Defense Technologies

Defense Technologies

The groundbreaking technologies that are beginning to remake the business, culture, and lifestyle of so many civilians also present challenges to national security establishments. Artificial Intelligence (AI), directed energy, autonomous weapons, advanced robotics, 5G networks, additive manufacturing, quantum computing, and bio-/neurotechnology are only a few among the many cutting-edge technologies which the United States and its adversaries are preparing to militarize.

The 5×5—Reflections on trusting trust: Securing software supply chains

Report Aug 27, 2026

AI and autonomy in contested operations

By Owen J. Daniels

Any potential major conflict the United States engages in will be shaped by AI and autonomous systems. US forces should expect their systems to operate in denied, degraded, intermittent, and limited (DDIL) conditions imposed by jamming techniques, cyber-attacks, and anti-satellite capabilities designed to sever the connectivity and wreak havoc on military operations.
Artificial Intelligence Defense Policy
The 5×5—Reflections on trusting trust: Securing software supply chains

TURKEYSource Aug 11, 2026

Turkey wants a bigger role in NATO. Its defense industry will be key.

By Alp Ozen

With the NATO Summit in Ankara behind it, Turkey’s defense sector now faces the challenge of turning political momentum into action—from defense-industrial cooperation to diplomatic initiatives and NATO capability development.
Defense Industry Defense Technologies
The 5×5—Reflections on trusting trust: Securing software supply chains

Trackers and Data Visualizations Mar 20, 2026

Tracking US military assets in the Iran war

By Joe Costa, Theresa Luetkefend, and Moss Gillespie,

What is the US military committing to the war in Iran? How will that affect the US presence in other theaters around the world—including the Pacific, where the United States faces its most consequential challenge? We’re tracking the aircraft carriers, bombers, and missile defense systems deployed to Operation Epic Fury.
China Defense Industry

Content

The 5×5

May 12, 2022

The 5×5—Reflections on trusting trust: Securing software supply chains

By Simon Handler

Five experts discuss the implications of insecure software supply chains and realistic paths to securing them. 

Cybersecurity Defense Technologies
Several tiny satellites photographed by an Expedition 33 crew member on the International Space Station. The satellites were released outside the Kibo laboratory using a Small Satellite Orbital Deployer attached to the Japanese module’s robotic arm on Oct. 4, 2012. Source: NASA, “Several tiny satellites,” Wikimedia Commons, October 4, 2012, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ISS-33_Several_tiny_satellites_1.jpg.

Report

May 5, 2022

Small satellites: The implications for national security

By Nicholas Eftimiades

Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Nicholas Eftimiades considers how the US government can better leverage commercial satellites to enhance space security.

China Defense Industry

In the News

May 3, 2022

Kroenig on Fox News on kamikaze drones

By Atlantic Council

Matthew Kroenig talks about how loitering munitions will have a critical impact on the war in Ukraine in the short term.

Conflict Defense Technologies

Transcripts

May 2, 2022

The Pentagon needs a new technology strategy to deter Russia and China, says Lockheed Martin CEO

By Atlantic Council

Lockheed Martin Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer James Taiclet joined the Atlantic Council to talk about a security strategy for the twenty-first century.

Conflict Defense Industry

In the News

May 2, 2022

Pavel on NPR on US military aid to Ukraine

By Atlantic Council

Barry Pavel discusses US military aid to Ukraine.

Conflict Defense Technologies

The 5×5

Apr 29, 2022

The 5×5—Addressing the global market for offensive cyber capabilities

By Simon Handler

Five experts unpack the global market for offensive cyber capabilities and the implications associated with the proliferation of hacking tools.

Conflict Cybersecurity

In the News

Apr 24, 2022

Manning in The National Interest: The coming anarchy in outer space

By Atlantic Council

On April 24, Robert Manning published an article in the National Interest with Peter Wilson concerning international space activities. They argue that space is becoming increasingly anarchic, and advocate for a return to heavier international regulations on humanity’s final frontier. “It is a sign of the times that NASA, whose accords would be a strong […]

China Defense Technologies

In the News

Apr 21, 2022

Samotin in Foreign Affairs: A high-reward, low-risk approach to AI military innovation

By Atlantic Council

On April 21, Laura Resnik Samotin co-authored a Foreign Affairs article with Michael Horowitz and Lauren Khan. They argue that the United States is unprepared for strategic competition over AI development, and lay out a framework to safely and quickly operationalize the technology. “The United States, then, faces dueling risks from AI. If it moves […]

China Defense Technologies

New Atlanticist

Apr 20, 2022

The next National Defense Strategy is coming. These seven points are key to understanding it.

By the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Our experts break down what we know so far about the document that will guide the Pentagon's policy making in the coming years, and what burning questions remain.

China Conflict

In the News

Apr 18, 2022

Grieco in Decisive Point: Air littoral: another look

By Atlantic Council

On April 18, Grieco was interviewed by the Decisive Point podcast about applying her concept of the “air littoral” to the air war in Ukraine. “This convergence of new threats to air superiority in the air littoral meant that we need to update doctrinal conducts. In the past, air superiority was either won or lost in the […]

Conflict Defense Technologies
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Experts

Fellow

Elliot Ackerman

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Defense Policy

Fellow

Robert Bassett Cross MC

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Fellow

Joseph T. Bonivel Jr.

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoTech Center

Cybersecurity Defense Technologies

Fellow

Mark Brunner

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Fellow

Ryan Bulger

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Technologies Indo-Pacific

Fellow

Debra Cagan

Senior Advisor, Eurasia Center

Eurasia Center

Defense Industry Defense Technologies
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