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Jon Harper

Jon Harper is Managing Editor of DefenseScoop, the Scoop News Group’s online publication focused on the Pentagon and its pursuit of new capabilities. 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 (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter) @Jon_Harper_

Articles by Author

Emil Michael appears before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his nomination to become undersecretary of defense for research and engineering in Washington, D.C. March 27, 2025. (DoD photo by EJ Hersom)

Senate confirms former Uber executive as Pentagon’s chief technology officer

Emerging Tech

A U.S. Marine holds a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Information Innovation Office challenge coin after being presented the coin on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Dec 1, 2022. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christopher R. Lape)

Trump administration picks new DARPA director

Tech

U.S. Marines with Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to launch JaiaBot unmanned underwater vehicles during reconnaissance beach survey training as part of MEU Exercise at Kin Blue Beach Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, May 6, 2025. The Marines conducted the training to ensure dive proficiency and further enhance amphibious reconnaissance skills by utilizing drones to locate the optimal crossing point in the water enabling rapid and safe crossing. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Alora Finigan)

Marine Corps releases AI implementation plan

AI

Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to speak during an election night event at the Palm Beach Convention Center on November 06, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Trump nominates Kirsten Davies to be next DOD CIO

IT

An aerial view of the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., May 15, 2023. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexander Kubitza)

Pentagon moves to implement ‘Anything-as-a-Service’ pilot program

IT

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. David Whalen, assigned to the Marine Innovation Unit (MIU), Marine Forces Reserve, works on developing a “Flight Mode” software feature at the Marine Corps Software Factory (MCSWF) in Austin, Texas, 17 – 29 March, 2025. (U.S.Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Orion Stpierre)

Marine Corps could expand software factory, create new MOS

IT

U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Raider Training Center conducts underwater egress training during the Marine Raider Course on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, March 19, 2025. MRC, formally known as the Individual Training Course, is a 9-month long course designed to produce Marine Raiders who can operate across the spectrum of special operations in small teams. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Evan Jones)

Marine Raiders pursuing new tech for ‘rough and nasty’ fights in the Pacific

Emerging Tech

A U.S. Marine Corps MQ-9 Reaper drone assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One takes off for unmanned aerial system tactics training as part of Weapons and Tactics Instructor course 1-25 at Laguna Army Airfield, Arizona, Oct. 5, 2024. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Trent A. Henry)

Marine Corps to receive new smart sensor system for MQ-9 Reaper drones

AI

(Getty Images)

Reconciliation bill includes billions for new drone capabilities

Weapons