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

View of Earth from space at night showing illuminated city lights and glowing data network lines connecting various points across continents, symbolizing global communication, technology, and interconnected digital infrastructure. The image highlights the curvature of the planet with a bright sunrise over the horizon and deep space background. Maps from NASA: https://visibleearth.nasa.gov/images/144875/earth-at-night-black-marble-2012-color-maps-v2

SpaceX wins $4B deal to accelerate deployment of aircraft-tracking satellites

Space

Image from SpaceX livestream of the Tranche 1 transport launch (Credit: SpaceX)

Draft NDAA would dissolve Space Development Agency, Rapid Capabilities Office

Space

SpaceX’s Starshield capability (Credit: SpaceX)

Space Force awards $2.29B deal to SpaceX to accelerate ‘backbone’ SATCOM network

Space

U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and an F-22 Raptor assigned to the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron participate in exercise Bamboo Eagle 24-3 with 32nd Air Refueling Squadron air crews over the Pacific Ocean, Aug. 9, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Monica Roybal)

Air Force looks to accelerate F-15 EW upgrades at new ‘Speedline’

Weapons

Artist rendering of an Orbit Fab shuttle refueling Astroscale’s servicing vehicle. (Orbit Fab image)

Space Force accelerating work to operationalize on-orbit logistics tech

Space

A US soldier prepares an interception drone of the American MEROPS counter drone system to launch during tests at the Nowa Deba military training ground, south-eastern Poland, on November 18, 2025. (Photo by Wojtek RADWANSKI / AFP) (Photo by WOJTEK RADWANSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Army plans to launch marketplace to streamline US weapons exports to allies

Emerging Tech

A Space X Falcon 9 rocket launches from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, Feb. 14, 2024. The rocket was launched as part of classified mission USSF-124, sending six satellites to orbit – two for the Missile Defense Agency and four for the Space Development Agency. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Spencer Contreras)

Sandhoo named Space Development Agency director, PAE for missile warning and tracking

Space

Leidos’ new Low-Cost Containerized Munitions (LCCM) is expected to significantly enhance the country’s ground-launched combat capability. Image: Leidos

Pentagon signs deals with industry to rapidly field 10,000 low-cost missiles

Weapons

A B-52H Stratofortress assigned to the 419th Flight Test Squadron is undergoes pre-flight procedures at Edwards Air Force Base, California, Aug. 8, 2020. The aircraft conducted a captive-carry flight test of the AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon Instrumented Measurement Vehicle 2 at the Point Mugu Sea Range off the Southern California coast. (Air Force photo by Giancarlo Casem)

Air Force wants to develop follow-on to ARRW hypersonic missile

Weapons