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
CENTCOM Exercise Aims To Speed Up the Pace of War
Using AI to handle boring administrative tasks helps enable faster targeting.
- Patrick Tucker
Science & Tech
China’s Balloon May Have Taught the US More Than Beijing Learned From It, General Says
Still, NORAD’s chief says the U.S. military took “precautions,” including “non-kinetic effects.”
- Patrick Tucker
Policy
Key Republicans Launch Two-Part Plan to Pressure Biden on Ukraine
National security committee leaders in Congress are waging a public campaign to signal they support sending more advanced weapons to Ukraine–and faster than Biden is allowing.
- Patrick Tucker
Science & Tech
New Institute Will Study How the Defense Department Manages Itself
To “compete on a global stage,” DOD must get a handle on its management practices, Deputy Defense Secretary says.
- Patrick Tucker
Science & Tech
Test Flight Brings Hypersonic Program to Successful Close, DARPA Says
The HAWC effort has produced two “feasible hypersonic airbreathing missile designs.”
- Patrick Tucker
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