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

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

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