Author Archive

Patrick Tucker

Science & Technology Editor

Patrick Tucker
Patrick Tucker is science and technology editor for Defense One. He’s also the author of The Naked Future: What Happens in a World That Anticipates Your Every Move? (Current, 2014). Previously, Tucker was deputy editor for The Futurist for nine years. Tucker has written about emerging technology in Slate, The Sun, MIT Technology Review, Wilson Quarterly, The American Legion Magazine, BBC News Magazine, Utne Reader, and elsewhere.
Policy

Pentagon officials are bracing for Musk's DOGE

SecDef hints at pushback, but others worry about the team's record of breaking into databases and making hasty cuts.

Business

With IVAS takeover, Anduril looks to build out human-machine ‘ecosystem’

Microsoft takes back seat as defense-tech firm proclaims a “new path in human augmentation.”

Threats

‘Ceasefire’ or no, Ukraine says it still needs weapons

As Trump announces plans to negotiate, Russia has committed thousands of ceasefire violations—in Ukraine alone.

Threats

Gutting of USAID is making it harder to monitor aid sent abroad, watchdog says

Agency’s IG says locking staff out increases the risk of funds going to “U.S.-designated terrorist organizations.”

Science & Tech

L3 unveils new low-bandwidth, high-autonomy drone swarm tech

The new program could allow operators to manage hundreds—and eventually thousands—of drones.

Policy

Hegseth: Pentagon must return to long-term planning against strategic adversaries

In a Pentagon town hall, new defense secretary vowed to make longer-term plans, deploy tech faster, and have fewer flag officers and smaller staffs.

Business

What Google’s return to defense AI means

More competition in a hot market—and the plain fact that only the Pentagon will set boundaries.

Threats

USAID shutoff will hurt US interests around the globe, including Ukraine

The end of USAID is a win for China and Russia.

Policy

Gabbard and Patel hearings display diverging views of reality, history along partisan lines

Senators focused mostly on the nominees’ past statements, rather than how they may lead in their prospective positions.

Science & Tech

Trump’s ‘Iron Dome for America’ plan would put weapons in space, at a big cost

It’s a Cold War concept for a mission whose threats and tools have long since changed.

Science & Tech

How DeepSeek changed the future of AI—and what that means for national security

China’s breakthrough is an opportunity for American companies to build more efficient tools. That will also help the U.S. military.

Business

To limit Chinese influence on commercial tech partners, Pentagon plans big changes

Working with startups promises big innovation gains—and big security risks—for the Defense Department.

Policy

NATO spending increase could help Ukraine, and possibly US armsmakers

Biden, Trump teams reportedly discussed an arrangement under which NATO's European members would buy U.S.-made arms for Ukraine.

Threats

Report: Crypto donations to right-wing extremist groups rising, especially in Europe

The good news: Use of digital currencies makes monitoring those groups easier.

Business

Industry launches $100B AI-infrastructure effort to keep ahead of China

Oracle, OpenAI focus on data centers as AI race begins to turn on computing power instead of math.

Policy

Border declaration, terrorist designations unlock new options—and new risks

President Trump declares a national emergency and vows to designate transnational gangs, drug cartels as terrorists.

Business

For Trump and Musk, reforming how the Pentagon works is possible—but not easy

Fixing Pentagon acquisition will take confronting Congress, officials say.

Exclusive Business

Shield AI to train Ukrainians on jam-resistant drones

Deal aims to give a new dimension to the world’s “premier tactical drone operating military,” company president says in interview.

Science & Tech

Pentagon to test how generative AI would perform in fight with China

Can ChatGPT-like programs help the U.S. win a war in the Pacific?