Kelsey D. Atherton

Plutonium cores, or pits, are the triggers for thermonuclear weapons.

Unmanned vessels like Saildrone and MANTAS can expand the Navy’s understanding of the oceans as potential battlefields.

Two companies are developing workhorse drones able to transport gallons and gallons of water by air.

The 3-foot-long drones, when released from high-flying planes, are designed to glide for miles.

The prototype can move around and transmit audio and video, too.

A vacuum for cookie crumbs (on the internet, that is), an amphibious boat that does more than float, and more of the Best of What's New.

Turning an empty water bottle into new material, like protein powder or gun lubricant, could help create a useful purpose for trash.

Neither cold nor snow can keep these drones from reaching where they need to go—hopefully.

The ground-based missile defense technology comes from the United Kingdom.

A small folding monocopter could someday conduct reconnaissance missions.