Articles tagged with "national-security"
Trump administration’s ban on foreign-made drones starts this week. You can say goodbye to new DJI models.
The Trump administration’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has implemented a ban on the distribution of all new foreign-made drone models in the U.S., effective from December 23, 2025. This move, justified by national security concerns, targets drones and their critical components produced abroad, citing risks posed by criminals, hostile foreign actors, and terrorists. While existing foreign-made drones already owned by Americans can still be used, the FCC has added these foreign drones to its “Covered List” of products deemed to pose unacceptable national security risks. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr endorsed the policy, emphasizing support for U.S. drone manufacturers and aiming to promote American dominance in the drone industry. The ban is expected to significantly impact companies like DJI, the leading global drone manufacturer based in China, which holds a dominant position in the U.S. consumer drone market. DJI expressed disappointment with the FCC’s decision, criticizing the lack of transparency regarding the evidence behind the ban and reaffirming its commitment to the U.S. market.
robotdrone-technologynational-securityFCC-regulationsforeign-made-dronesUASAmerican-drone-industryTrump admin halts 6 GW of offshore wind leases again
The Trump administration has again paused offshore wind leases for five major projects totaling nearly 6 gigawatts of generating capacity along the U.S. East Coast, citing national security concerns related to radar interference. Interior Secretary Doug Bergum referenced emerging risks from adversary technologies and vulnerabilities posed by large-scale offshore wind farms near population centers. The affected projects include Revolution Wind (Connecticut and Rhode Island), Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, Vineyard Wind (Massachusetts), and Empire Wind and Sunrise Wind (New York). The Department of the Interior based its decision on unclassified and classified Pentagon reports but did not specify the agencies involved or provide links to these documents. Radar interference from wind turbines is a known issue that has been studied for over a decade, with various mitigation strategies developed and implemented. Wind turbine blades create complex Doppler signatures that can challenge radar detection, but adaptive processing algorithms and careful wind farm siting have allowed radar systems to filter out these interferences effectively. A 2024 Energy Department report noted that while
energyoffshore-windwind-turbinesrenewable-energyradar-interferenceenergy-policynational-securityUS pauses offshore wind projects over radar interference concerns
The U.S. government has paused five major offshore wind projects along the East Coast due to national security concerns raised by the Pentagon, specifically regarding radar interference. The projects affected include Vineyard Wind (Massachusetts), Revolution Wind (Rhode Island and Connecticut), Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, and two New York projects—Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind. All five projects hold federal leases and are in various stages of construction. The Interior Department, working with the Defense Department and other agencies, will assess and seek to mitigate risks related to radar “clutter” caused by turbine blades and towers, which can obscure legitimate radar targets and generate false signals, potentially complicating coastal surveillance near densely populated areas. This pause follows ongoing legal battles over federal wind policy, including a recent court decision that struck down a broad executive order from the Trump administration aimed at halting wind development nationwide. Unlike the previous sweeping ban, the current action is more targeted, focusing on specific projects rather than an outright prohibition. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum
energyoffshore-windrenewable-energyradar-interferencenational-securitywind-projectsUS-energy-policyReport accuses China of using American nuclear research for weapons
A recent congressional report reveals that China has exploited partnerships with U.S. researchers funded by the Department of Energy (DOE) to access sensitive nuclear technology and advanced innovations, potentially enhancing its military and economic power. Investigators examined over 4,300 DOE-funded academic papers published between June 2023 and June 2025, finding that about half involved Chinese collaborators linked to the country’s military or defense industry, including state-owned labs and universities listed in a Pentagon database of Chinese military companies. Some partners were also associated with cyberattacks and human rights abuses. The report criticizes decades of DOE inaction and calls for stricter national security assessments and improved interagency information sharing to prevent taxpayer-funded research from aiding China’s defense efforts. In response, the Chinese Embassy in Washington dismissed the report as politically motivated, accusing U.S. politicians of obstructing normal scientific exchanges under the guise of national security. The DOE stated it would review the findings and maintain rigorous oversight of federally funded research. However, proposals
energynuclear-researchDepartment-of-Energymaterials-sciencenational-securitytechnology-transferdefense-researchIceland Warns Slower AMOC Is A Security Threat To The Nation - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica highlights Iceland’s recent declaration that the slowing or potential collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) poses a national security threat. The AMOC, often mistakenly equated solely with the Gulf Stream, is a critical ocean current system that transports warm tropical waters northward, significantly influencing the climate of Europe by keeping it relatively mild. A disruption or shutdown of the AMOC would lead to much colder temperatures in Europe, disrupt agriculture, freeze currently ice-free ports, and severely impact economies dependent on maritime trade. In response, Iceland has added the AMOC threat to its National Security Council agenda to better coordinate cross-ministerial responses involving food, energy, infrastructure, and transport. Scientific consensus is growing that the AMOC is at risk due to climate change effects, particularly melting Arctic ice and Greenland’s freshwater runoff. These changes threaten to destabilize the current, which plays a vital role in moderating Europe’s winters and global rainfall patterns. Experts
