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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

A U.S. Soldier acting as an opposing force, or OPFOR, demonstrates drone capabilities during Exercise Deep Strike at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, April 25, 2026. Deep Strike integrates cutting-edge technologies, such as advanced unmanned systems, to ensure SOF maintains an operations advantage in contested environments. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Nelson)

SOCOM seeks ‘self-service’ synthetic data generation platform to boost drones’ computer vision

AI
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivers remarks to L3Harris employees as part of his Arsenal of Freedom Tour, Camden, Ark., Feb. 27, 2026. (DoW photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza)

Hegseth launches ‘patriot pipeline’ portal

IT
From left to right: Jon Harper, editor-in-chief of DefenseScoop; Brent Ingraham, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology; Robert Mantz, senior official for the contested logistics technologies Critical Technology Area at the Defense Department; and Shannon Judd, global director for global defense partners and mission system integrators at AWS, participate in a panel at GDIT’s Emerge: Battlespace of the Future conference, June 2, 2026. (Photo by Isaac Latimer with EPNAC)

Pentagon looks to AI, other tech to help tackle contested logistics challenges

AI
ATLANTIC OCEAN (Dec, 6, 2024) – A Mission Specialist Defender Mark IV remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) transits the Atlantic Ocean submerged 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. The AUKUS Advanced Capabilities line of effort – known as Pillar II – is a seminal strategic partnership and technology accelerator for the three AUKUS nations to harness and uplift innovation enterprises and industrial bases, remove barriers to cooperation, and deliver advanced capabilities for AUKUS warfighters. (Image produced utilizing a screen capture from video.) (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Justin E. Yarborough)

AUKUS allies launch new undersea drone project

Emerging Tech
A Soldier with 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces Regiment, Mississippi Army National Guard, checks communications while conducting boat infiltration training during Southern Strike 2024 (SSTK), at NASA Stennis Space Center, Mississippi, April 17, 2024. SSTK is a large-scale, joint multinational combat exercise that allows soldiers across the United States and our international partners access to exceptional training. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Benjamin Tomlinson)

SOCOM seeks autonomous warfare proving ground

Tech
U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 2nd Platoon, 2d Cavalry Regiment, operate a new drone detection and jamming system during a validation exercise at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, April 15, 2026. The validation exercise assessed the system’s ability to identify, jam, and counter unmanned aerial systems. Results will help determine the equipment’s readiness for integration during exercise Fly Trap 5.0 in May 2026. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. Joseph Honce)

Army flexes additive manufacturing capabilities during Flytrap counter-drone exercise

Tech
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