Business

UK Confirms Plans to Add F-35s, But Won’t Commit to Original Goal

Officials have promised to buy 48, are thinking about buying more, but wouldn’t say whether the 138-plane vision will ever be realized.

Science & Tech

DARPA to Hire Biz Execs to Help Its Researchers Take Tech to Market

In a cooperative effort with In-Q-Tel, 150 research teams will get funds to help develop go-to-market strategies.

Threats

Defense Innovation Unit Launched 23 Projects Last Year, Up One-Third

The group also sent 11 capabilities to Defense Department partners, according to its annual report.

Policy

US Unprepared for AI Competition with China, Commission Finds

Retaining the current dwindling edge will take White House leadership and a substantial investment, according to the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence.

Business

Air Force General: If US Doesn’t Hurry to Build New Fighter, China Will

A test version of the highly classified Next Generation Air Dominance aircraft flew last year.

Business

F-35 Still the ‘Cornerstone’ Fighter, Top Air Force General Says 

After calling for a new fighter, Gen. Brown clarified the F-35 is alive and well while a new study reevaluates fighters and drones for 2036.

Ideas

What Can the Pentagon Realistically Get from Its Advisory Boards?

A former chair says the boards provide a lot, could do better — and help weed out impractical or oversold ideas.

Business

Hicks Warns Against ‘Extreme Consolidation’ in Defense Industry

Kathleen Hicks, President Biden's pick to be deputy defense secretary, cruised through her confirmation confirmation hearing.

Ideas

Pentagon Advisory Boards Need to Offer 10X Ideas, Not 10% Ones

DoD's 40-plus boards must be restructured to help the department think far bigger.

Business

USAF Goes Commercial for Project-Management App

The service aims to accelerate its digitization by adopting product lifecycle management software already used by industry.

Threats

It's Harder to Boot Right-Wing Extremists from Social Media Than ISIS

There are various reasons why. But studies suggest it’s still worth the effort.

Threats

Two Years In, US Quantum-Science Coordinator Lays Out Next Steps

Three agencies involved in quantum research spent 2019 planning and 2020 launching new efforts. 

Ideas

We Need a Goldwater-Nichols Act for Emerging Technology

The 1986 law made joint experience a prerequisite for high rank. We must do the same for technological facility.

Science & Tech

‘Artificial Skin’ May One Day Make Troops Invisible, Even to Heat Sensors

Small interconnected panels mimic the color and temperature of their environment, similar to an octopus

Ideas

Mapping China’s Sprawling Efforts to Recruit Scientists

Beijing’s high-profile Thousand Talents Program is a tiny piece of a broad national strategy to build military and economic advantage.

Science & Tech

US Army Wants Data Analytics to Spot ‘Emerging Tech Leaders’

The Army plans to issue a call later this month through its Small Business Innovation Research program.