Science & Tech

Can this GPS alternative keep a drone from crashing?

A product by Maxar uses satellite imagery to create 3D maps that help UAS fly even if GPS goes down.

As tanker plans remains uncertain, today’s Air Force refuelers may fly past their 100th birthday

The service may need to look at a service life extension of the KC-135, Air Mobility Command says.

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.

The Army wants AI to take physical risk off of its soldiers

The future is robots clearing buildings and disarming bombs, says Army Futures Command boss.

Back like it never left: Austin swarmed with defense tech for SXSW

Defense techies, startups, and investors were in full force this week—if not on the main stage.

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.

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.

Pentagon aims to accelerate acquisition of new tech through software-contracting change

Buyers must default to rapid-acquisition processes long used by DIU, SecDef memo orders.

Pentagon to build AI for war planning in Europe and Asia

Scale AI will develop an AI tool for interactive war gaming, resource allocation, analyzing Chinese threats.

‘No more viable option than NGAD,’ Air Force says as decision rests in new hands

With China unveiling its new sixth-gen designs, the service can do nothing better, officials say.

A 3D-printed submarine? Not likely, but maybe something close

The Navy is bumping up its use of additive manufacturing to make critical, delay-prone submarine parts, said Christopher Miller, NAVSEA’s executive director.

Hypersonics, autonomous systems top DepSecDef nom’s emerging-tech priorities

Feinberg said it’s time to “move away from expensive, overly sophisticated platforms that take years to develop.”

Defense One Radio, Ep. 173: Testing the Army’s new fighting strategy on Ukraine's doorstep

A 10th Mountain Division brigade commander talks electronic-warfare, innovation, and something he'd never experienced in the Army.

Pentagon may break up tech offices in acquisition-policy shift

Shakeup may also consolidate service PEO functions and put more R&D costs on industry, a Pentagon source says.

Microsoft-DARPA collaboration yields possible quantum chip breakthrough

A better way to check and store qubits could enable big applications for smarter drones, better processing, and doing much more with less.

Pentagon officials are bracing for Musk's DOGE

SecDef hints at pushback, but others worry about the team's record of breaking into databases and making hasty cuts.

L3 unveils new low-bandwidth, high-autonomy drone swarm tech

The new program could allow operators to manage hundreds—and eventually thousands—of drones.