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

(DARPA photo)

DARPA christens USX-1 Defiant autonomous ship ahead of at-sea demonstrations

AI

U.S. Central Command’s (USCENTCOM) incoming commander, U.S. Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, left, and outgoing USCENTCOM outgoing commander, U.S. Army Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, right, seated during a change of command ceremony, 8 August 2025. Multiple Department of Defense officials attended the event as well as distinguished defense leaders from partner nations around the world. (U.S. Central Command Public Affairs photo by Tom Gagnier)

Adm. Cooper takes the helm at Centcom

Tech

AI chatbot concept rendering (Getty Images)

Army plans to use AI chatbots to help West Point recruit high school students

AI

(iStock/Getty Images)

Pentagon officials gearing up for JWCC Next enterprise cloud program solicitation

IT

Launched effects are expected to bring a critical capability to the Army with advanced teaming between crewed and uncrewed systems to detect, identify, locate, and report pacing threats in contested environments. (Photo by Shawn Nesaw)

Army issues solicitation for ‘launched effects’ autonomous drones

Weapons

(U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Barry Loo)

Special ops forces, intel community to team up on operational challenges in ‘data dense environments’

Tech

Charleen Laughlin, vice director for the Joint Staff J-6, speaks to a Marine about the joint light tactical vehicle during the Advanced Professional Executive Senior Executive Orientation Program at Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Sept. 13, 2024. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jordan Searls)

Space Force gets new senior leader for cyber and data

Tech

Colonel Isagani Criste, commander of the Philippine army’s First Scout Ranger Regiment, presents a gift to Vice Adm. Frank Bradley, Joint Special Operations Command commanding officer, during a key leader engagement in the Philippines, July 9, 2023. (Courtesy photo from DVIDS)

SOCOM getting new commander after Frank Bradley earns Senate confirmation

Tech

Adm. Daryl Caudle utilizes the 1MC announcement system from the bridge of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87) to address the crew during a ship visit, Aug. 13, 2024. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nathan T. Beard)

Senate confirms Adm. Daryl Caudle as chief of naval operations

Tech