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

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 1st Space Brigade on Fort Carson, Colorado Springs, Colo., conduct a training exercise sweep of their assigned area on May 25, 2021. The training revolved around timely assembly of space related assets in unknown locations and the teams coordination, communication and combat training throughout the process. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Dennis Hoffman)

Army establishes new branch dedicated to space operations

Space

US President Donald Trump, alongside (L/R) Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, speaks to the press following US military actions in Venezuela, at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on January 3, 2026. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP via Getty Images)

Trump’s budget supplemental would secure billions for munitions, emerging defense tech

Emerging Tech

The Boeing Company signage is displayed above the company’s booth at Special Operations Forces (SOF) Week at the Tampa Convention Center on May 19, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Luke Sharrett/Getty Images)

Boeing awarded $2B deal to build next-gen comms sats for Space Force

Space

A Rocket Lab Electron launch vehicle is readied for lift off from the company’s Launch Complex-1 (LC-1) in Mahia, New Zealand, as part of the U.S. Space Force Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) VICTUS HAZE mission, June 19, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Rocket Lab)

Space Force sets another record with rapid launch of Victus Haze mission

Space

Aerial view of the Pentagon building in Arlington, Va., on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Defense contractor settles cybersecurity False Claims Act allegations

Cyber

YFQ-42A (Photo courtesty of GA-ASI)

Air Force picks Anduril, General Atomics to build first operational CCA drones

Emerging Tech

Firefly Aerospace successfully launches U.S. Space Force VICTUS NOX Responsive Space Mission with 24-hours notice. (Firefly Aerospace photo)

DARPA exploring tech for tactically responsive space operations

Space

Marines with Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command pose for photos in cyber operations room at Lasswell Hall aboard Fort Meade, Maryland, Feb. 5, 2020. (Photo illustration source: DVIDS)

SASC proposes reorganization of Pentagon’s IT, cyber leadership

Cyber

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth hosts a drone demonstration at the Pentagon, July 10, 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Isaac Llanez Delgado)

Senate pushes DOD to create new combatant command for unmanned systems

Emerging Tech