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_

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Trump administration announces ‘War Force’ effort

AI

Autonomous ground vehicles (Image courtesy of Overland AI)

Overland AI lands Pentagon contract to produce autonomous ground vehicles for Marine Corps

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U.S. Marines with Tactical Training and Exercise Control Group, Marine Corps Air Ground Task Force Training Command, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, and 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, observe Marines conducting a live fire platoon attacks at Range 410A as part of Integrated Training Exercise 3-26, MCAGCC, Twentynine Palms, California, June 11, 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Lainey Brummett)

Marine Corps mandates use of new digital app for SITREPs

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Defense Intelligence Agency headquarters (DIA photo)

DIA considering new AI-powered platform to streamline procurement system

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Staff Sgt. Shavon Scott, a Contracting Officer at the Contracting Support Section, 418th Contracting Support Brigade, Fort Hood, TX uses GenAI to streamline contract support. (Photo by Jose Rodriguez)

1.5M people use GenAI.mil, Pentagon CTO says

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U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 125th Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Battalion, 25th Infantry Division, prepare and launch an unmanned surface vessel, during Exercise Balikatan 2026, in La Paz Sand Dunes, Laoag City, Philippines, Apr. 29, 2026. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Omarion Hall)

SOCOM looking to mount new ELINT capabilities on maritime drones

Tech

An AH-64E Apache assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, prepares to land in a forward arming and refueling point in order to receive refuel before conducting operations for Operation Epic Fury in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, May 2, 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps photo)

Trump recounts how Army pilots involved in helicopter crash and drone boat rescue were ‘very lucky’

Tech

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

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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

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