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

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NGA taking cautious approach to AI adoption in human resources

AI

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Space Force plans to invest billions in sprawling Space Data Network in FY27

Space

The Navy’s MQ-25A Stingray conducts its initial flight April 25 at Boeing’s facility at MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah, Ill. The aircraft completed a controlled test flight to evaluate basic handling and performance in preparation for future carrier-based operations. (Photo courtesy of Boeing)

Navy conducts first test flight of MQ-25 tanker drone

Emerging Tech

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks alongside Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in the Oval Office at the White House on May 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump announced his plans for the “Golden Dome,” a national ballistic and cruise missile defense system. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Space Force names 12 companies to develop Golden Dome’s space-based interceptors

Space

KC-46A aircraft assigned to the 157th Air Refueling Wing perform an elephant walk formation on the runway at Pease Air National Guard Base, Sept. 8, 2021. (U.S. Air National Guard Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Timm Huffman)

Air Force shifts sixth-gen tanker strategy to prioritize mission systems over new aircraft

Emerging Tech

Rendering of GPS III satellite (Credit: Lockheed Martin)

Space Force cancels contract with RTX for next-gen ground segment for GPS satellites

Space

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle met with World War II veterans, 100-year old Paul Robins and 99-year old Eddie Desmond, aboard the Battleship USS New Jersey Museum and Memorial in Philadelphia, Pa., Oct 12. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Joe J. Cardona Gonzalez).

Caudle: Navy plans to announce F/A-XX prime contractor in August

Emerging Tech

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Christopher J. Niemi, U.S. Air Force Warfare Center commander, delivers opening remarks at the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) change of command ceremony at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, June 9, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jennifer Nesbitt)

Trump nominates Niemi as Air Force’s inaugural chief modernization officer

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 brings 14 vendors into $1.8B next-gen space domain awareness program

Space