Author Archive
Patrick Tucker
Technology Editor, Defense One

Patrick Tucker is technology editor for Defense One. He’s also the author of The Naked Future: What Happens in a World That Anticipates Your Every Move? (Current, 2014). Previously, Tucker was deputy editor for The Futurist for nine years. Tucker has written about emerging technology in Slate, The Sun, MIT Technology Review, Wilson Quarterly, The American Legion Magazine, BBC News Magazine, Utne Reader, and elsewhere.
Science & Tech
Russian Robot Maker Working On Bot to Target Abrams, Leopard Tanks
But is it all just a PR stunt?
- Patrick Tucker
Policy
When May a Robot Kill? New DOD Policy Tries to Clarify
An updated policy tweaks wording in a bid to dispel confusion.
- Patrick Tucker
Breaking News
Policy
US to Send 31 M1 Abrams Tanks to Ukraine
They will join “hundreds” more armored vehicles arriving amid concerns about an anticipated Russian offensive.
- Patrick Tucker
Policy
White House Announcement on M1 Abrams Tanks Expected Tomorrow
Poland is also likely to provide Leopard 2 tanks, with or without Germany’s blessing.
- Patrick Tucker
Science & Tech
Is This New Microwave Weapon the Answer to Iranian Drones?
Army awards $66 million to develop weapon that can fry drone bits in the air.
- Patrick Tucker
Science & Tech
Is China About To Destroy Encryption As We Know It? Maybe
A new research paper claims to offer a quantum-powered code-breaker of spectacular power. “If it's true, it's pretty disastrous,” says one expert.
- Patrick Tucker
Policy
US, Allies Push Armor and Rockets Into Ukraine
The aid package comes amid worries about a Russian spring offensive.
- Patrick Tucker
Policy
Kahl: U.S. Focused on ‘Next Phase’ of Ukraine Conflict
A big aid package is expected this week, but it likely won’t contain long-sought, controversial items like ATACMS.
- Patrick Tucker
Science & Tech
UFO Sightings By US Troops Surge
Intelligence officials cite recent efforts to reduce the stigma of reporting odd aerial phenomena. Many cases remain unexplained.
- Patrick Tucker
Science & Tech
NASA, Northrop Drawing Up the Future of Drone Cargo Jets
Before pilotless airlifters can deliver your packages, the government needs to model how they’ll interact with everything else in the air.
- Patrick Tucker
Policy
Ukraine Needs US Help in Fighting Two Wars, Sen. King Says
The Maine independent recently returned from meetings with leaders in Ukraine.
- Patrick Tucker
Science & Tech
How AI Could Predict The Damage to Ukraine from Russian Missiles
By training a machine-learning model on battle-damage imagery, one company aims to help understand where attacks are happening and assess damage more quickly and accurately.
- Patrick Tucker
Policy
Bradleys, Self-Propelled Howitzers Head to Ukraine as More Difficult Fight in the South Awaits
The biggest U.S. aid package yet reflects new realities on the ground.
- Patrick Tucker and Marcus Weisgerber
Threats
Foreign Meddling in US Elections Affects Allies’ Trust, Study Finds
When respondents were told that American democracy wasn’t working reliably, they lost faith in the U.S. commitment to partnerships.
- Patrick Tucker
Threats
Senior White House Official: Wagner Mercenaries More ‘Aggressive’ Than Russian Military
The Wagner group is doing what the regular Russian military can’t. But it’s still losing.
- Patrick Tucker
Policy
Zelenskyy to America: Our Fight Is Your Fight
“Your money is not charity," the Ukrainian president said, but "an investment in the global security and democracy that we handle in the most responsible way.”
- Patrick Tucker
Science & Tech
Musk Has Reduced Twitter’s Ability to Spot Foreign Disinformation, a Former Data Scientist Says
Staff layoffs are just one way the new CEO has undermined the platform’s three-legged approach to the problem.
- Patrick Tucker
Policy
The Saudi-China Deal Tells Us What Autocracies Want From Each Other
Biden’s blunt democracy-vs.-autocracy rhetoric may be pushing U.S. security partners toward Beijing.
- Patrick Tucker
Policy
US To Expand Ukraine Training Mission Early Next Year
New program aims to train 500 Ukrainians a month in Germany.
- Patrick Tucker
Threats
Russians Still Support the War But Are Less Certain What It’s About, Poll Finds
Majorities of those surveyed said that it's a good time for Moscow to begin negotiations.
- Patrick Tucker