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

Defense Innovation Unit Director Doug Beck speaks to Master Sgt. Joshua Shelly, Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Marine Corps Attack Drone Team, about the Neros Archer drone during the AI+ Expo in Washington D.C., June 2, 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Matthew Romonoyske-Bean)

Doug Beck resigns as DIU director

Tech

Adm. Daryl Caudle salutes the sideboys during a U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC) Relinquishment of Command ceremony aboard Naval Station Norfolk, August 6, 2025. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dustin Knight/Released)

Adm. Caudle sworn in as chief of naval operations

Emerging Tech

Jane Rathbun at DoDIIS 2023. (Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Wade Costin)

Navy CIO Jane Rathbun announces exit

Tech

DISA Hosting and Compute Center Director Sharon Woods at a press briefing on the Department of Defense’s award of the Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability (JWCC) contract at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Dec. 8, 2022. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexander Kubitza)

Longtime DOD IT executive and legal counselor Sharon Woods announces her departure

IT

(iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Air Force eyeing AI-powered platform for wargaming

AI

(DARPA photo)

DARPA christens USX-1 Defiant autonomous ship ahead of at-sea demonstrations

AI

U.S. Central Command’s (USCENTCOM) incoming commander, U.S. Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, left, and outgoing USCENTCOM outgoing commander, U.S. Army Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, right, seated during a change of command ceremony, 8 August 2025. Multiple Department of Defense officials attended the event as well as distinguished defense leaders from partner nations around the world. (U.S. Central Command Public Affairs photo by Tom Gagnier)

Adm. Cooper takes the helm at Centcom

Tech

AI chatbot concept rendering (Getty Images)

Army plans to use AI chatbots to help West Point recruit high school students

AI

(iStock/Getty Images)

Pentagon officials gearing up for JWCC Next enterprise cloud program solicitation

IT