Explainers

Pentagon wants one operator for many robots. Research says attention is the limit

The number of vehicles per console says little. How often machines need a human, and for how long, sets the limit on one-to-many control.

ExplainerOct 10, 2026

Counter-UAS

Army buys 13,000 Merops interceptor drones at about $15,000 each. Radar and crews cost extra

Ukraine’s cheap interceptors and the Army’s Merops buy look like a bargain per round. Cost per kill depends on radar, crews and weather.

ExplainerOct 9, 2026

AI & Autonomy

Magnetic navigation flies on C-17 and airliner tests, but few results give error in meters

Magnetic, visual, celestial and borrowed-signal navigation have all flown. Buyers still get percentage gains over drifting inertial units instead of error figures they can specify.

ExplainerOct 7, 2026

Counter-UAS

Tower 22 inquiry, base incursions show counter-drone failures fall between sensors and shooters

Radars, jammers and interceptors are sold one at a time. Tower 22 and the homeland incursions show the failures sit between them.

ExplainerOct 6, 2026

Air

AI flies VENOM F-16 at Eglin with safety pilot aboard. What the test jets can prove

A fighter flown by software with a safety pilot aboard proves the test method works. Sensing, deciding and surviving alone need separate evidence.

ExplainerSep 30, 2026

Land

Army picks four firms to prototype robotic minefield breaching, with soldier tests in 2027

The Army picked four firms to prototype autonomous breaching. Ukraine’s 2023 failures show what a 2027 soldier assessment must prove before any production decision.

ExplainerSep 28, 2026