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

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DOD civilians could soon see more opportunities for cash awards, other performance incentives

Tech

SUITLAND, Md. (Jun. 4, 2025) — Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare (N2N6) Vice Adm. Karl Thomas delivers remarks during the Office of Naval Intelligence commemoration ceremony of the Battle of Midway. ONI is the leading provider of maritime intelligence to the U.S. Navy and joint warfighting forces, as well as national decision makers and other consumers in the Intelligence Community. (U.S. Navy photo by Chris McGinity)

Thomas tapped to be commander of US Fleet Forces Command

Tech

U.S. Air Force Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, commander of Air Combat Command, speaks after being presented the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun by Japanese Ambassador to the United States Shigeo Yamada, during a ceremony at Yamada’s residence in Washington, D.C., Oct. 21, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Eric Dietrich)

Trump nominates Gen. Wilsbach to be next Air Force chief of staff

Tech

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

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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