Author Archive
Defense Systems
Make big things small and small things big: SOCOM’s gear wishlist
As special operations forces prepare to take on a wider set of missions, their tech needs are growing more ambitious.
Science & Tech
Air Force Special Operations wants to fire cruise missiles from Reaper drones
The demand for AFSOC forces is increasing, creating new pressure to re-imagine current tools.
Science & Tech
Wanted: counter-drone defenses that don't hurt surrounding neighborhoods
Base defenders need to collect and analyze much more data from many more sources, DIU director says.
Threats
Experts see rise of powerful non-state groups as US retreats from global stage
“Syria is an absolute case study in proxy warfare” and a possible window into the future.
Business
How cargo drones could reshape Marine Corps resupply
Medium-sized cargo drones could be key to effective distributed operations. One company is rushing to be the first to deliver them.
Threats
Trump pressures Zelenskyy to accept pro-Russian deal
But Ukraine ceasefire talks are still salvageable, experts say—if Trump changes course.
Threats
China’s rare-earth mineral squeeze will hit the Pentagon hard
More than 78 percent of the U.S. military’s weapons rely on Chinese materials, a new report calculates.
Science & Tech
Nano-material breakthrough could revolutionize night vision
A new sensor material needs no bulky cooling gear—and fewer Chinese rare earths—to work well.
Science & Tech
Beyond 3D: Tech companies partner on drone-powered ‘extended reality’ to reduce plane maintenance times
Maintenance times are going up, keeping planes in hangers longer. High-resolution images from inspector drones could help change that.
Threats
Shuttering of State office leaves US largely defenseless against foreign influence warfare, officials say
‘This is how we lose big wars,’ one former researcher said of the larger effort to eliminate or dismantle organizations that monitor and counter disinformation.
Featured eBooks
Science & Tech
Pentagon program could kickstart a new era of nuclear power
AI is driving investor demand for new nuclear power concepts. The Defense Department is poised to give the best ideas a big boost.
Science & Tech
Could this breakthrough in robot manufacturing reshape warfare?
New advance in artificial intelligence manufacturing could set the stage for robot factories on front lines.
Business
Long-sought goal of better Pentagon buying may finally be within reach
A new executive order seeks to overhaul defense buying. A handful of innovators within the Defense Department are already showing the way.
Threats
Keep US troops in Europe, EUCOM commander says
Gen. Cavoli outlined security and military benefits to the United States from presence in Europe.
Science & Tech
Sub-drone sonar trap concept unveiled at Navy conference
Anduril and Ultra Maritime team up on a new-ish concept.
Business
US weapons support for Ukraine doesn’t compete with Taiwan goals: report
FDD authors say America can continue to arm three partners at once—if it rebuilds its factories.
Science & Tech
What will quantum computing actually look like?
DARPA picks 15 companies to detail their approaches.
Policy
US-Europe divorce unlikely—absent a new crisis
The European Union wants more defense autonomy from the United States. But they still want a partnership with Washington.
