Military

Explaining the software, tech, and design behind military tools, whether they're deployed on land, at sea, in the sky, or in space.

Latest in Military

What Must a Humanoid Disaster-Response Robot Do to Win DARPA’s Challenge?

Technology

What Must a Humanoid Disaster-Response Robot Do to Win DARPA’s Challenge? What Must a Humanoid Disaster-Response Robot Do to Win DARPA’s Challenge?

By Rebecca Boyle

Video: The Navy’s ‘Shoulder-to-Shoulder’ Firefighting Robot’s First Trial By Fire

Technology

Video: The Navy’s ‘Shoulder-to-Shoulder’ Firefighting Robot’s First Trial By Fire Video: The Navy’s ‘Shoulder-to-Shoulder’ Firefighting Robot’s First Trial By Fire

Video: Aircraft Carrier Crews Guide In Robot Planes With Visible Hand Gestures

Technology

Video: Aircraft Carrier Crews Guide In Robot Planes With Visible Hand Gestures Video: Aircraft Carrier Crews Guide In Robot Planes With Visible Hand Gestures

By Rebecca Boyle

Microsoft’s ‘Universal Translator’ Lets You Speak Foreign Languages In Your Own Voice

Technology

Microsoft’s ‘Universal Translator’ Lets You Speak Foreign Languages In Your Own Voice Microsoft’s ‘Universal Translator’ Lets You Speak Foreign Languages In Your Own Voice

Could Iran’s Ultra-Tough Concrete Withstand Bunker-Busting Bombs?

Technology

Could Iran’s Ultra-Tough Concrete Withstand Bunker-Busting Bombs? Could Iran’s Ultra-Tough Concrete Withstand Bunker-Busting Bombs?

By Rebecca Boyle

Video: DARPA’s Cheetah Sets a Land-Speed Record for Running Robots

Technology

Video: DARPA’s Cheetah Sets a Land-Speed Record for Running Robots Video: DARPA’s Cheetah Sets a Land-Speed Record for Running Robots

Chinese Drones Will Use Genetic Algorithms to Learn to Hunt For Submarines

Technology

Chinese Drones Will Use Genetic Algorithms to Learn to Hunt For Submarines Chinese Drones Will Use Genetic Algorithms to Learn to Hunt For Submarines

Video: Flamethrowing Navy Railgun Blasts Terrifying Projectiles Through Superheated Air

Technology

Video: Flamethrowing Navy Railgun Blasts Terrifying Projectiles Through Superheated Air Video: Flamethrowing Navy Railgun Blasts Terrifying Projectiles Through Superheated Air

By Rebecca Boyle

DARPA Invests In Megapixel Augmented-Reality Contact Lenses

Technology

DARPA Invests In Megapixel Augmented-Reality Contact Lenses DARPA Invests In Megapixel Augmented-Reality Contact Lenses

Video: A New ‘Smart Bullet’ Deploys Fins and Guides Itself to a Laser-Designated Target

Technology

Video: A New ‘Smart Bullet’ Deploys Fins and Guides Itself to a Laser-Designated Target Video: A New ‘Smart Bullet’ Deploys Fins and Guides Itself to a Laser-Designated Target

The World’s First 3-D, Free-Standing Invisibility Cloak Conceals from All Angles

Technology

The World’s First 3-D, Free-Standing Invisibility Cloak Conceals from All Angles The World’s First 3-D, Free-Standing Invisibility Cloak Conceals from All Angles

Video: DARPA Rubs a Flame With an Electric Wand to Extinguish It

Technology

Video: DARPA Rubs a Flame With an Electric Wand to Extinguish It Video: DARPA Rubs a Flame With an Electric Wand to Extinguish It

By Dan Nosowitz

The Army’s Newest Surveillance Drone Can Shoot 80 Years’ Worth of Video In a Day

Technology

The Army’s Newest Surveillance Drone Can Shoot 80 Years’ Worth of Video In a Day The Army’s Newest Surveillance Drone Can Shoot 80 Years’ Worth of Video In a Day

Borderworld: How the U.S. Is Reengineering Homeland Security

Technology

Borderworld: How the U.S. Is Reengineering Homeland Security Borderworld: How the U.S. Is Reengineering Homeland Security

By Roger D. Hodge

Next-Generation Surveillance Robots Can Analyze Their Environment

Technology

Next-Generation Surveillance Robots Can Analyze Their Environment Next-Generation Surveillance Robots Can Analyze Their Environment

