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. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth arrives to testify before the House Armed Services Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building on April 29, 2026 in Washington, DC. Hegseth testified on the Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Hegseth: Autonomous warfare sub-unified command coming soon

AI

Sailors assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) participates in manning the rails as the ship prepares to arrive in Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Sept. 8, 2025. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amy Mullins)

Navy looking to expand AI-enabled pilot for talent management

AI

U.S. East coast-based Naval Special Warfare Operators (SEALs) conduct dive operations to increase maritime lethality during training off the coast of Key Largo, Florida, Feb. 18, 2025. Naval Special Warfare Group TWO produces, supports, and deploys the world’s most lethal maritime special operation forces to ensure the United States will deter and win wars. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Katie Cox)

SOCOM highlights 6 focus areas for naval capabilities modernization

Tech

ATLANTIC OCEAN (Dec, 6, 2024) – An IVER4 900 autonomous-underwater vehicle (AUV) is deployed during the Australia, United Kingdom and U.S. (AUKUS) Pillar II Subsea and Seabed Warfare Event Two/Integrated Battle Problem 25.1. During the event, U.S. Navy, Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy personnel launched, tested and provided demonstrations for several unmanned underwater vehicles, to include the Mission Specialist Defender Mark IV remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) and the IVER4 900 autonomous-underwater vehicle. (Image produced utilizing a screen capture from video.) (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Justin E. Yarborough)

DARPA shares ‘Deep Thoughts’ solicitation for autonomous underwater drones

Tech

A poster at the Pentagon, Dec. 12, 2025, lets employees know that a new artificial intelligence tool is available to use at the War Department, and that employees are highly encouraged to use it. (Credit: C. Todd Lopez, DOW)

Pentagon uses GenAI.mil to create 100K agents

AI

Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable John C. Phelan, stands during the national anthem at the commissioning ceremony of the Navy’s newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124) in Norfolk, Virginia, April 11, 2026. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Oliver McCain Vieira)

Hung Cao to take over as acting SECNAV after Phelan’s unexpected exit from Trump administration

Tech

NAVAL BASE SAN DIEGO (Feb. 5, 2024) The first four Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Crafts (GARCs) are delivered to Unmanned Surface Vessel Squadron 3 (USVRON 3). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kelby Sanders)

Navy PAE for robotic and autonomous systems preparing to release marketplace roadmap

Tech

(Navy rendering of Defiant battleship)

Navy planning to spend more than $17B on first Trump-class battleship

Emerging Tech

A U.S. Navy Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) maneuvers in the Atlantic Ocean during UNITAS 2025. (Official U.S. Navy photo)

Air Force eyeing robotic boats for Tyndall AFB

Tech