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

Arkansas Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 2 Robert Ellison, assigned to the 179th Cyber Protection Team, participates in the Capture the Flag event during Cyber Shield 2026 at the Professional Education Center in Little Rock, Ark., July 17, 2026. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Brooke Kentler/Released)

Latest Guard-led Cyber Shield exercise is focused on protecting the power sector, including OT

Cyber

U.S. Coast Guard Crew members assigned to Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC 1145) man their battle stations as the cutter prepares for a live-fire exercise while transiting the South China Sea, June 6, 2026. The Coast Guard Expeditionary Cutter Squadron is a deployable force of Fast Response Cutters with organic command, logistics and support capabilities, enabling sustained forward operations from partner nation locations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Dakota L. David)

Coast Guard issues RFI as it considers arming vessels with high-energy lasers

Weapons

A pilot assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing flies an AC-130J Ghostrider during a live fire training mission near Hurlburt Field, Florida, Dec. 12, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Samantha Rossi)

Air commandos seek ‘SOF-peculiar’ attack drones with automatic target recognition capabilities

Weapons

Screenshot from video released by Anduril depicting a missile shot from its YFQ-44A Collaborative Combat Aircraft.

Air Force reaches CCA milestone with live-firing of missile from Anduril’s robotic fighter jet

Weapons

(Getty Images)

Pentagon announces more than $500M in new procurements for APFIT program, including software

Tech

Corsair ASV (Image credit: Saronic)

U.S. military uses Corsair maritime drones to attack Iran

Weapons

Flags of Cuba and the United States fly outside the US Embassy along the Malecon in Havana on June 18, 2026. (Photo by Pablo PORCIUNCULA / AFP via Getty Images)

Pentagon disburses Havana Syndrome compensation, rebrands team focused on ‘Directed Energy Bio-Effects’

Tech

Tactical Resupply Vehicle-150s take flight during a Driving Innovation and Realistic Training event within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Alison Strout)

DARPA gearing up for heavy-lift drone competition

Tech

Laser stock photo (Getty Images)

Pentagon awards deals for laser weapons that could shoot down drone swarms

Emerging Tech