Ideas

America’s New Stealth Bomber has a Stealthy Price Tag

Revealing how much the Air Force’s B-21 is costing won’t help America’s enemies — but will make oversight possible.

Business

How to Sell a COIN Aircraft in a Great-Power Era

Even as the Pentagon shifts its focus from low-intensity conflict to full-spectrum war, the U.S. Air Force might finally buy a prop-driven light attack plane.

Science & Tech

Microsoft Invades Amazon’s Turf in Spookville

An intelligence-community contract for cloud and AI services is just a prequel to the upcoming battle for the Pentagon’s massive cloud contract.

Business

The US Air Force Is Adding Algorithms to Predict When Planes Will Break

The airlines already use predictive maintenance technology. Now the service’s materiel chief says it’s a “must-do for us.”

Ideas

Hey, Big Tech, Don’t Abandon Uncle Sam’s Cyber Warriors

There’s a dangerously misguided provision in the otherwise laudable accord signed recently by 30 leading tech companies.

Business

L3 Shops for a Shipyard — and a Place in the Defense Industry’s Top Tier

Its bullish new CEO wants America’s sixth-largest defense firm viewed in the same group as the Big 5.

Business

Did Your Company Make that Warplane? Don’t Count on the Upgrade Work Anymore

The new Air Force acquisition chief wants to open more sustainment contracts to competition.

Ideas

The White House Is Relaxing Drone Exports. Here's a Good Next Step

A 31-year-old arms-control pact governs UAVs as if they were cruise missiles. Our national leadership in the field depends on fixing that.

Threats

The US Navy Wants a Better Way to Keep China’s Nose Out of Its Contracts

A subcontract with a Huawei partner has the secretary looking for an ‘institutional algorithm’ for spotting dicey partnerships.

Business

US Air Force Is Moving Faster on Space Contracts, Industry Execs Say

The service has new purchasing authorities, a planned new structure for its satellite-buying arm — and a new attitude, company leaders say.

Science & Tech

US Army Eyes Faster Weapons Development with a New Collaboration Hub

Super-strong materials, cyber defenses are on the agenda as the Army Research Lab launches new partnerships.