Todd South
Todd South served in the U.S. Marine Corps, deploying to Iraq during the Iraq War in 2003. He then attended the University of Georgia, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism. He later worked at the Red & Black, the Anniston Star, the Chattanooga Times Free Press, The Record and Military Times. Todd earned his MFA in nonfiction writing from Goucher College and was named a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2014 for local reporting.
Recent stories by Todd South
A Cyber Force With No Enlisted? Not So Fast, Some Experts Say
Calls for the creation of a dedicated cyber-focused military service are gaining traction among some cyber advocates and lawmakers. But a recent think tank report adds a twist to that push—calling for a so-called Cyber Force to have no enlisted personnel. It’s an idea some ...
Congress Wants Controls on How AI Is Used for Targeting and Planning
Concerned about how artificial intelligence might be used to generate target lists or operational plans, lawmakers want to expand limits on autonomous weapons to address mission planning and target selection. The House Armed Services Committee's version of the 2027 National Defense Authorization bill would direct ...
Lawmakers Eye Four-Star Command for Unmanned, Autonomous Systems
The Pentagon could have the option to create a new combatant command devoted to unmanned and autonomous systems if a provision in the Senate Armed Services Committee’s annual defense policy bill becomes law. The legislation is one of several moves lawmakers have proposed in recent ...
Soldier Turned Guardian to Lead Space Force Component in Korea
For the next leader of its component in Korea, the Space Force is turning to a colonel who has decades of experience in the Army, historically the leading service for all things U.S. military on the peninsula.
Military-Specific AI Tools Aim to Ease Admin Workload
GenAI.mil, the Pentagon’s main generative artificial intelligence platform, has more than 1 million users and access to some of the world’s biggest AI models like ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. But a handful of startups, including one founded by an Air Force veteran, say there’s room ...
Air Force Eyes Faster Software Updates for More Aircraft
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.
New Push for Separate ‘Cyber Force’ Builds, but Questions Remain
The idea to establish a new military service dedicated to cyber warfare reared its head again this week thanks to a proposal in Congress and a think tank report. But essential questions about how a so-called “Cyber Force” would be manned and work with the ...
Space Force Wants 5 New Tactical Ops Centers for Electronic Warfare
The Space Force wants to make its electronic warfare capabilities more resilient by building five new tactical EW centers, the need for which was underscored by recent Iranian attacks on USSF infrastructure and assets.
Lawmakers Push Back on Air Force’s Scaled-Down Plans for MH-139 Helicopter
The Air Force scaled back its plans for the new MH-139 helicopter two years ago. The House Armed Services Committee is pushing back in its draft of the National Defense Authorization bill released May 26.
New F-15E Depot Line Will Speed Up Installs of EW System
The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center has opened a “speedline” to accelerate installations of a new electronic warfare suite on board F-15E fighters, as the service looks to upgrade and expand its EW toolkit.
Space Force Awards $90 Million to Rocket Lab for Two GEO Satellites
Space Force has awarded a $90 million contract to Rocket Lab for satellites to host payloads that tracks objects in geosynchronous orbit.
New Report: Time Is Now to Start Work on Guardians in Space to Counter China
To counter Chinese ambitions, the U.S. Space Force must start work now to put Guardians in orbit and on the moon in the decades to come, according to a new paper from AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.
Meink: Long-Range Nuclear Cruise Missile ‘Going Well’ but Entering Critical Phase
Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told lawmakers May 20 that the program to build a new long-range nuclear cruise missile is performing “very well” in both cost and schedule—but will require support as it enters a critical phase.
Two Navy EA-18G Growlers Collide at Air Force Base Air Show
Two Navy EA-18G Growlers collided midair on May 17 during an air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. All four crew members ejected safely, and there were no fatalities.
Air Force Reservists Save 11 Plane Crash Survivors at Sea
Members of the Air Force Reserve’s 920th Rescue Wing helped save 11 airplane crash survivors off the coast of Florida on May 12. The Reserve Airmen were flying an HC-130J Combat King II and an HH-60W Jolly Green II on a routine training flight when ...