Author Archive
Lauren C. Williams
Senior Editor
Lauren C. Williams is senior editor for Defense One. She previously covered defense technology and cybersecurity for FCW and Defense Systems. Before then, Williams has reported on several issues, including internet culture, national security, health care, politics and crime for various publications. She has a master's in journalism from the University of Maryland, College Park and a bachelor's in dietetics from the University of Delaware.
Defense Systems
DIA's AI-powered intel repository will be fully operational about a year late
MARS, which holds information about foreign militaries, will help pioneer new security tactics.
- Lauren C. Williams
Exclusive
Defense Systems
Air Force taps Leidos to lead digital infrastructure for connect-everything effort
The $303 million contract charges the company with leading the planning and analysis for the Advanced Battle Management System’s digital infrastructure network.
- Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems
The Navy’s new missile sub could cost ‘hundreds of millions’ extra: GAO
Report criticizes Electric Boat’s rosy assumptions, Navy’s spotty analysis.
- Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems
Is Australia worried about US submarine production? Over to you, SECDEF
At AUKUS meeting, Aussie defense chief defers to Austin, who says US is on the right track.
- Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems
Officials tout AI-powered sub-hunting as AUKUS defense chiefs converge
Austin is in London to review progress and plan next steps.
- Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems
The Space Force issued thousands of smartwatches to replace PT tests
Here’s how it’s going.
- Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems
The Air Force wants to expand cloud-based comms, official says
Maj. Gen. Luke Cropsey, the service’s top digital infrastructure buyer, said the plan is to scale use over the next year across tactical and operational systems.
- Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems
This ‘cloud in a box’ could save Air Force maintainers years of paperwork
The Air Force has been developing a portable data center that can hold maintenance and sustainment docs for every plane the service has—in a container the size of a window air conditioner.
- Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems
Budget drama could snag Pentagon’s satellite launch award
While source selection will continue, launch mission assignments for 2025 could stall.
- Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems
The Space Force’s plan for a ready fleet of commercial satellites takes shape
Companies have started to weigh in on the service's commercial augmentation space reserve program.
- Lauren C. Williams
Business
Navy adds $1B to unconventional effort to boost sub production
A non-profit’s sole-source contract pushes third-party funding to a potential of nearly $4 billion.
- Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems
Dear industry: Pentagon wants quantum GPS
The technology is proving difficult to field, according to the Pentagon’s quantum science lead.
- Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems
‘Moneyball’ for gun crews: Surprising data have Army division reshaping its gunnery training
You can spot a proficient crew with less shooting than you think.
- Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems
NSA’s China-focused ‘innovation pipeline’ targets economic imbalances
A new pilot program crowdsources ideas from analysts to scope out U.S. vulnerabilities.
- Lauren C. Williams
Business
Mike Gallagher talks priorities as Palantir’s new defense business chief
The former lawmaker is looking to draw on a decade of national security policy work in the new position.
- Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems
How one Army infantry division is using data analytics to keep soldiers safe
The 4th ID has tandem data efforts designed to track, alert, and predict harmful behavior trends.
- Lauren C. Williams
Threats
The D Brief: Fires in Russia; Rising morale in Ukraine; US fugitive fighting for Putin; Assessing troops in Syria; And a bit more.
- Ben Watson and Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems
The Pentagon’s IT agency looks to expand cloud offshore
The agency has been expanding services outside the continental U.S. while reworking tools to ease data access.
- Lauren C. Williams
Defense Systems
More than 7,000 NSA analysts are using generative AI tools, director says
The signals-intelligence agency has about 170 AI-related projects in the works, including 10 of the highest priority.
- Lauren C. Williams
Science & Tech
Quick satellite replacement should send a message to China, Air Force No. 2 says
Space Force aims to improve on last fall’s five-day replacement exercise.
- Lauren C. Williams