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

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall flies in the X-62 VISTA in the skies above Edwards Air Force Base, California, May 2, 2024. (Air Force photo by Richard Gonzales)

Air Force’s Kendall: AI agents had ‘roughly an even fight’ against human F-16 pilot in recent engagements

AI

William Chappell, Microsoft CTO for for strategic missions and technologies, speaks at an AI expo hosted by the Special Competitive Studies Project, May 7, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Jon Harper)

Microsoft deploys GPT-4 large language model for Pentagon use in top secret cloud

AI

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen H. Hicks is walks with Director of the Defense Innovation Unit Doug Beck during a visit to the Defense Innovation Unit, Mountain View, California, Dec. 12, 2023. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza)

Pentagon secures $500M for first tranche of Replicator systems

Weapons

MQ-9A (General Atomics image)

Marines pursuing AI for sensor autonomy on multi-mission tactical drones

AI

(Getty Images)

Army getting extra funding from multiple sources to accelerate LASSO kamikaze drone program

Weapons

Manta Ray vehicle being towed in preparation for testing. (Northrop Grumman photo)

DARPA tests undersea Manta Ray drone prototype, looks to transition tech to Navy

Weapons

(Getty Images)

AI, space, integrated sensing and cyber dominate Pentagon’s S&T funding plans

Emerging Tech

U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, use an FIM-92 Stinger and a Light Marine Air Defense Integrated System to defend against unmanned aerial systems threats during a strait transit exercise aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific Ocean, Jan. 12, 2024. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Helms)

New Marine Corps ‘fusion center’ to focus on counter-drone tech

Emerging Tech

Liz Young McNally (McKinsey photo)

DIU hires Liz Young McNally to lead commercial ops

Emerging Tech