Science & Tech
Pentagon Wants Help With Its Predictive Aircraft Maintenance AI
Among other things, the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center needs someone to format data about H-60 helicopters in a way that an AI can learn from it.
Business
US Defense Firms Hiring Thousands Amid Record Unemployment
Pentagon spending on missiles, satellites, and nuclear weapons fuels a production boom, as firms fight off commercial aerospace downturn.
Business
Amazon Files Another Protest Over JEDI Contract
In response, Microsoft blasts Amazon Web Services for trying to force a do-over for the multibillion-dollar cloud contract.
Ideas
The Post-Pandemic Military Will Need to Improvise
We don’t mean Pentagon-style “innovation.” We mean like the chefs on the reality show “Chopped.”
Policy
Prospective Navy Secretary Vows to 'Restore the Appropriate Culture'
Kenneth Braithwaite answered pointed questions from senators, but he and fellow nominees from DoD and the Air Force appear set for confirmation.
Ideas
Pull US Troops, not Diplomats and Development Experts, from Afghanistan
America’s interests are no longer furthered by military might in the country, but we can still help in other ways.
Threats
Esper Says Pentagon Is Bracing for a ‘New Normal’ That Lasts ‘An Extended Period of Time'
"What do we do over the next 6, 12, 18 months?” the defense secretary asked at a Monday virtual event.
Ideas
Propaganda, the President, and the ‘Reopen’ Protesters
The military’s nostalgic WWII-style posters urge face masks and national unity, but they’re not reaching Trump and his disbelieving followers.
Science & Tech
Artificial Intelligence Outperforms Human Intel Analysts In a Key Area
A Defense Intelligence Agency experiment shows AI and humans have different risk tolerances when data is scarce.
Policy
Pentagon’s ‘Willingness to Kiss the President’s Ass’ Worries Top Lawmaker
‘I am worried about a culture developing,’ says House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith, D-Wash., after the latest delay in Navy captain’s fate.
Policy
Pentagon Blasts Lawmakers’ Critique Of COVID-19 Response
Democratic lawmakers accused SecDef of leading a “disjointed and slow” response to the pandemic.
Science & Tech
Zoom or Not? NSA Offers Guidance for Choosing a Videochat App
The crypto agency has a list of questions for federal employees and contractors to ask as they choose a collaboration tool.
Ideas
Do You Miss Baseball? Here’s How the Pentagon Might Have Predicted the Nationals’ World Series Upset
Red teaming can help spot flawed assumptions, root out dangerous biases—and explain how oddsmakers got the Nats-Astros matchup so wrong.
Policy
Reinstate Capt. Crozier to USS Roosevelt, Navy Tells Esper
The decision now rests with Defense Secretary Mark Esper.
Ideas
The Defense Department Needs a Real Technology Strategy
To succeed in a long-term competition with China, the Department needs a transparent process to set spending priorities — not conflicting guidance and a shifting range of interests.
Business
Pentagon Urges Mexico to Reopen COVID-Closed Factories That Supply US Weapon Makers
A surprising number of America’s defense manufacturers rely on parts made south of the border.
Threats
Inside the Wild Final Week of the Acting Navy Secretary
How it all fell apart for Thomas Modly in seven days that included a two-plane, 50-hour trip to chastise a fired skipper to his sailors aboard a COVID-stricken aircraft carrier.
Ideas
Haircuts in a Time of Coronavirus?
There have been too many confusing messages during this crisis. Senior military and civilian leaders should be enforcing social distancing as much as discipline, and with one voice.
Policy
Pentagon IG: We Can’t Rule Out White House Influence on JEDI Award
A 300-page investigation reveals multiple ethics violations and a refusal by Defense Department General Counsel to let senior officials comment on communications with the White House.
Science & Tech