💣 War drones need specially trained operators: Well, they did. The U.S. Marine Corps is testing a new AI-powered strike drone. Select any target, and Bolt-M follows autonomously, even if it loses connection. To attack, choose the direction, angle and height, and it does the rest. Just … wow.
Introducing: Bolt & Bolt-M
Use the NewsBreak app? Delete it
The most downloaded news app in the U.S. likely has ties to the Chinese military and was just caught using AI to fabricate stories. Here’s the scoop.
Oops, they did it again: First, Communist China copied the U.S. military’s F-35 jets using stolen drawings and secrets. Now, their military is ripping off our robot dogs, too. China’s “robo wolves” follow commands, like “sit,” “stand” and “move,” and they can do other tricks, like running, carrying supplies and firing rifles. Who needs spy movies when our military secrets are practically doing press tours?
3 billion-plus
Phone coordinates collected and sold by data brokers. The kicker? They expose U.S. military and intelligence workers, including people who work in places like nuclear weapons facilities. Anything for a buck.
Robo-dog built to defend against drones
The U.S. military is developing a gun-wielding robot dog to protect our forces from aerial drones. The doggo is equipped with an AR-15-type rifle, electro-optical targeting system, infrared/thermal vision and a laser aiming device.
15 years in prison
For a 21-year-old airman who leaked classified info. Jack Teixeira shared top-secret documents on a Discord server to show his online comrades what war was really like. Now he’ll know what war and prison are like.
Ever wonder what happens to the massive amounts of U.S. military data stolen by Communist China’s spies? Its newest jet fighter aircraft (bottom pic) is a nearly identical design to America’s new F-35 stealth fighter (top pic).
It took the U.S. over 20 years and $2 trillion to produce theirs; China duplicated it in less than five years, using hundreds of terabytes of stolen U.S. military secrets.
Not now, Putin, I’m busy: North Korean soldiers deployed in Russia are taking full advantage of unrestricted internet access by … binge-watching p*rn. The internet isn’t available to most citizens in North Korea, so this is the first time the soldiers can see all the web has to offer.
🎮 Wargaming with the pros: This is interesting. Militaries around the world are playing a video wargame called Command: Professional Edition to simulate battlefield scenarios. It lets them test strategies and explore hypotheticals like nuclear warfare (paywall link). The kicker? It was originally made for gamers; its creators had no military background.
Tech troops incoming: The Defense Department wants to bring top tech experts into the military as part-time officers. These high-ranking reservists will help with short-term projects in cybersecurity, data analytics and more (paywall link). The plan is to start with dozens and eventually expand to thousands over the next few years. This is a great idea!
17 days
A dozen drones flew over secure U.S. military locations. They zoomed over Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, moved over the home base of the Navy’s SEAL Team Six and, finally, surveyed the world’s largest naval port (paywall link). U.S. officials don’t know where they came from or how to stop them. Ahem, China? These yours?
🤖 Tough decisions: Should AI weapons be fully autonomous and allowed to make deadly decisions? The big fear is that enemy states like China may go all in on AI weapons first, while the U.S. still needs someone to press a button each time to fire. FYI: While the U.S. military doesn’t buy fully autonomous weapons yet, companies here aren’t banned from making or selling them.
Control freak: The U.S. military is using video game-style controllers to operate some of its most advanced systems, including anti-ship missiles, laser weapons and unmanned vehicles. It turns out many young soldiers are pros at using them after growing up playing on PlayStation and Xbox consoles. Plus, tactile feedback beats touchscreens, delivering better precision in high-stakes situations. Smart!
No woofin’ around: The U.S. Army is testing robot dogs armed with AI-enabled gun turrets in the Middle East. The robo-pups pack some serious heat, like a rotating AR-15/M16-pattern rifle and an electro-optical targeting system. They’re way cheaper than using missiles to take down drones. FYI, China showed off its own four-legged war dog in May.
Drone on: U.S. officials have a bright idea to defend military bases from drone attacks — defensive drones. This comes after months of deadly drone strikes on U.S. bases in the Middle East by Iran-linked groups. For now, U.S. troops will need to rely on electronic jamming and anti-aircraft guns; defensive drones could take another two years to roll out.
A round of a-paws: The U.S. military is developing a gun-wielding robot dog to protect our forces from aerial drones. The doggo is equipped with an AR-15-type rifle, an electro-optical targeting system, infrared/thermal vision and a laser aiming device. Wow, I hope these don’t get hacked.
AI arms race: By 2030, the U.S. Air Force plans to have 1,000 “robot wingmen” in the sky, flying alongside human-operated jets. It’s risky if things go wrong, but you can bet enemy nations are brewing their own AI military plans, too.
3 days in flight
For the ULTRA Air Force drone. Short for Unmanned Long-endurance Tactical Reconnaissance Aircraft, the ULTRA has an 80-foot wingspan, can carry hundreds of pounds and fly twice as long as similar military drones. The Air Force will spend $35 million in 2025 to build four more. The age of drone surveillance is just beginning.
Not exactly K-pop going viral: “Friendly Father” is a North Korean propaganda tune praising dictator Kim Jong Un. The video features, uh, heartwarming scenes, like a military officer crying in Kim’s arms while children sing along. Gen Zers are dancing to Communist remixes for views and likes, but not everyone gets it. Here’s the full vid.
How to find lost military records and medals
Military awards are more than symbols; they carry the weight of history and personal sacrifice. But over time, they can get lost, stolen, or wear out. Here’s how to get replacements.