Controlled Tech To Troops

The Defense Department’s research arm is working on a project that connects human operators’ brains to the systems they’re controlling—and vice versa.

Science & Tech

US Air Force Wants More Commercial Companies Working AI Projects

Defense leaders issue a new call to industry after a study finds just two of 100 top AI firms have Pentagon contracts.

Ideas

Spooky Action: Sorting Hype from Reality in China’s Quantum-Tech Quest

Beijing is talking a big game. The US need not overreact — but it should act.

Science & Tech

Army Developing Simulated Missile Launchers to Improve Combat Training

The goal is to train pilots and other crew members on how to respond to shoulder-fired missiles and rocket launchers.

Science & Tech

U.S. Needs a National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, Lawmakers and Experts Say

The government is well-positioned to flag specific research areas that would have the biggest impact on national interests.

Science & Tech

China, Russia, and the US Are All Building Centers for Military AI

But their burgeoning approaches to state-sponsored research are divergent as the countries themselves.

Science & Tech

The Pentagon Wants to Automate Some Classification Decisions

The proposed software would help defense officials make classification decisions and automatically enforce them.

Science & Tech

The Rocket for America’s Next Space Plane Just Fired 10 Times in 10 Days

By 2021, the Phantom Express is slated to carry new satellites to orbit on a daily basis.

Science & Tech

Pentagon Shifts Its Multibillion-Dollar Cloud Programs to a New Leader

The new CIO will take over responsibility for JEDI, DOES, and other cloud efforts from the chief management officer.

Science & Tech

US Special Operations Forces Making Paper That Talks

Future psychological operations will airdrop the sheets to persuade targets to buck up or defect.

Science & Tech

‘Underground’ May Be the U.S. Military’s Next Warfighting Domain

Tunnels and subterranean infrastructure demand high-level attention, training, and technology, the military’s intelligence chief says.

Science & Tech

Navy: US Can’t Build Trump’s Planned Fleet — Unless AI Can Slash Costs

The nation's defense strategy depends on using advanced tech to build and repair warships more cheaply, says acquisition chief James "Hondo" Geurts.

Science & Tech

Florida Airport Will Be the First to Scan Every International Traveler's Face

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is doing it to meet a Congressional mandate to speed up security lines.

Science & Tech

Google’s Withdrawal from Pentagon AI Project Risks US Lives, Says Work

Former deputy defense secretary says the tech giant should consider how its work might help save U.S. troops — and how it is currently helping China.