Military

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

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Nike’s New Strobing Glasses Enhance Athletes’ Visual Acuity and Sensory Skills

Technology

Nike’s New Strobing Glasses Enhance Athletes’ Visual Acuity and Sensory Skills Nike’s New Strobing Glasses Enhance Athletes’ Visual Acuity and Sensory Skills

A Working Assault Rifle Made With a 3-D Printer

Technology

A Working Assault Rifle Made With a 3-D Printer A Working Assault Rifle Made With a 3-D Printer

Digital Iris Fakes Made with Evolving Algorithm Fool Biometric Scanners

Technology

Digital Iris Fakes Made with Evolving Algorithm Fool Biometric Scanners Digital Iris Fakes Made with Evolving Algorithm Fool Biometric Scanners

U.S. Army to Test Body Armor Built Specifically For Women

Technology

U.S. Army to Test Body Armor Built Specifically For Women U.S. Army to Test Body Armor Built Specifically For Women

By Colin Lecher

Neurosecurity Lets You Store a Password In Your Brain Without Remembering It

Technology

Neurosecurity Lets You Store a Password In Your Brain Without Remembering It Neurosecurity Lets You Store a Password In Your Brain Without Remembering It

Modular System Quickly Converts Container Ships to Drone-Powered Humanitarian Aid Stations

Technology

Modular System Quickly Converts Container Ships to Drone-Powered Humanitarian Aid Stations Modular System Quickly Converts Container Ships to Drone-Powered Humanitarian Aid Stations

Video: DARPA Device Puts Out a Fire With Blast of Sound

Technology

Video: DARPA Device Puts Out a Fire With Blast of Sound Video: DARPA Device Puts Out a Fire With Blast of Sound

By Colin Lecher

Security Consultant Cracks Handcuffs Open With 3-D Printed Plastic Keys

Technology

Security Consultant Cracks Handcuffs Open With 3-D Printed Plastic Keys Security Consultant Cracks Handcuffs Open With 3-D Printed Plastic Keys

This Laser Can Instantly, Remotely Scan You For Drugs or Explosives

Technology

This Laser Can Instantly, Remotely Scan You For Drugs or Explosives This Laser Can Instantly, Remotely Scan You For Drugs or Explosives

Army Demonstrates a Weapon That Shoots Laser-Guided Lightning Bolts

Technology

Army Demonstrates a Weapon That Shoots Laser-Guided Lightning Bolts Army Demonstrates a Weapon That Shoots Laser-Guided Lightning Bolts

A Fingerprint Scanner That Can Capture Prints From 20 Feet Away

Technology

A Fingerprint Scanner That Can Capture Prints From 20 Feet Away A Fingerprint Scanner That Can Capture Prints From 20 Feet Away

The Air Force’s X-37B Space Plane Returns to Earth After a 15-Month Secret Mission

Technology

The Air Force’s X-37B Space Plane Returns to Earth After a 15-Month Secret Mission The Air Force’s X-37B Space Plane Returns to Earth After a 15-Month Secret Mission

IBM’s Sequoia Supercomputer is Now the World’s Fastest Computing Machine

Technology

IBM’s Sequoia Supercomputer is Now the World’s Fastest Computing Machine IBM’s Sequoia Supercomputer is Now the World’s Fastest Computing Machine

Rough Sketch: Self-Guided Bullet

Technology

Rough Sketch: Self-Guided Bullet Rough Sketch: Self-Guided Bullet

By Larry Shipers, as told to Flora Lichtman

The U.S. Military May Blanket Afghanistan in Tiny Spy Sensors That Last for Two Decades

Technology

The U.S. Military May Blanket Afghanistan in Tiny Spy Sensors That Last for Two Decades The U.S. Military May Blanket Afghanistan in Tiny Spy Sensors That Last for Two Decades

DARPA and Craig Venter Fire Up Bio-Factories For Quick, Streamlined Genetic Engineering

Technology

DARPA and Craig Venter Fire Up Bio-Factories For Quick, Streamlined Genetic Engineering DARPA and Craig Venter Fire Up Bio-Factories For Quick, Streamlined Genetic Engineering

By Rebecca Boyle

100-Year Starship Project Forges Ahead With First Round of Funding

Technology

100-Year Starship Project Forges Ahead With First Round of Funding 100-Year Starship Project Forges Ahead With First Round of Funding

By Rebecca Boyle

The Pentagon is Investing Millions to Advance the Future of 3-D Printing Tech

Technology

The Pentagon is Investing Millions to Advance the Future of 3-D Printing Tech The Pentagon is Investing Millions to Advance the Future of 3-D Printing Tech

Using Facial Recognition to Identify Unknown Subjects in History’s Great Portraits

Technology

Using Facial Recognition to Identify Unknown Subjects in History’s Great Portraits Using Facial Recognition to Identify Unknown Subjects in History’s Great Portraits

