Author Archives: Spencer Ackerman

Video: Stealth Cruise Missile Hunts Ship

Spoiler alert for the video above: You do not want to get into the path of the Naval Strike Missile. But since it’s a stealth cruise missile, you might not ever know you’re in its sights.
One day, the Pentagon hopes, its fleet of F-35 jets will s… Continue reading

Posted in Ammo and Munitions, f-35, JSF, Konigsberg, Naval Strike Missile, Weapons and Ammo | Comments Off

Bored UCLA Student Joins Libyan Rebels

Bummed out by the end of summer vacation? Want to take the awesomest road trip evar? Not really bothered by the idea of conflict tourism or turning someone else’s struggle for freedom into your bar-stool anecdote?
Dude: you need to join the Libyan r… Continue reading

Posted in Chris Jeon, Libya, Mideast Madness, Moammar Gadhafi, Rogue States | Comments Off

Weird, Birdlike Mystery Drone Crashes in Pakistan

It looks a bit like silver bird. It probably was used to spy on insurgents. And now it’s in the hands of the Pakistanis.
WIRED editor-in-chief Chris Anderson flags pictures of an unusual, unfamiliar drone that reportedly crashed crashed over southwe… Continue reading

Posted in Chris Anderson, Drones, Perils of Pakistan, SmartBird | Comments Off

There’s a Secret Patriot Act, Senator Says

You think you understand how the Patriot Act allows the government to spy on its citizens. Sen. Ron Wyden says it’s worse than you know.
Congress is set to reauthorize three controversial provisions of the surveillance law as early as Thursday. Wyde… Continue reading

Posted in Cops and Robbers, Crime and Homeland Security, FBI, Homeland Security, Justice Department, Patriot Act, Ron Wyden, Shhh!!! | Comments Off

Coder for CIA: Drone Targeting Software ‘Far From Ready’

Still wondering if Facebook is a ripoff of ConnectU? That’s nothing. Software firms that developed the targeting systems of the CIA’s terrorist-killing Predator drones are locked in their own intellectual property battle. Their court case has at l… Continue reading

Posted in CIA, Drones, Extended SQL Toolkit, Geospatial Toolkit, Intelligent Integration Systems, Leon Panetta, Netezza, Perils of Pakistan | Comments Off

Iran Unveils Its New Spying Flying Boat

Iran’s mullahs may not get their advanced Russian anti-aircraft missiles. But they’re boasting about a souped-up capability to use against anyone who’d challenge them in the Persian Gulf: Flying boats. Yes, again.
Iranian state TV broadcast thes… Continue reading

Posted in flying boat, Iran, Mullah Menace, Rogue States | Comments Off