Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.

Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.

Contributing Editor, Breaking Defense

Sydney J. Freedberg Jr. has written for Breaking Defense since 2011 and served as deputy editor for the site's first decade, covering technology, strategy, and policy with a particular focus on the US Army. He’s now a contributing editor focused on cyber, robotics, AI, and other critical technologies and policies that will shape the future of warfare. Sydney began covering defense at National Journal magazine in 1997 and holds degrees from Harvard, Cambridge, and Georgetown.

Stories by Sydney J. Freedberg Jr.

‘They’re also learning’: Russia, Ukraine race to out-innovate each other

‘They’re also learning’: Russia, Ukraine race to out-innovate each other
‘They’re also learning’: Russia, Ukraine race to out-innovate each other

Tactics and technology advance so fast that a drone that’s cutting-edge today will be obsolescent in two months, Ukrainian and NATO officers say.

‘Let’s bring that margin back’: China, Russia too close for comfort in electronic warfare, say generals

‘Let’s bring that margin back’: China, Russia too close for comfort in electronic warfare, say generals
‘Let’s bring that margin back’: China, Russia too close for comfort in electronic warfare, say generals

“We still do hold a technological edge, but it’s a smaller edge than we used to have,” said Air Force Maj. Gen. David Snoddy. “We’re now focused on, let’s bring that margin back.”

‘Space can be the most resilient capability’: LEO sats vital for next war, says Marine info chief

‘Space can be the most resilient capability’: LEO sats vital for next war, says Marine info chief
‘Space can be the most resilient capability’: LEO sats vital for next war, says Marine info chief

Numerous, redundant satellites in low Earth orbit will link the new Marine Littoral Regiments to joint commanders, allowing them to serve as the eyes and ears of the joint force in the Pacific, said Lt. Gen. Matthew Glavy.

‘Off to the races’: DARPA, Harvard breakthrough brings quantum computing years closer

‘Off to the races’: DARPA, Harvard breakthrough brings quantum computing years closer
‘Off to the races’: DARPA, Harvard breakthrough brings quantum computing years closer

Quantum bits are potentially powerful but notoriously error-prone. Now a Harvard team says it has found a way to prevent mistakes — by manipulating individual atoms with laser beams — making quantum processing much more efficient.

CCA loyal wingman could lose ‘a year’ of progress due to Congressional budget logjam: Kendall

CCA loyal wingman could lose ‘a year’ of progress due to Congressional budget logjam: Kendall
CCA loyal wingman could lose ‘a year’ of progress due to Congressional budget logjam: Kendall

Progress on CCA, the AI-piloted “loyal wingman,” and JADC2 command networks will stall if Congress cannot pass funding for fiscal 2024, the Air Force Secretary warned – while China races ahead.

‘Central to everything we do’: Army unveils first-ever doctrine for ‘information’

‘Central to everything we do’: Army unveils first-ever doctrine for ‘information’
‘Central to everything we do’: Army unveils first-ever doctrine for ‘information’

“We no longer regard information as a separate consideration or the sole purview of technical specialists,” the new ADP 3-13 says. “Instead, we view information as a resource that is integrated into operations” — from cyberwar to psyops, reconnaissance to deterrence, social media to camouflage.

AI For Five Eyes? New bill pushes AI collaboration with UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand

AI For Five Eyes? New bill pushes AI collaboration with UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand
AI For Five Eyes? New bill pushes AI collaboration with UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand

“If we want to fight as a system… you have to start sharing technology now,” the former head of the Pentagon’s Joint AI Center told Breaking Defense. “We can’t build the system on the eve of battle.”

Biden launches AI ‘risk and safety’ talks with China. Is nuclear C2 a likely focus?

Biden launches AI ‘risk and safety’ talks with China. Is nuclear C2 a likely focus?
Biden launches AI ‘risk and safety’ talks with China. Is nuclear C2 a likely focus?

Details are scant for now, but experts tell Breaking Defense that any AI agreement between China and the US could involve a pledge not to use AI in nuclear systems.

Army lab pushes standardized batteries for frontline soldiers: STUB and OSCAR

Army lab pushes standardized batteries for frontline soldiers: STUB and OSCAR
Army lab pushes standardized batteries for frontline soldiers: STUB and OSCAR

Soldiers burdened by 15-plus pounds of batteries — of multiple, incompatible types — could benefit from more efficient, standardized power sources like the Small Tactical Universal Battery.

AI ethics: Pentagon about to roll out public web app to guide ‘responsible’ development

AI ethics: Pentagon about to roll out public web app to guide ‘responsible’ development
AI ethics: Pentagon about to roll out public web app to guide ‘responsible’ development

While designed for military program managers, the app will be also available to the public so that industry, allies and ordinary citizens can understand how the Pentagon is implementing “responsible AI” – and how China is not.

‘No more sticky notes’: Army consolidating 43 incompatible data systems to just 2

‘No more sticky notes’: Army consolidating 43 incompatible data systems to just 2
‘No more sticky notes’: Army consolidating 43 incompatible data systems to just 2

BigBear.ai is on contract to combine 15 readiness data systems into a new cloud-based system called Global Force Integrated Management, while LMI leads on consolidating 28 more into the Army Training Integrated System.

Army National Guard aims for 50,000 BYO-Device users as Hypori updates app

Army National Guard aims for 50,000 BYO-Device users as Hypori updates app
Army National Guard aims for 50,000 BYO-Device users as Hypori updates app

The Air National Guard, regular Army, and Space Force are also exploring Hypori’s “zero trust” Bring Your Own Device approach to connect personal phones securely to government systems.

Gen Z gamers help Army race towards robotic future force

Gen Z gamers help Army race towards robotic future force
Gen Z gamers help Army race towards robotic future force

With the Robotic Combat Vehicle Light set to enter service in 2028, young soldiers are providing vital feedback on prototypes, tactics and user-friendly interfaces.

Starlink, skis and frozen batteries: Army seeks ‘bespoke’ kit for Arctic warfare

Starlink, skis and frozen batteries: Army seeks ‘bespoke’ kit for Arctic warfare
Starlink, skis and frozen batteries: Army seeks ‘bespoke’ kit for Arctic warfare

“If you sweat, you die,” said Maj. Gen. Brian Eifler, commander of the Alaska-based 11th Airborne Division. “That’s the environment we’re talking about… the harshest environment on the planet.”

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