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

(Air Force rendering of the F-47)

Pentagon budget goes ‘all in’ on Air Force’s F-47, putting Navy’s sixth-gen fighter on hold

Emerging Tech

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Marcella Philips, 2nd Maintenance Group weapons standardization loading standardization crew chief, and Tech Sgt. Darrell Stewart, 307th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron loading standardization crew member, secure the Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon to the B-52H Stratofortress ejector rack, at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, November 2, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Nicole Ledbetter)

Air Force revives ARRW hypersonic missile with procurement plans for fiscal 2026

Weapons

Members of the 56th Air and Space Communications Squadron at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam operate cyber systems using a Enhanced communications flyaway kit during the Global Information Dominance Experiment 3 and Architect Demonstration Evaluation 5 at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Alpena, Michigan, July, 12, 2021. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Amy Picard)

DOD CIO solicits industry to inform revamp of ‘cumbersome’ cybersecurity risk framework

Cyber

York Spacecraft undergoing vibration environmental testing at York Facility. (Photo credit: York Space Systems)

Space Development Agency accelerates launch of first experimental tactical SATCOM satellite

Space

A signage of Microsoft is seen on March 13, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Jeenah Moon/Getty Images)

EXCLUSIVE: Pentagon CIO reviewing Microsoft 365 licenses as part of DOGE-related cuts

IT

L3Harris developed the Meadowlands system to assist the U.S. Space Force in responding to potential future threats more effectively and efficiently. The upgraded system will enhance space Electromagnetic Warfare capabilities in support of joint and allied warfighters. (Credit: L3Harris)

Space Force receives first two units of Meadowlands offensive satellite jammer

Space

Raytheon and Northrop Grumman are developing the next-generation Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile, also known as HACM, for the U.S. Air Force. (Credit: Raytheon)

GAO warns that Air Force’s hypersonic cruise missile program is behind schedule

Weapons

Acting DOD CIO Katie Arrington speaks at the UiPath on Tour Public Sector conference, April 29, 2025. (Photo credit: Scoop News Group)

Inside the Pentagon CIO’s push to overhaul antiquated software acquisition practices

IT

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)

Allvin hints at new funding for Air Force’s ARRW hypersonic missile in fiscal 2026

Weapons