energyclimate-changeocean-currentsAMOCnational-securityenvironmental-impactrenewable-energyStoke Space’s $510M round shows the future of launch belongs to defense
Stoke Space’s recent $510 million Series D funding round, led by Thomas Tull’s U.S. Innovative Technology (USIT) fund, marks a significant shift in the space launch industry toward defense-focused investment and priorities. While earlier space startups targeted the commercial market—promising frequent launches for small satellites, broadband, and remote sensing—only SpaceX has consistently delivered affordable, reliable commercial launches at scale. Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and rising competition from China, have driven increased U.S. government spending on space defense initiatives, including the Pentagon’s multi-billion-dollar “Golden Dome” missile defense project and the Space Force’s National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program. These programs offer predictable, high-value contracts that are reshaping startup strategies and investor interests toward national security. Stoke Space’s funding and recent contract wins, including selection for the NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 program with potential contracts worth up to $5.6 billion, exempl
energyaerospacedefense-technologyspace-launchnational-securityspace-industrysatellite-technologyDJI loses lawsuit over classification as Chinese military company
A federal judge has ruled against DJI, the drone manufacturer, in its lawsuit challenging its designation as a Chinese military company by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman found that the DoD presented “substantial evidence” indicating DJI contributes to China’s defense industrial base. He emphasized that DJI’s technology has significant military applications, citing its use in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and noted that whether DJI’s policies prohibit military use is irrelevant to the classification. However, Judge Friedman dismissed some of the DoD’s other reasons for the listing. DJI had argued that it is not owned or controlled by the Chinese military and that it primarily produces consumer and commercial drones, not military ones. The company also claimed the designation caused financial and reputational harm. DJI is considering its legal options following the ruling and faces additional U.S. legal challenges, including a potential ban starting December unless a national security agency determines its drones do not pose an unacceptable security risk.
robotdronesdefense-technologymilitary-applicationsDJInational-securitydrone-regulationsUS deploys space sensors to track nuclear explosions frame by frame
The United States has completed deployment of its latest space-based nuclear detonation detection system, the IIIA series of the Global Burst Detection system, which is hosted on GPS satellites and has been monitoring nuclear explosions worldwide for over 60 years. These sensors detect electromagnetic pulses, X-rays, and optical flashes from nuclear detonations, enabling real-time determination of the explosion’s time, location, and yield. Developed jointly by Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory, the IIIA series underwent successful calibration and testing after its final launch in May 2025, marking a significant advancement in the US’s nuclear detection capabilities. Looking ahead, the US is preparing to field the next-generation IIIF series starting in 2027, featuring a new core instrument called the Spectral Imaging Geolocation Hyper-Temporal Sensor (SIGHTS). This advanced optical sensor can capture tens of thousands of frames per second at megapixel resolution, allowing for faster and more accurate identification of nuclear events while reducing false positives. The II
energysensorsnuclear-detectionspace-technologysatellite-systemselectromagnetic-pulsesnational-securityWeeds Of Protectionism: U.S. Bans On Connected-Car Tech & Their Global Consequences - CleanTechnica
The United States has announced a ban on connected vehicle technology originating from China and Russia, starting with software restrictions in the 2027 model year and extending to hardware by 2030. This regulation, issued by the Department of Commerce, targets connectivity systems and software enabling advanced driver assistance at SAE Level 3 and above, including cellular, Wi-Fi, satellite, and Bluetooth modules operating above 450 MHz. The ban excludes sensing technologies like LiDAR, radar, and cameras, as well as low-risk functions such as AM/FM radio and keyless entry systems using ultrawideband or frequencies below 450 MHz. The enforcement will be stringent, involving annual compliance declarations from automakers, detailed supplier records, import screening, and potential civil and criminal penalties reaching up to $1 million per violation. The regulation disproportionately impacts electric vehicles (EVs), which rely heavily on connected platforms for over-the-air updates, remote diagnostics, and advanced driver assistance, unlike many internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles that typically
IoTconnected-vehiclesautomotive-technologyvehicle-connectivitydriver-assistance-systemsnational-securitysoftware-regulationPlot Thickens Around Offshore Wind Stop-Work Order
