Science & Tech

The Navy Wants Drones to Counter China’s Gray-Zone Moves

CNO says the upcoming 4th Fleet experiments will inform an eventual move into Indo-Pacific operations.

Science & Tech

Sea-Air-Space Conference Wire 3: The Next Drone-Using Fleet

Day 2 of the Navy League conference brought word that 4th Fleet will join 5th Fleet as a focus of the Navy's experiments with unmanned craft.

Science & Tech

What’s Next in US Hypersonic Efforts as Air Force Shelves ARRW

The service will focus on a potentially cheap scramjet as research continues in other services.

Science & Tech

Failed Hypersonic Test Dims Air Force View of Lockheed Missile

The service had previously disclosed that an ARRW test happened in March, but markedly avoided saying whether it was a success.

Science & Tech

How Self-Flying F-16s Will Enable Future Fighter Drones

The Air Force’s Venom project aims to use test data to train an AI engine that can be widely used.

Science & Tech

Soldiers Can Now Steer Robot Dogs With Brain Signals

A small sensor tucked neatly behind the ear allowed soldiers to mentally guide robotic quadrupeds.

Science & Tech

The Air Force Is Rebuilding Its Pacific Plans Around the B-21

A “daily flyer” bomber that’s also an intel-and-communications hub will make the entire service less vulnerable in a potential war with China, officials say.

Science & Tech

Marine Makers: How I MEF Troops Are Putting 3D Printers to Work

From generator covers to car parts, a Marine describes how additive manufacturing helps his unit get on with its mission.

Business

Pentagon Mobilized to Support Tech Startups After Bank Failure

The failure of Silicon Valley Bank presents the Defense Department with warnings—and opportunities.

Science & Tech

Pentagon Looking to Make Sure SpaceX Doesn’t Abandon Them in War

Spooked by the company’s new limits in Ukraine, military leaders are mulling new types of contracts.

Threats

TikTok, COVID, and Chips: Senators and Intelligence Community Reinforce Diverse Threats Posed by China

During an annual hearing on the biggest threats to the United States, senators and top intelligence officials discussed China’s growing non-military influence.

Science & Tech

'Major Technical Challenges' Hinder Path to Responsible AI, NIST Official Says

Effective AI governance starts with developing metrics for trust—and that itself is fiendishly difficult.

Science & Tech

The Reaper UAV Is Getting Its Own Drone Swarm

Air Force special operators are rigging the venerable uncrewed aircraft with an ISR swarm that may take just one person to control.