Science & Tech

Trump’s New Missile Policy Relies Heavily on Largely Unproven Technologies

New adversary missiles are to be met by a host of technologies that, by and large, don’t exist yet.

Threats

Missile Defense Review Calls for Protecting US From Cruise Missiles

The long-awaited report calls for technology development, but stops short of calling for the deployment of hypersonic interceptors and space-based lasers.

Ideas

Trump Tried Partisan Applause Lines Inside the Pentagon. Nobody Applauded.

The president uses a missile-defense policy rollout to bash Democrats before the military’s senior leaders.

Science & Tech

Pentagon to Study Putting Anti-Missile Laser Weapons in Space

The long-anticipated missile defense review shies away from a full-scale push — which critics say underlines the idea’s folly.

Science & Tech

Inspectors Find Big Cyber Vulnerabilities in US Missile Defense System

The managers of the nation’s missile defense system aren’t implementing basic cybersecurity practices, according to a new inspector report.

Ideas

How FEMA Could Help Avoid Another Missile Alert Mishap

State and local authorities are responsible for sending and rescinding alerts, but FEMA can—and says it will—require the underlying infrastructure be more user-friendly.

Science & Tech

Pentagon Wants More Money for Lasers To Defend Against Missiles, Drone Swarms

Directed-energy weapons are with a factor of two or three to being militarily useful, the Pentagon’s top scientist said.

Ideas

Ep. 26: The pipe-bomber and the presidency; More US troops at the border; Exiting the INF and more.

Welcome to our podcast about the news, strategy, tech, and business trends defining the future of national security.

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.

Ideas

Where Is the Arms Control Community on Russia’s Intermediate-Range Cruise Missile?

The kerfuffle over a U.S. diplomat’s words underscores a strange apathy toward a treaty-breaching weapon.

Ideas

A Missile-Defense Layer in Space Is Affordable and Makes Sense

Critics warn about sky-high price tags while blocking efforts to divine the actual cost.

Ideas

Is Nothing Better than Something? Trashing These Treaties Makes No Sense

The Open Skies, Intermediate Nuclear Forces, and New START agreements are important strands of the nuclear safety net.

Threats

Japan’s New Ship-Based Interceptor Shoots Down a Ballistic Missile in Test

It’s the fifth successful test of Japan’s ability to intercept ballistic missiles from warships.

Ideas

Congress Wants a Space-Based Missile Defense System. That’s a Colossally Bad Idea

A provision in the 2019 defense authorization act orders the Pentagon to start development.

Ideas

Deploy the Next-Gen Missile-Defense Network in Pieces

Instead of waiting for full deployment, the Pentagon should roll out parts of its new command-and-control systems as they become ready.

Ideas

Ep. 16: Hypersonic missiles; Black Hat/Defcon 2018; Q&A w/ Chris Lynch of Defense Digital Services.

Welcome to our podcast about the news, strategy, tech, and business trends defining the future of national security.

Ideas

Congress Rushes to Spend Billions on Space Weapons—Even if They Don’t Work

Even a bare-bones system would be ridiculously costly, and more likely to foster war than prevent it.

Ideas

How America Protects Its Citizens and Allies from Ballistic Missiles

The U.S. military has four primary means of shooting down incoming missiles. But even together, they can’t promise to stop everything.