By David Hambling

Invisible Warriors: The Future of Camo

Technology

Invisible Warriors: The Future of Camo Invisible Warriors: The Future of Camo

By David Hambling

The Next Generation of Silent Submarines Could Defeat Radar and Sonar Sensing

Technology

The Next Generation of Silent Submarines Could Defeat Radar and Sonar Sensing The Next Generation of Silent Submarines Could Defeat Radar and Sonar Sensing

By David Hambling

MIT’s Nano-Bio-Bandage Can Stop Your Bleeding Almost Immediately

Technology

MIT’s Nano-Bio-Bandage Can Stop Your Bleeding Almost Immediately MIT’s Nano-Bio-Bandage Can Stop Your Bleeding Almost Immediately

Mae Jemison, Who Was the First Black Woman in Space, Will Now Lead 100-Year Starship Project

Technology

Mae Jemison, Who Was the First Black Woman in Space, Will Now Lead 100-Year Starship Project Mae Jemison, Who Was the First Black Woman in Space, Will Now Lead 100-Year Starship Project

By Rebecca Boyle

What We Know So Far About the Successor to the B-2 Stealth Bomber

Technology

What We Know So Far About the Successor to the B-2 Stealth Bomber What We Know So Far About the Successor to the B-2 Stealth Bomber

By David Hambling

How a Decade of IEDs Has Reshaped Bomb Disposal Tech

Technology

How a Decade of IEDs Has Reshaped Bomb Disposal Tech How a Decade of IEDs Has Reshaped Bomb Disposal Tech

DARPA’s ‘Membrane Optics’ Spy Satellite Could Capture Close-Up Video of Earth from Orbit

Technology

DARPA’s ‘Membrane Optics’ Spy Satellite Could Capture Close-Up Video of Earth from Orbit DARPA’s ‘Membrane Optics’ Spy Satellite Could Capture Close-Up Video of Earth from Orbit

Marines in Afghanistan Execute the World’s First Cargo Resupply with an Unmanned Helicopter

Technology

Marines in Afghanistan Execute the World’s First Cargo Resupply with an Unmanned Helicopter Marines in Afghanistan Execute the World’s First Cargo Resupply with an Unmanned Helicopter

For the First Time, Predator Drones Participate in Civilian Arrests on U.S. Soil

Technology

For the First Time, Predator Drones Participate in Civilian Arrests on U.S. Soil For the First Time, Predator Drones Participate in Civilian Arrests on U.S. Soil

Video: Iran Puts Its Captured RQ-170 Drone on Display

Technology

Video: Iran Puts Its Captured RQ-170 Drone on Display Video: Iran Puts Its Captured RQ-170 Drone on Display

The Army’s Latest Innnovation: A Sandwich That Stays Fresh for Two Years

Technology

The Army’s Latest Innnovation: A Sandwich That Stays Fresh for Two Years The Army’s Latest Innnovation: A Sandwich That Stays Fresh for Two Years

DARPA’s Impossible-Sounding Shredder Challenge is Already Solved

Technology

DARPA’s Impossible-Sounding Shredder Challenge is Already Solved DARPA’s Impossible-Sounding Shredder Challenge is Already Solved

China Daily: There Should Be a Beijing-Washington Hotline to Avoid Cyber-Misunderstandings

Technology

China Daily: There Should Be a Beijing-Washington Hotline to Avoid Cyber-Misunderstandings China Daily: There Should Be a Beijing-Washington Hotline to Avoid Cyber-Misunderstandings

Blue Devil Airship is Getting a Super-High-Speed Optical Laser Downlink Upgrade

Technology

Blue Devil Airship is Getting a Super-High-Speed Optical Laser Downlink Upgrade Blue Devil Airship is Getting a Super-High-Speed Optical Laser Downlink Upgrade

Video: DARPA’s FastRunner is a Robo-Ostrich Capable of 30 MPH Sprints

Technology

Video: DARPA’s FastRunner is a Robo-Ostrich Capable of 30 MPH Sprints Video: DARPA’s FastRunner is a Robo-Ostrich Capable of 30 MPH Sprints

Operation Ghost Click, the Biggest Cyber-Bust Ever, Shuts Down Estonian Bot Ring

Technology

Operation Ghost Click, the Biggest Cyber-Bust Ever, Shuts Down Estonian Bot Ring Operation Ghost Click, the Biggest Cyber-Bust Ever, Shuts Down Estonian Bot Ring

A Texas Sheriff’s Department is Launching an Unmanned Helodrone that Could Carry Weapons

Technology

A Texas Sheriff’s Department is Launching an Unmanned Helodrone that Could Carry Weapons A Texas Sheriff’s Department is Launching an Unmanned Helodrone that Could Carry Weapons

Can Technology Save the Military From a Data Deluge?

