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

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

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks in front of a map of Trump’s proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense system in the Oval Office at the White House on May 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

CBO estimates Golden Dome-like missile shield could cost $1.2T over 2 decades

Space

Lt. Gen. Heath Collins, director of the Missile Defense Agency prepares before the House Armed Services Subcommittee FY27 missile defense and missile defeat programs and activities hearing in the Rayburn House office Building on April 15, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Luke Johnson/Getty Images)

Missile Defense Agency looks to demo hypersonic weapon interceptor in 2027

Weapons

DARPA’s XRQ-73 SHEPARD hybrid-electric experimental aircraft takes off at Edwards Air Force Base, California. (Source: Northrop Grumman)

DARPA begins flying experimental hybrid-electric ISR drone

Emerging Tech

U.S. Space Force Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Schiess, U.S. Space Forces – Space commander and Combined Joint Force Space Component Commander, takes part in a panel discussion at the Air, Space and Cyber Conference at National Harbor, Md. Sept. 23, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andy Morataya)

Lt. Gen. Doug Schiess nominated as next chief of space operations

Space

A U.S. Marine Corps XQ-58A Valkyrie, highly autonomous, low-cost tactical unmanned air vehicle, conducts its second test flight with two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to 33rd Fighter Wing, 96th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Feb. 23, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. John McRell)

Marine Corps charts path for future aviation ops led by drones

Emerging Tech

(Getty Images)

NGA taking cautious approach to AI adoption in human resources

AI

(Getty Images)

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

Space