Science & Tech

China Shows Off Self-Steering Boat that Fires Missiles

But the U.S. still appears to have the edge in sophisticated seagoing drones.

Science & Tech

China’s Beating the US to Market on Combat Drones, By Copying US Technology

America seems to have squandered a 10-year head start.

Science & Tech

How Estonia Secures Its Electronic Elections From Kremlin Attacks

Could innovations like a volunteer infosec corps and 'data embassies' help the U.S.?

Science & Tech

US Military’s Self-Flying Helicopter Program Passes Critical Test

Unmanned Black Hawks are coming. The goal is a major flight demonstration next year.

Science & Tech

Social-Media Companies Are Scanning for Potential Terrorists — Islamic Ones, Anyway

Big platforms like Facebook others have come a long way in detecting and preventing the spread of Islamic extremist content and tracking potential Muslim terrorists. Why aren’t they doing more about other kinds?

Science & Tech

This Army Missile Might be the Pentagon’s First Post-INF Weapon

The U.S. has already held discussions with defense firms about extended-range modifications.

Science & Tech

Russian Intel Chief: Internet Should be Controlled By ‘Proper Authorities’

The FSB says it’s trying to curb extremism online — but it’s also muting foreign and dissenting voices.

Science & Tech

China’s Moon Missions Could Threaten US Satellites: Pentagon

A satellite on the far side of the moon might not be quite what the Chinese say, Air Force official warns.

Science & Tech

Ukrainian Armed-Drone Makers Sprint Ahead as Russian Effort Hits Snag

The Ukrainians are eagerly off showing a proposed long-range UAV while uncertainty surrounds Russia’s Altius program.

Threats

Scientists: Pentagon’s Plant-Virus Research Could Endanger World’s Food Supply

But DOD responds that new ways are needed to harden crops against coming natural and manmade threats.

Science & Tech

Defense Intel Chief Worried About Chinese ‘Integration of Human and Machines’

The future of human performance is a research race, and the U.S. shouldn’t take its lead for granted, the DIA director says.

Science & Tech

Many of the US Military’s Newest Weapons Have Major Cyber Vulnerabilities: GAO

Testers achieved access with simple tools, default passwords, and long lists of known-yet-unfixed vulnerabilities.

Science & Tech

Microsoft Announces ‘Secret’ Cloud Capability, Closes In on Amazon

The advancement moves Microsoft closer to competing for the Pentagon’s coveted JEDI top-secret-cloud contract.

Ideas

Winning “Like War”: A Conversation about Social Media and Conflict with Peter Singer

A new book looks at how “likes” and lies are reshaping the nature of war and peace around the globe. We sat down with the author.

Science & Tech

New Tool Fights Fake News by Exposing the Websites That Create It

MIT and Qatari researchers say it’s easier to expose a liar than debunk each of his lies.

Threats

Ukraine is Building a Mosquito Navy to Fend Off Russia, With US Help

Hostilities in the Sea of Azov are heating up, and the U.S. is increasing its involvement.

Science & Tech

DHS Aims to Replace Slow, Outdated Bioterror-Detection System

A new plan to draw on big data and distributed sensors will replace a 2003 system that can take up to 39 hours to detect a threat.

Science & Tech

The Pentagon’s New Ambassador to Silicon Valley Is Hawkish on China

The former Symantec CEO also thinks immigration is key to a tech race the US is currently losing.

Science & Tech

The Must-Haves of the Next Strategic Nuclear Bomber

Air Force officials opened up — just a bit — about at the thinking that’s informing the design process.