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

Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii — Marines from the 3d Littoral Logistics Battalion, or LLB, engage in a Foreign Comparative Test, or FCT, of a South Korean Unmanned Ground Vehicle, or UGV, prototype. (Marine Corps Systems Command photo)

Navy solicits industry for unmanned ground vehicle architecture

Tech

U.S. Army Spc. Anton Lane, a combat medic with specialized drone training, assigned to 5-7 Cavalry, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division visually tracks a Skydio X10E4TT drone shortly after deploying it for surveillance during exercise Combined Resolve 25-2 at Hohenfels Training Area, Hohenfels, Germany on May 17, 2025. (US Army photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Fist Class Richard Hoppe, Released).

Army considers buying thousands of portable small drone detectors — including for Taiwan

Weapons

The unmanned surface vessel (USV) Ranger from Unmanned Surface Vessel Division One (USVDIV-1) returns to its homeport, Naval Base Ventura County, in Port Hueneme, California, concluding Integrated Battle Problem (IBP) 23.2, Jan. 15, 2024. (U.S. Navy photo by Electronics Technician 2nd Class Gavin McKenna)

Navy to brief industry on plans for new robotic ship program

Tech

Then U.S. Air Force Maj. Michael Jensen, 26th Special Tactics Squadron commander smiles after assuming command of the squadron in 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Eboni Reece)

Trump withdraws nomination of Air Force veteran to oversee special operations forces

Tech

The U.S. Capitol building at dusk as vehicles travel on Pennsylvania Avenue on November 05, 2023 in Washington DC. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)

Lawmakers introduce bipartisan bill to promote competition in DOD cloud and AI procurement

AI

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