The article discusses the unexpected stop-work order issued by the Trump administration on the Revolution Wind offshore wind project, which was already 80% complete. The order, issued by Matthew Giacona, Acting Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), cited vague national security concerns related to the protection of U.S. interests and prevention of interference with maritime zones. This move has raised questions because the project site was designated for offshore wind development by BOEM as far back as 2013, following extensive assessments of environmental, national security, and other competing interests. The sudden emergence of these concerns has sparked speculation about their true nature and timing. The article also highlights the political context, noting that the stop-work order targets projects in Democratic-governed states like Rhode Island and Connecticut, while a similar project in Virginia, which hosts the largest naval base in the world and is supported by a Republican governor, has not faced such scrutiny. This has led to suspicions of political motivations behind the decision
energyoffshore-windrenewable-energywind-farmenergy-infrastructurenational-securityclean-energyChina owns the drone industry. Now America needs to usurp it
The article discusses the growing dominance of China, particularly companies like DJI and Autel Robotics, in the global drone industry, with DJI controlling over 90% of the US consumer drone market and more than 70% globally. This concentration has raised significant national security concerns in the United States, prompting the Trump administration to issue executive orders aimed at reducing reliance on Chinese-made drones. These orders restrict federal agencies from using foreign adversaries' drones, accelerate risk assessments, and prioritize domestically built platforms. The US government’s scrutiny of Chinese drone firms has been ongoing since 2017, including bans, warnings about data sharing, and placing DJI on the Department of Commerce’s Entity List, culminating in a 2024 law mandating a national security review and potential sales bans. In response to these challenges, US startups like Corvus Robotics and Zepher Flight Labs are innovating by designing and manufacturing drones entirely in-house, avoiding imports and aiming for technological breakthroughs such as full-stack autonomy and hydrogen propulsion. Cor
dronesroboticsautonomyhydrogen-propulsionUS-manufacturingsupply-chainnational-securityUS funding freeze halts super laser breakthrough for missile defense
The U.S. development of an advanced ultrafast laser technology, intended to enhance missile defense capabilities, has been abruptly halted due to a funding freeze and a stop-work order. This cutting-edge laser system, which emits ultrashort pulses of light with immense power in fractions of a billionth of a second, held promise not only for defense applications such as countering heat-seeking missiles but also for civilian uses including greenhouse gas detection, brain imaging, and materials science research. The project, led by Cornell Engineering professors Jeffrey Moses and Frank Wise, had received over $1 million in funding since 2019 and was approaching critical experimental milestones earlier in 2025. The research team had developed a method to efficiently convert near-infrared laser light to the mid-infrared range, a frequency vital for defense purposes, with significantly higher efficiency than current technologies. However, the imposed stop-work order prevented the final experiments from proceeding, putting the program’s primary goals at risk and potentially redirecting the
energylaser-technologydefense-technologyultrafast-lasersmaterials-sciencenational-securityadvanced-researchTrump’s AI strategy trades guardrails for growth in race against China
The Trump administration released its AI Action Plan, marking a significant departure from the Biden administration’s more cautious stance on AI risks. The new strategy prioritizes rapid AI infrastructure development, deregulation, and national security to compete with China, emphasizing growth over guardrails. Key elements include expanding data centers—even on federal lands and during critical energy grid periods—while downplaying efforts to mitigate AI-related harms. The plan also proposes workforce upskilling and local partnerships to create jobs tied to AI infrastructure, positioning these investments as essential to a “new golden age of human flourishing.” Authored by Trump’s technology and AI experts, many from Silicon Valley, the plan reflects input from over 10,000 public comments but remains a broad blueprint rather than a detailed roadmap. It includes efforts to limit state-level AI regulations by threatening to withhold federal funding and empowering the FCC to challenge state rules that affect communications infrastructure. On the federal level, the administration seeks to identify and remove regulations that impede AI innovation. Dereg
energyAI-infrastructuredata-centersderegulationtechnology-policynational-securityinnovationUS urges UK to rethink Chinese turbine factory near North Sea projects
The UK government is currently reviewing the security implications of allowing Chinese manufacturer Mingyang Smart Energy to build a wind-turbine factory in Scotland, amid concerns raised by the United States. The Trump administration privately warned that turbines made by Mingyang could potentially contain electronic surveillance equipment, posing national security risks, especially given their proximity to sensitive military sites in the North Sea. Similar concerns have been communicated to Germany, where Mingyang is also involved in offshore wind projects. British intelligence agencies are contributing to a broader government assessment of China’s role in the UK’s energy infrastructure, with ministers debating whether to block the factory under the National Security and Investment Act. Supporters of the factory emphasize its potential to create jobs and advance the UK’s floating offshore wind ambitions, arguing that security risks can be managed through regulation. However, critics warn that reliance on Chinese technology could compromise sensitive defense operations, with some politicians highlighting the risk of espionage via sensors on turbines. The decision is complicated by geopolitical considerations: blocking Mingyang might
energywind-turbinesoffshore-windnational-securityChinaUK-energy-infrastructuresurveillance-concernsAnthropic suggests tweaks to proposed US AI chip export controls
AI-export-controlsAnthropicUS-governmentAI-chipsnational-securitytechnology-competitionChina