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

Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Schiess faces a Senate Armed Services Committee nomination hearing on Capitol Hill, July 16, 2026. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Congress confirms Schiess as third-ever chief of space operations

Space

U.S. Air Force F-16 Falcons from Ellington Field, Texas, receive fuel from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 from the 117th Air Refueling Wing, Alabama on June 13, 2023. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Faddis.)

Portfolio executives describe changing roles as Air Force completes acquisition overhaul

Emerging Tech

Rachel Kinard, Air Force Test Pilot School director of research, and Lt. Col. Philip Downing, 370th Flight Test Squadron commander, depart for a HAVE HEAT test mission at Edwards Air Force Base, California, April 16, 2026. Leveraging Lockheed Martin’s Infrared Search and Track Legion Pod, during the HAVE HEAT program, the X-62 VISTA platform demonstrated the ability of AI agents to ingest live infrared sensor data, directing the X-62 to autonomously intercept an airborne target in real time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lindsey Iniguez)

Air Force expands autonomous flight tests with live, AI-enabled intercepts

AI

(Getty Images)

Space Force awards $615M in deals for second batch of aircraft-tracking satellites

Space

The Defense Information Systems Agency building complex at Fort Meade, Md., Jan. 2, 2013. (DoD photo by Thomas L. Burton/Released)

DISA seeks industry input on CommandNet migration following GAO protest

IT

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