Defense Systems

Army hopes big-data techniques can help secure its clouds

“Multifactor authentication will not be enough,” said the Army’s senior cyber leader.

Science & Tech

Plasma breakthrough could enable better hypersonic weapons, spacecraft

Hot electronics are a big problem for next-generation missiles. The fourth state of matter could be the solution.

Science & Tech

Army looks to de-tangle its networks to combat China’s ‘digitally native’ military

By year’s end, troops should be able to jump on a network from just about any location, an Army cyber leader said.

Science & Tech

The next big space business: satellite pictures of other satellites

As space debris proliferates and new weapons appear, a new market is rising to document it all.

Science & Tech

New AI laser system to guard US capital region from unauthorized aircraft

‘The first line of defense is actually that they will beam a laser at the cockpit of the aircraft.’

Exclusive Science & Tech

The Pentagon just launched a generative AI task force

A conversation with the leader of Task Force Lima reveals its objectives—and the main questions it's trying to answer.

Policy

Future wars will turn on space-cyber-special operations triad: Army SOF chief

The success of information ops is “the most important lesson learned from Ukraine right now.”

Policy

Pentagon: US must fix two things if AUKUS is to transform partner militaries

Top policy official says shoring up industrial base, reforming export-control law are key.

Threats

‘More capable than anything we have’: lawmakers, witnesses, express alarm on UFO phenomenon

Witnesses recounted other-worldly events, but the head of the government office investigating those claims isn’t biting.

Science & Tech

New DIU head seeks to scale up DOD, Silicon Valley tech partnerships

Pentagon must reassure the startup world by showing it can put new commercial technology into operation, says the new head of the Defense Innovation Unit.

Science & Tech

US is losing AI edge to China, experts tell lawmakers

‘China will be able to outspend us if they choose to do so,’ said one former senior Pentagon official.

Threats

A US soldier is in North Korean custody. What happens now?

Travis King joins a list of Americans held by North Korea—Americans who have had mostly bad experiences.

Ideas

Defense One Radio, Ep. 129: After the NATO summit + a trip to the Pacific

Patrick Tucker explains what he learned during a recent trip to Indo-PACOM headquarters in Hawaii.

Threats

America's Pacific allies want more joint exercises, short-supply munitions

China’s neighbors are learning from the Ukraine war—including the value of long-range fires.

Policy

Ukraine disappointed, but NATO summit sees progress on several fronts

Sweden is expected to get a formal OK for membership and the alliance is to release new battle plans. There's even a sidelines commitment to Ukraine.

Policy

Tuberville holds on military nominations hurting readiness against China, says Deputy Defense Sec

From NDAA amendments and ‘poison pill’ spending bills to promotion holds, Republicans' efforts are frustrating Pentagon officials.