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

Flight test of Zone 5 Technologies’ drone interceptor. (Image courtesy of Zone 5 Technologies)

Pentagon awards more funding to refine drone interceptor technology for Navy

Weapons

(Getty Images)

Pentagon contemplating eventual sunsetting of Link 16 as enthusiasm grows for optical communications

Space

A rendering of what someone using the new Project Overmatch capability known as Maven would look like. A unified tactical display that provides insight on vessels across the world, the Maven program overlays real-time ship readiness and sustainment data right at the user’s fingertips by utilizing artificial intelligence. It was created by Project Overmatch and Palantir in collaboration. (Image found on DVIDS as stock photo courtesy of Palantir)

Marine Corps names leadership for Project Dynamis amid push for new AI capabilities

AI

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Air Force cyber leader warns threats like Volt Typhoon could enable China to wage ‘total war’ against US

Cyber

The U.S. Capitol, pictured near the Pentagon building in Arlington, Virginia, on December 14, 2024. (Photo by Tom Brenner for The Washington Post via Getty Images) The U.S. Capitol, pictured near the Pentagon building in Arlington, Virginia, on December 14, 2024. (Photo by Tom Brenner for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Katherine Sutton confirmed as Pentagon cyber policy leader

Cyber

Screenshot of Kirsten Davies, President Donald Trump’s nominee for DOD CIO, testifying at her confirmation hearing with the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sept. 18, 2025.

Kirsten Davies, nominee for Pentagon CIO, advocates for ‘great change’ at the department

IT

Marines with Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command pose for photos in cyber operations room at Lasswell Hall aboard Fort Meade, Maryland, Feb. 5, 2020. (Photo illustration source: DVIDS)

DOD to look at potential consolidations across cyber enterprise

Cyber

US Capitol building is seen from Freedom Plaza on September 07, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Yasin Ozturk/Anadolu via Getty Images)

More than 100 cybersecurity experts urge senators to confirm Kirsten Davies as Pentagon CIO

Cyber

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif., (August 20, 2025) U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Eric M. Smith, left, the 39th Commandant of the Marine Corps, speaks with Capt. Alexander Beal, assigned to Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity (MCTSSA) Commanding Officer, during a visit to the MCTSSA compound on Aug. 20, 2025. Gen. Smith was briefed on MCTSSA’s pivotal role in Project Dynamis, primarily focused on testing, experimentation, and prototyping of CJADC2 (Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control) capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Joseph R. Vincent, CTR/Released)

Marine Corps releases new guidance on Maven Smart System rollout

AI