Below is an abridged version of the Forward Defense initiative’s Defense Technology Monitor, a bimonthly series tracking select developments in global defense technology and analyzing technology trends and their implications for defense, international security, and geopolitics.
Modern defense technology as we know it is rapidly changing.
That’s in part because drones are revolutionizing battlefields through enhanced reconnaissance and offensive capabilities. They are being extensively used in conflicts such as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza—and that is also sparking advancements in counter-drone technologies such as laser and radio frequency weapons.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is seeing its applications in defense grow. AI can have a significant impact on military operations, particularly in targeting and data analysis. But there are broader implications from AI, including its exploitation by criminals for cyberattacks and phishing, which present serious security challenges. Additionally, there are ethical and operational complexities of integrating AI into defense strategies to consider.
Advancements in cyber and electronic warfare are also having an impact on modern defense technology. Calls for robust security in the information domain and the electromagnetic spectrum have helped fuel the development of new technologies, for example, new quantum navigation technologies that offer protection against jamming. Safeguarding critical infrastructure from cyber threats, particularly from malicious actors like Chinese hackers, is becoming more and more urgent.
Below is a quick look at some of the new innovations and initiatives that are shaping global defense.
AI and data
The utilization of AI by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has ignited intense scrutiny over the ethical ramifications and operational validity of using the technology in military applications. Israeli news outlet +972 Magazine reported that the IDF developed AI tools to “mark” suspected operatives of Hamas as targets for bombing, citing Israeli officials familiar with the IDF’s AI systems. Israel denied these allegations, saying that the AI tools it has deployed don’t automatically generate targets. The ensuing scrutiny highlighted how AI systems tasked with identifying and striking military targets would pose significant risks of collateral damage, especially in densely populated areas. Critics argue that AI systems lack the nuanced judgment required to distinguish between combatants and noncombatants effectively. The prospect of using of AI in military applications raises larger geopolitical concerns, as the reliance on automated decision making in such sensitive contexts could escalate conflicts unintentionally and affect global perceptions of AI in warfare. As AI continues to play a pivotal role in military strategies, there are increasing calls from the international community for stringent oversight, transparent engagement rules, and ethical constraints to govern its use.
Autonomous systems
Malicious actors are increasingly harnessing generative AI to enhance their operations, creating more sophisticated threats to digital security. From crafting undetectable phishing emails to generating convincing deepfake audios and videos, these tools allow for a range of deceptive practices previously unattainable with traditional methods. This trend poses new challenges for cybersecurity defenses, necessitating advancements in digital verification techniques and the development of countermeasures to detect and mitigate the effects of AI-generated content. The implications are broad, affecting everything from individual identity security to national security, as these technologies can be used to influence public opinion, manipulate stock markets, or even sway political elections.
Platforms and weapons systems
The development of laser weapon systems by the US military highlights significant advancements in directed energy applications for defense. These laser systems, designed for precision targeting and minimal collateral damage, are tested under various operational scenarios to determine their efficacy against threats like drones, missiles, and other aerial targets. While promising, the deployment of these systems faces hurdles such as the need for substantial power sources, environmental limitations affecting beam propagation, and integration challenges with existing military platforms. Ongoing research aims to overcome these obstacles, with the goal of fully operationalizing laser weapons to provide a cost-effective, reliable, and scalable defense solution.
The information domain, cyber, and electronic warfare
Emerging concerns over cyber threats to US infrastructure have been amplified by revelations about covert operations by Chinese hackers. These operations involve embedding software in critical systems that could be activated remotely to cause significant disruption during geopolitical tensions. This strategy represents a shift towards more aggressive postures in cyber warfare, where the potential for damage extends beyond espionage to actual physical and economic harm. The United States is responding by bolstering its cybersecurity defenses, with an emphasis on enhancing resilience, detecting preemptive breach attempts, and mitigating potential impacts through rapid response and recovery strategies.
Manufacturing and industry
The South Korean defense minister announced the country’s intention to pursue collaboration on emerging technologies with the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia as part of Pillar II of AUKUS. The potential expansion of the AUKUS alliance into advanced technology sectors under Pillar II reflects a strategic initiative to deepen military cooperation beyond traditional domains. This collaboration aims to leverage cutting-edge technologies (including AI, quantum computing, and advanced cyber defenses) to maintain a competitive edge in the Indo-Pacific region. While this expansion requires careful management of technology transfers, alignment of regulatory standards, and protection of intellectual property rights, the initiative could set a precedent for future international defense and security collaborations, fostering a more integrated approach to global security challenges.
If you are interested in reading this month’s full issue of the Defense Technology Monitor, please contact Forward Defense Project Assistant Curtis Lee.
Forward Defense, housed within the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, generates ideas and connects stakeholders in the defense ecosystem to promote an enduring military advantage for the United States, its allies, and partners. Our work identifies the defense strategies, capabilities, and resources the United States needs to deter and, if necessary, prevail in future conflict.
Further reading
Tue, May 7, 2024
The drones are small—the arms race may not be. Here’s how the US can win.
New Atlanticist By Matthew Rose, Kathryn Levantovscaia
With rapid advances in drone technology, the United States needs to develop an updated, comprehensive counter-drone strategy.
Tue, May 21, 2024
Congress should save the Sentinel ICBM—its true value is more than simply its cost
New Atlanticist By James McCue
The value of the new intercontinental ballistic missile program should be measured over its full lifetime and not just by its current price tag.
Tue, Jun 11, 2024
Friend-sourcing military procurement: Technology acquisition as security cooperation
Issue Brief By James Hasik
Jim Hasik reviews the nine cases of US "friend-sourcing" of major military systems and finds they brought good quality, speed, and economy.
Image: Marines with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment wait for nightfall to conduct live-fire exercises on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 24, 2018. The Marines of 1/2 conducted immediate remedial action drills and traversed, searched and engaged targets moving from one to another. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Juan Madrigal)