Kelsey D. Atherton

Kelsey Atherton blogs about military technology for C4ISRNET, Fifth Domain, Defense News, and Military Times. He previously wrote for Popular Science, and also created, solicited, and edited content for a group blog on political science fiction and international security.

All Stories By Kelsey

As the military fights gun battles in caves, a look at the robots in development for the future of cave warfare.

Robots will make cave war safer for the humans doing the attacking in the future, but that is still at least a decade away.

2 years ago

Scorpion and Vector offer fixed wings, rotors, and flexibility

New drone pair brings a 'why not both?' sensibility to design.

2 years ago

The trouble when military robots go underground

DARPA wants to help spur innovation for robots in tunnels. During an exercise in Washington last month, most robots were not particularly battle-ready, though a few could likely work in a pinch.

A company that recieved DARPA funding in 2018 is working on a COVID-19 treatment.

DARPA-funded research into pandemic response may lead to a COVID-19 treatment.

Why has AI remained cutting edge and imminent for decades?

Lessons for the future of AI from a document about future AI published in 1980

AFWERX awards contract for automated data entry assistance

Business workflow automation is a way to tackle dull work with modern tools.

Arctic Edge 20 included counter-drone activity

Making sure water weapons still work is a vital task for arctic training.

Rolling robot returns to reconnaissance market with the cloud

Dronemaker partners with rolling robot for new scout offering.

Coordinated drone strike hit objectives despite defenses.

A coordinated drone strike, despite the lose of multiple UAVs, managed to hit a military convoy and a base.

Swiss Army selects Parrot for small drone contract

Parrot's pivot to defense and industrial markets might lead to a versatile military small drone at near-commercial prices.

Soft robotic tentacles could add new capabilities to future battlefield robots.

Coiling tentacles with vacuum-powered grippers could handle objects on the battlefields of the future.

A look at hazards in space, from the Tomorrow Wars newsletter

In the latest issue of the Tomorrow Wars newsletter, a look at understanding risk in space, and the process of converting that mathematical debate into plain language.

Scanning for fraudulent chips and a Russian chopper deal falls through | Defense Dollars

How much can I contribute to my IRA? — Money Minute

Best of Modern Day Marine | Defense News Weekly Full Episode, 5.16.22

Roundup: Modern Day Marine 2022

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Hybrid power could keep the Little Bird helo flying

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