Defense

The Army’s dream of vastly simplified networking is starting to come true

Field commanders want even less gear to tend, but two divisions are showing how things are improving.

Industry ‘hamstrung’ by Space Force-intel community’s turf war

Commercial firms say NGA-centric acquisition can’t move fast enough to help combatant commands or foster innovation.

Senators want answers from DOD on quantum sensing efforts

Bipartisan letter wonders whether China’s programs “outstrip the efforts of the United States.”

Replicator 2 effort aims to produce anti-drone defenses

The second phase of the Pentagon’s make-more-stuff-quickly effort will kick off in the 2026 budget request, a memo says.

Space Force aims to track enemy aircraft with satellites by 2030s

Research underway to shift tracking of air and ground targets to more survivable orbiting assets.

Special operators hope AI can reduce civilian deaths in combat

Automation could eventually turn “trigger-pullers into the experts that can do this,” one official said.

Army puts new unit loaded with cutting-edge tech to the test

The reconnaissance unit is the poster child for Army plans to field more drones, electronic warfare, and communications equipment across the force.

Wearable tech and data analytics pair with human coaches and athletes for the 2024 DOD Warrior Games

As impressive as the technology is, it works best when paired with knowledgeable human coaches.

DOD unveils proposed final rule for CMMC contracting

A phased rollout of the cybersecurity standard should begin in early 2025, with varying compliance levels and increased program office discretion.

Two programs suggest the Pentagon is getting better at buying technology

The Maven and Collaborative Combat Aircraft efforts display real steps forward, a pair of reports say.

Wartime need for drones would outstrip US production. There’s a way to fix that

The U.S. military needs to “mainstream” new operating concepts and get going with big orders, experts say.

Air Force seeks secure cloud app to manage flights for govt VIPs

The new tool is critical “due to significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities identified in the existing scheduling system,” the branch says in a notice for industry.

Pentagon’s new cyber rules are ‘stifling’ foreign suppliers, advisors say

The soon-to-be-mandatory cybersecurity certification—and a 2018 OSD reorganization—are slowing vital work, the Defense Innovation Board says.

Info warriors coming to Navy subs in the Pacific

The move follows two other pilot efforts with Naval Submarine Forces, said Vice Adm. Kelly Aeschbach, the service’s outgoing “I-boss.”

Space operations boss wants more virtual simulations to boost training

After a recent demo, Lt. Gen. David Miller said Space Operations Command needs realistic simulations to train at the highest levels.

DARPA wants to use AI to find new rare minerals

With spectral analysis, it’s possible to “tell the difference [between] cocaine that came from one cartel’s area of Colombia versus another.”

Typos could steer sensitive messages to Mali, DOD warns

Millions of emails intended for the Department of Defense have been directed to Mali because of spelling errors in the recipient's email domain.