Technology

Can Technology Save the Military From a Data Deluge? Can Technology Save the Military From a Data Deluge?

Quantum Scheme Could Allow Submarines to Communicate Securely

Science

Quantum Scheme Could Allow Submarines to Communicate Securely Quantum Scheme Could Allow Submarines to Communicate Securely

DARPA’s ‘Flying Humvee’ Is Moving Ahead, Ready For Prototype

Technology

DARPA’s ‘Flying Humvee’ Is Moving Ahead, Ready For Prototype DARPA’s ‘Flying Humvee’ Is Moving Ahead, Ready For Prototype

Inside the DIY Weapons Workshop of the Libyan Rebels

Technology

Inside the DIY Weapons Workshop of the Libyan Rebels Inside the DIY Weapons Workshop of the Libyan Rebels

By Sarah A. Topol

Video: MIT’s X-Ray Vision System Can See Straight Through Concrete Walls

Technology

Video: MIT’s X-Ray Vision System Can See Straight Through Concrete Walls Video: MIT’s X-Ray Vision System Can See Straight Through Concrete Walls

Army Developing Drones That Can Recognize Your Face From a Distance

Technology

Army Developing Drones That Can Recognize Your Face From a Distance Army Developing Drones That Can Recognize Your Face From a Distance

Today in 3-D Printing: Musical Instruments and Instruments of War

Technology

Today in 3-D Printing: Musical Instruments and Instruments of War Today in 3-D Printing: Musical Instruments and Instruments of War

The Next Generation of Night-Vision Goggles

Technology

The Next Generation of Night-Vision Goggles The Next Generation of Night-Vision Goggles

By Dan Nosowitz

The U.S. Army Is Ordering Weaponized, Soldier-Launched Kamikaze Suicide Drones

Technology

The U.S. Army Is Ordering Weaponized, Soldier-Launched Kamikaze Suicide Drones The U.S. Army Is Ordering Weaponized, Soldier-Launched Kamikaze Suicide Drones

Video: Cloaking System Makes Tank Invisible to Infrared Sensors

Technology

Video: Cloaking System Makes Tank Invisible to Infrared Sensors Video: Cloaking System Makes Tank Invisible to Infrared Sensors

By Dan Nosowitz

Scientists Fit Cyborg Beetles With Generators that Turn Their Own Wings into Power Plants

Technology

Scientists Fit Cyborg Beetles With Generators that Turn Their Own Wings into Power Plants Scientists Fit Cyborg Beetles With Generators that Turn Their Own Wings into Power Plants

Video: HTV-2 in Mach-20 Flight, Just Minutes Before Autonomously Aborting its Mission

Technology

Video: HTV-2 in Mach-20 Flight, Just Minutes Before Autonomously Aborting its Mission Video: HTV-2 in Mach-20 Flight, Just Minutes Before Autonomously Aborting its Mission

New Computer Chip Modeled on a Living Brain Can Learn and Remember

Technology

New Computer Chip Modeled on a Living Brain Can Learn and Remember New Computer Chip Modeled on a Living Brain Can Learn and Remember

By Rebecca Boyle

Sneak Preview: Military’s Maple-Seed-Inspired Drone, Plus More to Come at UAV Show Next Week

Technology

Sneak Preview: Military’s Maple-Seed-Inspired Drone, Plus More to Come at UAV Show Next Week Sneak Preview: Military’s Maple-Seed-Inspired Drone, Plus More to Come at UAV Show Next Week

By Rebecca Boyle

DARPA’s HTV-2 Launches, Contact Lost, Status of Mission Remains Unclear [Updated]

Technology

DARPA’s HTV-2 Launches, Contact Lost, Status of Mission Remains Unclear [Updated] DARPA’s HTV-2 Launches, Contact Lost, Status of Mission Remains Unclear [Updated]

Hackers Turn a Flare Gun Into a DIY Camera-Drone Launcher

Technology

Hackers Turn a Flare Gun Into a DIY Camera-Drone Launcher Hackers Turn a Flare Gun Into a DIY Camera-Drone Launcher

By Rebecca Boyle

Video: Minesweeping Tank-Bot Shreds Land Mines, Rolling Through Explosions With Ease

