Author Archive
Patrick Tucker
Science & Technology Editor

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.
- Patrick Tucker
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.”
- Patrick Tucker
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.
- Patrick Tucker
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.”
- Patrick Tucker
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.
- Patrick Tucker
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.
- Patrick Tucker
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.
- Patrick Tucker
Threats
USAID shutoff will hurt US interests around the globe, including Ukraine
The end of USAID is a win for China and Russia.
- Patrick Tucker
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.
- Patrick Tucker
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.
- Patrick Tucker
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.
- Patrick Tucker
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.
- Patrick Tucker
Threats
The D Brief: SecDef Hegseth’s first day; Trump’s deportation spat with Colombia; Trump’s DOD vs. DEI; Ukraine’s front-line shakeup; China’s new AI ‘breakthrough’?; And a bit more.
- Ben Watson, Patrick Tucker and Bradley Peniston
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.
- Patrick Tucker
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.
- Patrick Tucker
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.
- Patrick Tucker
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.
- Patrick Tucker
Business
For Trump and Musk, reforming how the Pentagon works is possible—but not easy
Fixing Pentagon acquisition will take confronting Congress, officials say.
- Patrick Tucker
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.
- Patrick Tucker
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?
- Patrick Tucker