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

The DF-17 hypersonic medium range conventional ballistic missile model was exhibited at the Hangzhou Innovation Research Institute of Beihang University in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China on May 10, 2026. (Photo credit: CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

MDA pursuing mobile radar to detect and track hypersonic missiles, other advanced threats

Tech

While developing Odyssey, NPS computer science student U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Kyle Hicks turned to AI to write most of the code powering the application. Hicks’ Odyssey exemplifies the broader applications of AI in the U.S. Department of War, supporting the day-to-day work of service members across the force, from writing awards to managing projects to analyzing data. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist Seaman Katherine Eldridge)

Marine Corps tees up hackathon featuring GenAI.mil

AI

A plane flies over The Pentagon (front) with the US Capitol (C, background) in Washington, DC, on January 11, 2024. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images)

Navy considers relocating robotic and autonomous systems staff amid broader portfolio restructuring

Tech

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