Ideas

Calm Down, Folks: Enemies Still Fear US Military Tech Innovation

Where most countries focus on one or two areas, America has a huge, well-funded R&D infrastructure that pushes the envelope everywhere.

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.”

Threats

Congress Wrestles with Foreign Infiltration of US Universities

The latest NDAA tries to stop potential adversaries from recruiting talent and stealing innovative technology on campus.

Science & Tech

The US Army Will Help Uber Get Flying Taxis Off the Ground

The joint venture aims for quieter, more efficient propellers for stealth or urban flights.

Science & Tech

How a Pentagon Contract Sparked a Cloud War

Amazon and Google are taking on defense contractors in a heated battle for billions in government contracts.

Science & Tech

The Pentagon’s New R&D Chief Has a Mandate for Change

Michael Griffin has orders to concentrate the Defense Department’s diverse research and development efforts on a few key technologies.

Science & Tech

JEDI Will Be Just One of Many Clouds, Says Pentagon’s No. 2

The giant, groundbreaking IT contract may cover just a fraction of the cloud-services orders to come.

Science & Tech

The Pentagon Is Making a Ray Gun to Stop Truck Attacks

A device that resembles an old phonograph may soon be used to jam and shut down vehicles like the one that killed 10 people in Toronto.

Science & Tech

DARPA Wants to Merge Human and Computer Cyber Defenders

The CHESS program would build on DARPA’s autonomous cybersecurity contest and traditional hacking competitions.

Science & Tech

The Pentagon Is Building an AI Product Factory

Job One for the new Joint Artificial Intelligence Center will be delivering solutions for services’ specific problems.

Ideas

The Pursuit of AI Is More Than an Arms Race

Dealing wisely with the challenges of artificial intelligence requires reframing the current debates.

Ideas

US Military Dominance Requires Better Command-and-Control Tools

Commanders need an AI-infused infrastructure to keep tabs on friendly and hostile forces, suggest actions, and help carry out orders.

Science & Tech

AI: The Pros, Cons, and What To Really Fear

Dive into what's known so far about the new AI arms race — with a particular eye on U.S. and Chinese efforts — in a new special report.

Science & Tech

Shulkin’s Firing Leaves $16B Effort to Merge DoD/VA Health Records Up In The Air

Secretary Shulkin championed a contract with Cerner to develop a new health records system for Veterans Affairs, but the deal seems precarious now.