Video: ‘Anti-Piracy Curtain’ Makes Boarding Ships a Wet, Dangerous Mess for Pirates

Technology

Video: ‘Anti-Piracy Curtain’ Makes Boarding Ships a Wet, Dangerous Mess for Pirates Video: ‘Anti-Piracy Curtain’ Makes Boarding Ships a Wet, Dangerous Mess for Pirates

Doors Unlock With Keyed Vibrations Sent From Your Smartphone Through Your Bones

Technology

Doors Unlock With Keyed Vibrations Sent From Your Smartphone Through Your Bones Doors Unlock With Keyed Vibrations Sent From Your Smartphone Through Your Bones

Video: Last Year’s DARPA Hypersonic Glider Test Failed When Vehicle Sped Right Out of Its Own Skin

Technology

Video: Last Year’s DARPA Hypersonic Glider Test Failed When Vehicle Sped Right Out of Its Own Skin Video: Last Year’s DARPA Hypersonic Glider Test Failed When Vehicle Sped Right Out of Its Own Skin

The Human Element

Technology

The Human Element The Human Element

By C.J. Chivers

Video: DARPA’s Updated Humanoid Hits the Treadmill, Climbs Stairs, Does Push-Ups

Technology

Video: DARPA’s Updated Humanoid Hits the Treadmill, Climbs Stairs, Does Push-Ups Video: DARPA’s Updated Humanoid Hits the Treadmill, Climbs Stairs, Does Push-Ups

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

DARPA Wants Humanoid Robots That Can Drive Tractors, Open Doors and Save the Day

Technology

DARPA Wants Humanoid Robots That Can Drive Tractors, Open Doors and Save the Day DARPA Wants Humanoid Robots That Can Drive Tractors, Open Doors and Save the Day

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

Investigation: Despite Repeated Failures, DARPA Bought Director’s Family’s Lousy Bomb Tech

Technology

Investigation: Despite Repeated Failures, DARPA Bought Director’s Family’s Lousy Bomb Tech Investigation: Despite Repeated Failures, DARPA Bought Director’s Family’s Lousy Bomb Tech

Video: Former DARPA Chief Regina Dugan Talks Hypersonic Gliders and Hummingbirds at TED

Technology

Video: Former DARPA Chief Regina Dugan Talks Hypersonic Gliders and Hummingbirds at TED Video: Former DARPA Chief Regina Dugan Talks Hypersonic Gliders and Hummingbirds at TED

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

U.S. State Department Wants You to Find Fugitive Gem Thieves Via Twitter

Technology

U.S. State Department Wants You to Find Fugitive Gem Thieves Via Twitter U.S. State Department Wants You to Find Fugitive Gem Thieves Via Twitter

By Rebecca Boyle

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

The Airborne Laser, Missile-Zapping Laser Plane of the Future, Is No More

Technology

The Airborne Laser, Missile-Zapping Laser Plane of the Future, Is No More The Airborne Laser, Missile-Zapping Laser Plane of the Future, Is No More

Video: Spray-On Antenna Material Turns Just About Anything into a Signal Array

Technology

Video: Spray-On Antenna Material Turns Just About Anything into a Signal Array Video: Spray-On Antenna Material Turns Just About Anything into a Signal Array

A Tribute to the Fifty: A Nine-Story Forging Press That Can Benchpress a Battleship

Technology

A Tribute to the Fifty: A Nine-Story Forging Press That Can Benchpress a Battleship A Tribute to the Fifty: A Nine-Story Forging Press That Can Benchpress a Battleship

Video: President Obama Test-Fires a Marshmallow Cannon at the White House Science Fair

Technology

Video: President Obama Test-Fires a Marshmallow Cannon at the White House Science Fair Video: President Obama Test-Fires a Marshmallow Cannon at the White House Science Fair

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

In Its First Night Flight, the F-35 Soars at Sundown

Technology

In Its First Night Flight, the F-35 Soars at Sundown In Its First Night Flight, the F-35 Soars at Sundown

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

The Navy’s Gremlin Uses Sonic Waves to Find Underground Bombs

Technology

The Navy’s Gremlin Uses Sonic Waves to Find Underground Bombs The Navy’s Gremlin Uses Sonic Waves to Find Underground Bombs

Invisible Warriors: The Future of Camo

Technology

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

By David Hambling

Future Tanks Will Be Cooler, and Thus Invisible to Thermal Detection

Technology

Future Tanks Will Be Cooler, and Thus Invisible to Thermal Detection Future Tanks Will Be Cooler, and Thus Invisible to Thermal Detection

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

Carbon Nanotube Stealth Paint Could Make Any Object Ultra-Black

Technology

Carbon Nanotube Stealth Paint Could Make Any Object Ultra-Black Carbon Nanotube Stealth Paint Could Make Any Object Ultra-Black

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