Jon Harper

Jon Harper is Managing Editor of DefenseScoop, the Scoop News Group’s online publication focused on the Pentagon and its pursuit of new capabilities. 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 (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter) @Jon_Harper_

Articles by Author

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth hosts a press gaggle with media members after meeting with troops and U.S. Border Patrol agents to assess the operational control of the U.S.-Mexico border, El Paso, Texas, Feb. 3, 2025. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitza)

Hegseth hints at program cuts during talk with troops

Tech

220722-A-YK067-1035 MANAMA, Bahrain (July 22, 2022) Unmanned surface vessels sit as static displays, in Manama, Bahrain, July 22, 2022. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Terry Vongsouthi)

Central Command gets new chief technology officer

Emerging Tech

Then U.S. Air Force Maj. Michael Jensen, 26th Special Tactics Squadron commander smiles after assuming command of the squadron in 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Eboni Reece)

Trump nominates Air Force veteran to oversee special operations forces

Tech

U.S. Marines assigned to Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, carry their bags to a landing craft, utility attached to Assault Craft Unit 1 before departing the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific Ocean Nov. 23, 2024. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Helms)

Marines use generative AI tech during long deployment to the Pacific

AI

A student at the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School in the Technical Exploitation Course processes a laptop computer during training at Fort Bragg, North Carolina October 22, 2019. (U.S. Army photo illustration by K. Kassens)

SOCOM searching for ‘tactical forensics’ tools to exploit data from vehicles, smartphones, drones

Tech

JAGM rendering (Image courtesy of Lockheed Martin)

Marines to give air-to-ground missile new counter-drone capabilities

Weapons

NAVAL BASE CORONADO (May 15, 2024) – Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) operate remotely in San Diego Bay. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Claire M. DuBois)

Navy to establish USVRON 7, adding another robotic ship squadron to the force

Weapons

Daniel Driscoll testifies at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on his nomination to be secretary of the Army, Jan, 30, 2025. (Screenshot from video on Congress.gov)

Trump’s nominee for Army secretary calls for buying more commercial off-the-shelf tech

Tech

The full Super Blue Moon is centered in the spires of the U.S. Air Force Memorial early in the morning on August 19, 2024, in Arlington, VA. (Photo by J. David Ake/Getty Images)

Air Force pondering CCA drones that don’t require runways as officials plan next increment

Weapons