Technology

Video: Minesweeping Tank-Bot Shreds Land Mines, Rolling Through Explosions With Ease Video: Minesweeping Tank-Bot Shreds Land Mines, Rolling Through Explosions With Ease

By Rebecca Boyle

Some People Talk About Space-Time Invisibility Cloaks. At Cornell, They Built One

Technology

Some People Talk About Space-Time Invisibility Cloaks. At Cornell, They Built One Some People Talk About Space-Time Invisibility Cloaks. At Cornell, They Built One

Tinkerer Emulates Iron Man With Real-Life, Palm-Mounted Laser Weapon

DIY

Tinkerer Emulates Iron Man With Real-Life, Palm-Mounted Laser Weapon Tinkerer Emulates Iron Man With Real-Life, Palm-Mounted Laser Weapon

By Andrew Rosenblum

Is The New TDL-4 Botnet Really ‘Indestructible?’

Technology

Is The New TDL-4 Botnet Really ‘Indestructible?’ Is The New TDL-4 Botnet Really ‘Indestructible?’

Haptic Vibrating Belts Guide U.S. Soldiers Through the Darkness

Technology

Haptic Vibrating Belts Guide U.S. Soldiers Through the Darkness Haptic Vibrating Belts Guide U.S. Soldiers Through the Darkness

By Rebecca Boyle

Navy Tests an Ocean Sensor That Autonomously Dives and Surfaces Using Microbe Power

Technology

Navy Tests an Ocean Sensor That Autonomously Dives and Surfaces Using Microbe Power Navy Tests an Ocean Sensor That Autonomously Dives and Surfaces Using Microbe Power

By Rebecca Boyle

Obama Announces $500 Million Investment in Robots and Other Advanced Manufacturing Tech

Technology

Obama Announces $500 Million Investment in Robots and Other Advanced Manufacturing Tech Obama Announces $500 Million Investment in Robots and Other Advanced Manufacturing Tech

By Rebecca Boyle

Let’s Reconstitute Humans From Genomes Launched Into Space! and Other Ambitious Proposals for Galactic Colonization

Technology

Let’s Reconstitute Humans From Genomes Launched Into Space! and Other Ambitious Proposals for Galactic Colonization Let’s Reconstitute Humans From Genomes Launched Into Space! and Other Ambitious Proposals for Galactic Colonization

By Rebecca Boyle

WWI-Era Dazzle Camouflage Could Protect Modern Military Vehicles Even Better than Old Ones

Technology

WWI-Era Dazzle Camouflage Could Protect Modern Military Vehicles Even Better than Old Ones WWI-Era Dazzle Camouflage Could Protect Modern Military Vehicles Even Better than Old Ones

By Rebecca Boyle

The Pentagon Has a Classified List of Cyber Weapons Approved for Cyber Warfare

Technology

The Pentagon Has a Classified List of Cyber Weapons Approved for Cyber Warfare The Pentagon Has a Classified List of Cyber Weapons Approved for Cyber Warfare

Pentagon Declares That Cyber-Attacks Can Constitute an Act of War, Deserving an Armed Response

Technology

Pentagon Declares That Cyber-Attacks Can Constitute an Act of War, Deserving an Armed Response Pentagon Declares That Cyber-Attacks Can Constitute an Act of War, Deserving an Armed Response

2011 Invention Awards: A Crime-Fighting Armored Glove

DIY

2011 Invention Awards: A Crime-Fighting Armored Glove 2011 Invention Awards: A Crime-Fighting Armored Glove

By Brooke Borel

How Darpa’s Tiny Robotic Hummingbird Hovers and Films

Technology

How Darpa’s Tiny Robotic Hummingbird Hovers and Films How Darpa’s Tiny Robotic Hummingbird Hovers and Films

As the Army Fights the Mississippi River, Who Is Winning?

Technology

As the Army Fights the Mississippi River, Who Is Winning? As the Army Fights the Mississippi River, Who Is Winning?

Video: Phantom Ray Drone Makes Maiden Solo Flight

Technology

Video: Phantom Ray Drone Makes Maiden Solo Flight Video: Phantom Ray Drone Makes Maiden Solo Flight

By Rebecca Boyle

The Helicopter That Crashed in the Bin Laden Raid Was a Secret Stealth Helicopter

Technology

The Helicopter That Crashed in the Bin Laden Raid Was a Secret Stealth Helicopter The Helicopter That Crashed in the Bin Laden Raid Was a Secret Stealth Helicopter