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

A graphical artist rendering of the F-47. (U.S. Air Force graphic)

Pentagon’s 2026 budget plan includes more than $4B for next-generation Air Force fighter jets

Weapons

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 picks new combatant commanders

Tech

Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks at the AI+Expo in Washington, DC, June 4, 2025. (Photo by Jon Harper)

At AI conference, Gen. Caine calls for connecting with ‘founders and funders’ of emerging tech

Emerging Tech

Derrick Anderson, GOP candidate for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District speaks to supporters election night in Fredericksburg, Virginia on November 5, 2024. (Photo by Maxwell Posner for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Trump nominates former congressional candidate, Green Beret to oversee special operations forces

Tech

Michael P. Duffey appears before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his nomination to become undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment in Washington, D.C. March 27, 2025. (DoD photo by EJ Hersom)

Senate confirms Michael Duffey, Trump’s pick for Pentagon acquisition chief

Tech

The Secretary of the Navy, the Hon. John C. Phelan, is piped aboard the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), April 10, 2025. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Alexander Casco)

Navy gearing up for more DOGE-related cuts

IT

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the Multi-Domain Effects Battalion, 2nd Multi-Domain Task Force, retrieve an Unmanned Surface Vessel (USVs) from the water during Arcane Thunder 25, 16 May, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jennifer Posy)

Army weaves robo-boats, drones, balloons and C2 tech into multi-continent Arcane Thunder exercise

Weapons

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth welcomes Elon Musk as a visitor to the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., March 21, 2025. (DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Madelyn Keech)

As Elon Musk exits government, Hegseth gives DOGE team more influence on Pentagon contracting

Tech

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivers remarks during an 82nd Airborne Division Review at Fort Bragg, N.C., May 22, 2025. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza)

Hegseth orders restrictions on DOD contracting for IT consulting and management services

IT