Author Archive

Patrick Tucker

Science & Technology Editor

Patrick Tucker
Patrick Tucker is science and 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

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.

Threats

Shuttering of State office leaves US largely defenseless against foreign influence warfare, officials say

‘This is how we lose big wars,’ one former researcher said of the larger effort to eliminate or dismantle organizations that monitor and counter disinformation.

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.

Science & Tech

Could this breakthrough in robot manufacturing reshape warfare?

New advance in artificial intelligence manufacturing could set the stage for robot factories on front lines.

Business

Long-sought goal of better Pentagon buying may finally be within reach

A new executive order seeks to overhaul defense buying. A handful of innovators within the Defense Department are already showing the way.

Threats

Keep US troops in Europe, EUCOM commander says

Gen. Cavoli outlined security and military benefits to the United States from presence in Europe.

Business

US weapons support for Ukraine doesn’t compete with Taiwan goals: report

FDD authors say America can continue to arm three partners at once—if it rebuilds its factories.

Policy

US-Europe divorce unlikely—absent a new crisis

The European Union wants more defense autonomy from the United States. But they still want a partnership with Washington.

Exclusive Science & Tech

Trump to get Golden Dome options next week: defense source

The Pentagon may need to create a new organization to build the ambitious missile shield, sources said.

Threats

‘Sloppy,’ ‘incompetent’ intelligence chiefs hammered for Signal chat

At Senate hearing, Gabbard, Ratcliffe struggled to recall details of Yemen-strike chat shared with journalist.

Science & Tech

Military hydrogen-cell drones poised for big takeoff

A new partnership presents a moment for scaling up new, longer-range hydrogen-cell drones for warfare.

Science & Tech

Future of US digital security in jeopardy due to White House attacks on science organization, officials say

Current and former cybersecurity officials say Trump administration attacks on key research centers will benefit China.

Science & Tech

Canada, other allies play a key role in some military AI experiments

The U.S. Air Force continues to plan joint experiments, tech development with Canadian and other partners.