Mikayla Easley

Mikayla Easley reports on the Pentagon’s acquisition and use of emerging technologies. Prior to joining DefenseScoop, she covered national security and the defense industry for National Defense Magazine. She received a BA in Russian language and literature from the University of Michigan and a MA in journalism from the University of Missouri. You can follow her on Twitter @MikaylaEasley

Articles by Author

YFQ-42A (Photo courtesty of GA-ASI)

Wilsbach: Air Force could stand up independent CCA drone squadrons

Emerging Tech

Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman offers a keynote address at the Air, Space and Cyber Conference at National Harbor, Md., Sept 24, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andy Morataya)

Space Force sets sights on major overhaul of how it buys capabilities

Space

Military service members assigned to the 7th Air Support Operations Squadron, Fort Bliss, Texas, and 729th Air Control Squadron, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, conduct warfare operations at the Tactical Operations Center-Light (TOC-L) on Oct. 14, 2022, during Project Convergence 22 experimentation at March Air Reserve Base, California. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Brenda Salgado)

Air Force looks to scale up C2 prototyping, experimentation efforts

Emerging Tech

A work crew prepares a 5G mobile test station for testing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Feb. 25, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw)

Pentagon CIO greenlights 5 large-scale spectrum sharing tech demonstrations

Emerging Tech

Rendering of Northrop Grumman’s GAS-T design that will leverage an ESPAStar-D satellite platform to add fuel and extend the life of in-orbit assets. (Northrop Grumman image)

Space Force’s next-gen space domain awareness satellites will require on-orbit refueling capability

Space

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to the 37th Bomb Squadron and U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors assigned to the 90th Fighter Squadron fly in formation above U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships in the Pacific Ocean in support of Valiant Shield 2024, June 7, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Keegan Putman)

Air Force standing up integrated program office for Joint Fires Network on Oct. 1

Emerging Tech

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing, refuels a U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft during exercise RAMSTEIN FLAG 2024 while flying over the coast of Greece, Oct. 4, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo)

Air Force considering ‘every option’ for sixth-gen tanker, AMC commander says

Weapons

(Getty Images)

Space Development Agency pauses plans to provide PNT capabilities

Space

U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command’s (SSC) stands up Systems Delta 81 (SYD 81) at Peterson Space Force Base, Colo. on Sept. 9, 2025. USAF Brig. Gen. Michelle Idle, mobilization assistant to the SSC commander, passes the SYD 81 guidon to USSF Col. Corey Klopstein, SYD 81 Commander. (USAF Photo by Senior Airman William Pugh)

Space Force activates ‘system delta’ unit for modernized test, training infrastructure program

Space