Author Archive
Patrick Tucker
Science & Technology Editor, Defense One

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
Space Force contracts for new ‘zero-trust’ data protection
It’s hard to upgrade infrastructure, especially if it's related to space.
- Patrick Tucker
Science & Tech
EU official calls out X as largest promotor of disinformation
“My message for Twitter/X is…We will be watching what you do,” official says.
- Patrick Tucker
Science & Tech
Taiwan is using generative AI to fight Chinese disinfo
But LLM models will enable new adversaries as well as allies, top intelligence official warns.
- Patrick Tucker
Science & Tech
Ukraine downed a hypersonic missile with a Patriot. What that says about the future of weapons
Weapons makers say the Pentagon has made progress on innovation, but still has work to do.
- Patrick Tucker
Science & Tech
France sees smaller future in Africa, larger role in the Pacific, says country’s air force chief
French military is increasing its spend on tankers to be more places at once with a lighter permanent footprint.
- Patrick Tucker
Exclusive
Threats
With eye toward Russia and China, NORTHCOM concludes special mission in the Arctic
“It's really both competitors we see operating up there, routinely,” commander says.
- Patrick Tucker
Threats
US partners in Asia can act as ‘counterweight’ to China, says Army Pacific commander
“Each of these nations out here are working to defend their national sovereignty,” Gen. Charles Flynn said Wednesday.
- Patrick Tucker
Threats
China’s new satellites extend its military reach, US says
Rapid buildup “allows them to see much further with greater precision at day and at night and through all weather,” Space Force intel chief says.
- Patrick Tucker
Science & Tech
US must harness generative AI in competition against China, think tank warns
The Pentagon recently launched a task force to explore how to incorporate generative AI, but a new report notes it could be useful across a wide range of government activities.
- Patrick Tucker
Science & Tech
How China could use generative AI to manipulate the globe on Taiwan
Generative AI could allow China to radically improve and scale up disinformation efforts, just in time for the Taiwanese presidential election, a new report argues.
- Patrick Tucker
Exclusive
Science & Tech
Russian military actors went to Niger, Mali close to coup dates, data shows
A few Russians seem to have picked an odd time for sightseeing in Africa.
- Patrick Tucker
Policy
Geopolitical tension with China would hit U.S. critical technology sectors hard, new study shows
The next major financial crisis is likely to stem from further deterioration between the U.S.-China relationship
- Patrick Tucker
Science & Tech
Pentagon seeks missile defense integration with Australia
U.S. and Australia deepen military partnership on technology.
- Patrick Tucker
Science & Tech
‘Hellscape’: DOD launches massive drone swarm program to counter China
INDOPACOM wants to be able to find and hit 1,000 targets in 24 hours. Cheap drones are the answer—if DOD can make them quickly enough.
- Patrick Tucker
Science & Tech
As DOD steps up response to bioweapon threat, China plays complicated role in biosecurity
A new biodefense council looks to get ahead of the next pandemic.
- Patrick Tucker
Threats
Putin’s chef meets his ‘window.’ What does that mean for the future of Ukraine?
The legacy of the world’s most famous mercenary leader is likely copycat organizations, and little else, experts say.
- Patrick Tucker
Science & Tech
Lockheed, Northrop share $1.5B contract for new comms satellites
Seventy-two satellites, which will begin launching in 2026, will be “the space backbone for the Joint All Domain Command and Control.”
- Patrick Tucker
Science & Tech
New Chinese research examines how to get drones to target without GPS
But camera data can’t tell a drone whether hitting a target is a bad idea.
- Patrick Tucker
Defense Systems
Army hopes big-data techniques can help secure its clouds
“Multifactor authentication will not be enough,” said the Army’s senior cyber leader.
- Patrick Tucker
Science & Tech
Plasma breakthrough could enable better hypersonic weapons, spacecraft
Hot electronics are a big problem for next-generation missiles. The fourth state of matter could be the solution.
- Patrick Tucker