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

An aerial view of the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., May 15, 2023. (DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. John Wright)

DOD lists more positions exempt from civilian hiring freeze

Tech

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth arrives at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Feb. 25, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. ShaTyra Cox)

Hegseth issues new guidance on DOD civilian hiring freeze

Tech

The US Capitol is seen in Washington DC, on November 10, 2024. (Photo by Daniel SLIM / AFP)

Congress sets Pentagon research, development, test and evaluation spending at $141B

Emerging Tech

Stephen Feinberg, U.S. President Donald Trump’s nominee to be Deputy Secretary of Defense, testifies during his Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on February 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Stephen Feinberg wins Senate confirmation as Trump’s deputy defense secretary

Tech

Anduril’s Long Range Sentry Tower (Anduril image)

Marines to lean on Anduril tech to protect bases from drones

Tech

U.S. President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol on March 04, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Trump, pushing for new military leader, submits nomination of Dan ‘Razin’ Caine to the Senate

Tech

Army 2nd Cavalry Regiment — The 2nd Cavalry Regiment used its on-the-move Tactical Network Transport during a live-fire exercise at Rose Barracks, Germany. (DOD photo / 1st Lt. Ellen C. Brabo, 2nd Cavalry Regiment)

Army unified network plan 2.0 prioritizes zero trust

IT

An aerial view of the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., May 15, 2023. (DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. John Wright)

Trump nominates Anduril executive, former special operations officer to be Army undersecretary

Tech

A U.S. Air Force Special Tactics operator with the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida, programs a surveillance drone to provide security at Eglin Range, Florida, Dec. 6, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by SrA Christopher H. Stolze)

SOCOM searching for reconfigurable ‘drone-in-a-box’ systems that can fly and drive

Emerging Tech