Science & Tech

The 9 Strangest Flying Robots from the World’s Biggest Drone Show

At a drone conference in Atlanta, everyone was looking for the next big thing in UAV design. Here’s a look at some of the most interesting, innovative and outlandish drones Defense One came across.

Science & Tech

Is the Poor Man’s Predator the Future of Armed Drones?

If the U.S. loosens its rules on the export of armed drones, the biggest names won’t necessarily be the biggest winners.

Science & Tech

The Air Force Wants You To Build Their Next Drone Engine

The Pentagon hopes that the next Predator is in someone's garage.

Science & Tech

Here’s What the New Tesla Battery Means for the Military

Elon Musk’s big announcement could revolutionize energy use for U.S. consumers—and that could be its biggest effect on national security.

Science & Tech

How the Pentagon Could Soon Share Americans' Data With Foreign Militaries

The new cyber strategy could provide allies with Americans’ information gathered under proposed legislation.

Science & Tech

America's Police Will Fight the Next Riot With These Stink Bombs

Future protestors in places like Baltimore could be met with a new and disgusting chemical weapon.

Science & Tech

Pentagon Sets Up a Silicon Valley Outpost

Can Ash Carter enlist a tech community spooked by spying and allergic to bureaucracy?

Science & Tech

The Army Is Testing Handheld Ray Guns

Fittingly, these rifle-sized weapons would gun for other electronics.

Science & Tech

Marines Testing Piggyback Hunter Drones

A marriage of one unmanned rover and one flying drone is the “next level” in battlefield autonomy.

Science & Tech

NSA Chief: Rules of War Apply to Cyberwar, Too

In the tightly controlled discussion about cyber weapons, this counts as a step toward transparency.

Threats

New Pentagon Chief Carter to Court Silicon Valley

The Pentagon wants to partner more with Silicon Valley tech firms, but can radically different cultures find common ground?

Science & Tech

The Navy is Preparing To Launch Swarm Bots Out of Cannons

The military’s swarm robots move from sea to air with a new program to shoot drones.

Science & Tech

Pentagon Seeks Sensors That Last for Years

Reducing battery drain by a factor of 1,000 will enable true “persistent surveillance.”

Science & Tech

The Army Wants Robot Four-Wheelers and Decepticons

The service is outlining a multi-decade plan for autonomic and robotic systems.

Science & Tech

Can the Military Make a Prediction Machine?

The planet is awash in open, free data. Can military-funded research turn it into a crystal ball?

Ideas

Special Report: To Protect Ourselves From Bioweapons, We May Have to Reinvent Science Itself

Getting far better at predicting what research will produce may be the only way to save the world.

Science & Tech

Military's Ebola Vaccine Tests Safe

Months of clinical trials have shown a military-supported Ebola vaccine to have 'robust' effectiveness to stop future outbreaks.

Threats

Here’s When the Next Incursion Into Ukraine Could Happen

The Minsk II agreement is roughly in place, but not for long, according to one former NATO supreme allied commander.

Science & Tech

This Duck Drone Could Spy on Enemy Subs

But building a flying-and-swimming robot is harder than nature makes it look.

Threats

Pentagon: Yes, Taking Tikrit Just Got Harder

DoD official concedes that Iran was helping Iraq take back its city.