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

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 27th Special Operations Wing prepare a small unmanned aerial system for takeoff during an Adaptive Airborne Enterprise Exercise Talon Spear at Melrose Air Force Range, N.M. June 21, 2023. The goal of Exercise Talon Spear is to integrate small unmanned aerial systems for the rapid mobility capability for agile combat employment. (U.S. Air Force photo Senior Airman Alexcia Givens)

SOCOM awards Anduril $86M contract for autonomy software integration

Emerging Tech

An aerial view of the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., May 15, 2023. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexander Kubitza)

Trump taps ‘The DoddFather’ to oversee critical technologies at the Pentagon

Emerging Tech

U.S. President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of the U.S. Navy John Phelan arrives to a Senate Armed Services confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill on February 27, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Senate confirms Trump’s pick to lead Navy and Marine Corps

Tech

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