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

Members of the 18th Space Defense Combat Squadron, a unit assigned to U.S. Space Forces – Space under the USSF Force Generation model, observe orbital data at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Oct. 4, 2024.  (Photo by David Dozoretz)

Space Force establishes $981M contract vehicle to develop testing, training infrastructure

Space

Pratt & Whitney’s platform-agnostic XA103 engine to be built for test. (Credit: Pratt & Whitney)

Air Force aims to have next-gen engine ready for aircraft integration by 2030

Emerging Tech

A YFQ-44A, part of the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, undergoes an undated captive carry test at a California test location. This test phase uses inert munitions to methodically validate weapons integration, structural performance and safety, ensuring the platform can safely carry external stores. (Courtesy Air Force photo)

Air Force could tap up to 6 vendors for second increment of CCA drone program

Emerging Tech

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brien Disbro, a crew chief assigned to the174th Attack Wing, performs post-flight maintenance on an MQ-9 Reaper on Mar. 10, 2025 at Springfield-Beckley Air National Guard Base in Springfield, Ohio. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Shane Hughes)

Air Force to begin concept refinement of MQ-9 replacement by end of year

Emerging Tech

A U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress aircraft assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing departs from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, June 25, 2026. Members assigned to both the 20th and 96th Bomb Squadrons performed a flyover in Washington, D.C. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Preston Crawford)

Air Force asserts B-52 modernization remains on cost and schedule following June crash

Emerging Tech

Special Tactics Airmen assigned to the 24th Special Operations Wing secure an airfield during exercise Emerald Warrior 2024 at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, March 1, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephen Pulter)

SOF community puts novel acquisition strategy to the test during Accelerator challenge

Tech

Oracle — The Oracle logo on an office building in Irvine, California. (REUTERS / Mike Blake via Getty Images)

Pentagon awards Oracle $7B agreement for consolidated software tools, licenses

IT

MRV and three MEPs prior to encapsulation in the launch vehicle fairing. (Photo Credit: SpaceX)

Northrop Grumman launches in-space servicing satellites for life-extension missions

Space

Credit: Anduril

Anduril unveils Thunder attack helicopter, a new loyal wingman drone

Emerging Tech