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

A Standard Missile-3 Block IIA is fired from a Vertical Launching System on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam as part of Flight Experiment Mission-02, on December 10, 2024. (courtesy photo/released)

DIU looks to prototype affordable fire-control sensors for enhanced missile defense

Space

An Extended Range Attack Munition live-fire test was conducted Jan. 22, 2025 at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. (Air Force photo)

Air Force conducts live test of low-cost cruise missile developed for Ukraine

Weapons

Maj. Gen. Luke Cropsey speaks about the future of the DAF BATTLE NETWORK during the Accelerating Decision Superiority: Harnessing Data and AI for Mission Readiness panel as part of the Air, Space and Cyber Conference, here, Sept. 23, 2025. (Air Force Photo by Richard Blumenstein).

Cropsey confirmed as Air Force acquisition military deputy

Emerging Tech

Chad Sherod, 319th Security Forces Squadron lead sUAS instructor, extends his hand to catch a descending drone April 7, 2023, on Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota. The 319th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron plans to implement the use of drones within their disaster recovery team in the event of an aircraft crash or natural disaster. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Colin Perkins)

Air Force creates task force to improve counter-drone tactics at bases

Emerging Tech

Crews of the National Space Defense Center at provide threat-focused space domain awareness across the nation security space enterprise. The NSDC was originally established in 2015 as the Joint Interagency Combined Space Operations Center and was renamed in 2017 to more accurately reflect its mission. (U.S. Space Force photo by Kathryn Damon)

Space Force advances towards operationalizing commercial reserve fleet in 2026

Space

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Joshua Balmer, 85th Engineering Installation Squadron cyber transport system technician operates a T-BERD 5800 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 10, 2024. Balmer used the device for stress testing communication networks as the 85th EIS revamps Andersen’s cyber infrastructure. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Audree Campbell)

DISA moving out on Mission Network-as-a-Service effort in 2026

IT

The 3d Multi-Domain Task Force deploys the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon System to Northern Territory, Australia, July 9, 2025, to participate in Exercise Talisman Sabre 25. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Perla Alfaro)

Army expects to complete fielding of Dark Eagle hypersonic missile in ‘early 2026’

Weapons

Sailors signal for an aircraft to launch off the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) while underway in the Philippine Sea, June 16, 2025. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class August Clawson)

Navy’s F/A-XX next-gen fighter program would get nearly $1B in FY26 funding bill

Emerging Tech

Lockheed Martin and GE Aerospace have demonstrated a liquid-fueled rotating detonation ramjet engine that could enable missiles to fly faster and farther, while costing a lot less to build compared to other ramjet options. (Lockheed Martin photo)

Lockheed Martin, GE Aerospace demo novel ramjet engine for hypersonic weapons

Emerging Tech