Jon Harper

Jon Harper is Editor-in-Chief of DefenseScoop. 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: @Jon_Harper_

Articles by Author

U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Jan. 26, 2026) A mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicle equipped with a mobile-low, slow, small-unmanned aircraft integrated defeat system (M-LIDS) launcher fires a counter-unmanned aerial system at a fixed wing target during a training exercise in Bahrain. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Iain Page)

Army seeks next-gen missile that could shoot down small drones for less than $150K a pop

Tech

Department of War Chief Information Officer Kirsten Davies delivers remarks at a CIO town hall at the Mark Center, Alexandria Va., Feb. 10, 2026. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza)

Pentagon CIO issues department-wide directive on IT category management

IT

Computer Operator V Lead Milan Rosenberg in the Range Systems Engineering Department of Naval Surface Warfare Center, Corona Division, operates a console at the range operations center in Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, Sept. 28, 2023. When operating a console, Rosenberg evaluates training and monitors for safety of operations on the Southwest Tactical Training Range. (U.S. Navy photo by Neil Mabini)

Navy using LETHALITY Consortium to advance network consolidation initiative

IT

U.S. Marines with Marine Forces Special Operations Command take part in a live fire training exercise at an undisclosed location, March 30, 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Frank Sepulveda Torres)

Marine commandos aim to automate armories with computer vision, other tech

AI

A Boeing Defence Australia’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat, a production representative test aircraft, performs a flyover during Exercise Valiant Shield 2026 over Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, June 25, 2026. (U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Adrien Tran)

After Valiant Shield exercise, PACAF commander says he’s ‘impressed’ with Australia’s Ghost Bat drone program

Weapons

Lt. Gen. Kevin D. Admiral, Commanding General of the III Armored Corps and Fort Hood, recognized, awarded and visited with Soldiers in the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade on Fort Hood Texas, Sept. 23, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Hayden Epperley)

Pentagon announces Trump nominee to lead U.S. Army Europe and Africa

Tech

President Donald Trump speaks with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth at the Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit at U.S. Army War College on July 15, 2026 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Trump authorizes use of AI for defense supply chain mapping

AI

Chief of Naval Research Dr. Rachel Riley delivers a workforce address during a U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) town hall meeting in Washington, D.C. Feb. 11, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo by Sarah Peterson) RELEASED

ONR launching ‘research by AI’ initiative as it looks to speed the delivery of cutting-edge tech to the fleet

AI

Spectators at Game of Drones observed small Unmanned Aircraft Systems testing and capabilities in various different situations during Game of Drones at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., July 16, 2026. GoD is a week-long event bringing together industry partners, military members, and engineers to conduct live experimentation of emerging sUAS and associated hardware. GoD amplifies the Department of War’s call upon both service and industry to rapidly accelerate testing, acquisition, and production of unmanned systems for the warfighter, referred to as Drone Dominance. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Christian Rodriguez)

Pentagon adds ‘bombers’ to Drone Dominance Program

Tech