Jon Harper

Jon Harper is Managing Editor of DefenseScoop, the Scoop News Group’s online publication focused on the Pentagon and its pursuit of new capabilities. He leads an award-winning team of journalists in providing breaking news and in-depth analysis on military technology and the ways in which it is shaping how the Defense Department operates and modernizes. You can also follow him on X (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter) @Jon_Harper_

Articles by Author

DISA Hosting and Compute Center Director Sharon Woods at a press briefing on the Department of Defense’s award of the Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability (JWCC) contract at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Dec. 8, 2022. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexander Kubitza)

Longtime DOD IT executive and legal counselor Sharon Woods announces her departure

IT

(iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Air Force eyeing AI-powered platform for wargaming

AI

(DARPA photo)

DARPA christens USX-1 Defiant autonomous ship ahead of at-sea demonstrations

AI

U.S. Central Command’s (USCENTCOM) incoming commander, U.S. Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, left, and outgoing USCENTCOM outgoing commander, U.S. Army Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, right, seated during a change of command ceremony, 8 August 2025. Multiple Department of Defense officials attended the event as well as distinguished defense leaders from partner nations around the world. (U.S. Central Command Public Affairs photo by Tom Gagnier)

Adm. Cooper takes the helm at Centcom

Tech

AI chatbot concept rendering (Getty Images)

Army plans to use AI chatbots to help West Point recruit high school students

AI

(iStock/Getty Images)

Pentagon officials gearing up for JWCC Next enterprise cloud program solicitation

IT

Launched effects are expected to bring a critical capability to the Army with advanced teaming between crewed and uncrewed systems to detect, identify, locate, and report pacing threats in contested environments. (Photo by Shawn Nesaw)

Army issues solicitation for ‘launched effects’ autonomous drones

Weapons

(U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Barry Loo)

Special ops forces, intel community to team up on operational challenges in ‘data dense environments’

Tech

Charleen Laughlin, vice director for the Joint Staff J-6, speaks to a Marine about the joint light tactical vehicle during the Advanced Professional Executive Senior Executive Orientation Program at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Sept. 13, 2024. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jordan Searls)

Space Force gets new senior leader for cyber and data

Tech