Science & Tech
Declining public trust in AI is a national-security problem
Could AI firms’ efforts to serve the government help reverse the trend?
Business
Established defense contractors lend tech startups a helping hand
Oracle launched a new defense ecosystem to support companies that lack the funds or infrastructure to jump right into a Pentagon contract.
Science & Tech
Air Force brings ARRW hypersonic missile program back from the dead
“Diversity imposes costs on the adversary,” one expert explained.
Threats
China may own the ‘narrative’ of future conflict if the US crushes the satellite imagery biz: experts
Experts say NRO cuts would hurt public understanding of what adversaries are doing.
Ideas
Don’t limit defense innovation by capping small-biz awards
A proposed change to the Small Business Innovation Research program would deprive the military of some of its best problem-solvers.
Science & Tech
Bill aims to lock in DIU’s dual-use reservist corps
The soldier of the future might have a day job at a start-up.
Science & Tech
For DOD, the future of large language models is smaller
Everyone loves big AI, but “maybe there is a smaller-parameter model that could run on a laptop.”
Defense Systems
Make big things small and small things big: SOCOM’s gear wishlist
As special operations forces prepare to take on a wider set of missions, their tech needs are growing more ambitious.
Science & Tech
Sentinel ICBM program needs brand-new silos, Air Force says
One expert says the revelation smacks of “mismanagement and incompetence.”
Science & Tech
Marines say they’re ‘leading the way’ in battlefield autonomy
But unique technical challenges and tech wariness keep robot trucks on a short leash.
Business
How cargo drones could reshape Marine Corps resupply
Medium-sized cargo drones could be key to effective distributed operations. One company is rushing to be the first to deliver them.
Defense Systems
The Army has rolled out a generative AI workspace to improve daily operations
And because those tools guzzle cloud compute, the service is also looking at ways to cut costs and maintain efficiency.
Business
DIU barrels ahead with tri-regional expansion plans
Once awarded, the Defense Innovation Unit would have eight OnRamp hubs to help steer commercial and dual-use tech to the Pentagon.
Science & Tech
Nano-material breakthrough could revolutionize night vision
A new sensor material needs no bulky cooling gear—and fewer Chinese rare earths—to work well.
Science & Tech
Beyond 3D: Tech companies partner on drone-powered ‘extended reality’ to reduce plane maintenance times
Maintenance times are going up, keeping planes in hangers longer. High-resolution images from inspector drones could help change that.
Policy
State of the Air Force 2025
The unveiling of a new, sixth-gen fighter jet bodes well for more airpower investment, but readiness problems and funding questions persist.
Policy
State of the Marine Corps 2025
“Everything is in danger of slipping,” commandant says of Marine modernization.
Science & Tech
Pentagon program could kickstart a new era of nuclear power
AI is driving investor demand for new nuclear power concepts. The Defense Department is poised to give the best ideas a big boost.
Business