Author Archive
Tara Copp
Senior Pentagon Reporter, Defense One
Tara Copp is senior Pentagon correspondent for Defense One. Copp has reported through the Middle East, Asia and Europe to cover defense policy and its impact on the lives of service members. Her investigative reporting on military aviation accidents and on skyrocketing veteran cancer rates drove Congressional hearings and legislation. Before returning to journalism, she worked as a senior defense analyst at the U.S. Government Accountability Office, focused on readiness and military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. She is a Plan II graduate of the University of Texas and earned her masters in Security Studies at Georgetown University.
Emerging Tech
If War Comes to Space, Who Will Control US Spy Satellites?
U.S. intelligence and military are speeding new sensors to space. They are still working on details of who’s ultimately in charge during a conflict.
- By Tara Copp
Emerging Tech
Biden Picks Next Space Force Chief
If confirmed, the missileer and satellite operator would become the newest service’s second leader.
- By Tara Copp
People
Biden picks next Space Force chief
If confirmed, the missileer and satellite operator would become the newest service’s second leader.
- By Tara Copp
Emerging Tech
DIA Warns China’s Space Tech Seeks to Block U.S. Radars, Jam Munitions
Beijing’s rapid acquisition of counter-space capabilities is most worrisome, says a new 80-page Defense Intelligence Agency report.
- By Tara Copp
Emerging Tech
Space Force Gets Roughly 40% Increase in Biden Request
A constellation of satellites will track ground vehicles, improve launch trajectories, and better nuclear command-and-control.
- By Tara Copp
Emerging Tech
A Planned Mars Rover Is the Latest Victim of Russia’s War on Ukraine
The European Space Agency and Roscosmos have put their ExoMars mission on hold.
- By Tara Copp
Cybersecurity
Why Is Ukraine’s Internet Still Up? Perhaps Because the Invaders Need It
As well, eight years of effort to harden IT infrastructure may be paying off.
- By Tara Copp
Exclusive
Digital Government
Inside the Air Force Chief’s Mission for Racial Equity
“There's still a lot to do,’ said Gen. C.Q. Brown, ‘...we didn't get here overnight, we're not gonna get out of here overnight.”
- By Tara Copp
Emerging Tech
Military Pilots’ DNA May Hold Key to What’s Causing Their Prostate Cancers
Radars, magnetrons, and other toxic exposures may leave unique signatures on aviators’ cells, giving researchers the first evidence of cause.
- By Tara Copp
Policy
After 20 Years of Civilian Drone Strike Deaths, the Pentagon Creates An Office to Stop More
The military keeps repeating mistakes and is not ready for future fights because the lessons learned have not been instilled throughout the DOD, an independent review found.
- By Tara Copp
Emerging Tech
Will Space Force Protect Orbiting Gas Stations and Bases on the Moon?
As U.S. companies venture farther from Earth, whether the newest service will protect them remains under discussion.
- By Tara Copp
Featured eBooks
Emerging Tech
Army Creates Single Vaccine Against All COVID and SARS Variants, Researchers Say
Within weeks, Walter Reed researchers expect to announce that human trials show success against Omicron—and even future strains.
- By Tara Copp
Exclusive
People
Army Creates Single Vaccine Against All COVID & SARS Variants, Researchers Say
Within weeks, Walter Reed researchers expect to announce that human trials show success against Omicron—and even future strains.
- By Tara Copp
Modernization
Click ‘Like’, Get Punished Under Pentagon’s New Anti-Extremism Policy
First update since 2012 adds rules for social-media behavior.
- By Tara Copp
Digital Government
SecDef Warns Against Over-Hyping Recent Chinese Weapons Tests
The defense secretary also pushed for deeper ties between the Pentagon and technology firms.
- By Marcus Weisgerber and Tara Copp
Digital Government
Pentagon Outlines Role for New UFO Office
Defense leaders want to make sure they can spot and track “phenomena” trespassing over training ranges.
- By Tara Copp
Emerging Tech
Spacesuits and Lawsuits Put 2024 Moon Landing in Jeopardy
Two lunar-exploration spacesuits won’t be ready, a new report says, while bid protests have held up work on the lander.
- By Tara Copp
Digital Government
Wildfires Are So Dangerous Now that the National Guard Prepares for Them Like Hurricanes
For West Coast units, there’s no wildfire season anymore. ‘It’s really a fire year now,’ top general says.
- By Tara Copp
Digital Government
Biden Nominee for Pentagon’s Acquisition Chief Withdraws
Michael Brown to remain at DIU for now, Pentagon says.
- By Tara Copp
Emerging Tech
Another Free-Falling Chinese Rocket Body Hit Earth Last Week
China continues to burn all the fuel in its launches, allowing the used-up rockets to fall back to Earth uncontrolled.
- By Tara Copp