This report assesses the types of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) platforms marketed in the United States and the finances of U.S.-headquartered UAV companies. It finds that most companies develop small UAVs, and only a handful develop more complex military systems. The report also finds that most drone manufacturers are privately held, venture-backed companies, many of which were founded after 2010, and investment activity is concentrated around firms that produce smaller UAVs.

Data Snapshots are informative descriptions and quick analyses that dig into CSET’s unique data resources. This data interactive maps each of the over 34,000 pieces of space debris the United States government has tracked since 1958, bringing Earth’s crowded orbits to life. It shows how seven decades of launches, collisions, and anti-satellite tests—and just a few catastrophic events by a handful of countries—have created most of today’s debris, potentially endangering the $1.8 trillion global space economy that depends on unfettered access to orbits.

Recent U.S.-Gulf AI partnerships represent billions of dollars in strategic technology deals, but they raise critical questions about governance, oversight, and long-term influence. This analysis examines four major AI initiatives with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, discussing critical issues including fragmented oversight, technology diversion, and AI sovereignty. It proposes a framework to transform ad hoc dealmaking into principled, transparent, and rule-bound AI statecraft that advances U.S. interests, strengthens technology relationships with allies and partners, and establishes durable governance mechanisms for U.S. AI deployments abroad.

China’s efforts to develop AI-related military capabilities have garnered significant interest in the United States. Drawing on 2,857 AI-related defense contract award notices published between January 2023 and December 2024, this report finds that while China’s legacy defense sector players lead AI-related military procurement, an emerging set of nontraditional vendors and research institutions appears to play a consequential role as well.

This report examines how U.S. leadership in remote sensing, launch, and advanced space technologies has shaped the global space economy and what it will take to sustain that edge. Drawing on CSET’s prior research, the paper explores the role of public investment and technology, the risks of market consolidation, and policy steps to foster innovation, resilience, and national security in an increasingly contested and commercialized space domain.

This report examines how 17 leading U.S. technology companies are economically and operationally entangled with Taiwan. By mapping investments, R&D efforts, data centers, and supply chains, it sheds light on how these ties could influence corporate behavior in a future conflict with China, and what risks and incentives may shape tech companies’ decisions in a Taiwan contingency.

System-to-model innovation is an emerging innovation pathway in artificial intelligence that has driven progress in several prominent areas over the last decade. System-level innovations advance with the diffusion of AI and expand the base of contributors to leading-edge progress in the field. Countries that can identify and harness system-level innovations faster and more comprehensively will gain crucial economic and military advantages over competitors. This paper analyzes the benefits of system-to-model innovation and suggests a three-part framework to navigate the policy implications: protect, diffuse, and anticipate.

The accelerating commercialization of satellites and launch technologies means space is now more congested, contested, and operationally limited than ever. This drives an imperative to leverage emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence to observe, orient, protect, and if needed, for defense. This report surveys the technology landscape to understand how AI can be applied to space domain awareness and orbital warfare.

The U.S. Air Force is attempting to adopt artificial intelligence, but efforts have struggled to gain institutional traction. This report draws on lessons from past military innovations and current AI challenges to offer practical, people-centric recommendations. By embedding engineers, empowering leaders, and retaining talent, the Air Force can take charge of (honcho) AI adoption to achieve a military advantage.

The United States is home to a growing set of companies building advanced space technologies, from lunar landers to satellite servicing systems. These firms are taking on missions once led by government and developing capabilities the government does not yet field. But limited profitability, export restrictions, and free government services may constrain growth unless targeted investments and smart policies help sustain a dynamic, secure commercial space sector. This report explores the U.S. advanced space technologies industry and highlights challenges and opportunities the state of the industry presents for national security.