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

Sailors signal for an aircraft to launch off the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) while underway in the Philippine Sea, June 16, 2025. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class August Clawson)

Navy’s F/A-XX next-gen fighter program would get nearly $1B in FY26 funding bill

Emerging Tech

Lockheed Martin and GE Aerospace have demonstrated a liquid-fueled rotating detonation ramjet engine that could enable missiles to fly faster and farther, while costing a lot less to build compared to other ramjet options. (Lockheed Martin photo)

Lockheed Martin, GE Aerospace demo novel ramjet engine for hypersonic weapons

Emerging Tech

Zero trust security system big data concept rendering (Getty Images)

GDIT tapped to deliver zero-trust security solution at nearly 200 Air Force bases

Cyber

(Navy rendering of Defiant battleship)

Navy hopes Golden Fleet battleships will solve capacity limits of destroyers

Emerging Tech

U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and an F-22 Raptor assigned to the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron participate in exercise Bamboo Eagle 24-3 with 32nd Air Refueling Squadron air crews over the Pacific Ocean, Aug. 9, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Monica Roybal)

Air Force, Space Force announce acquisition changes amid Hegseth’s reform push

Emerging Tech

An XQ-58A Valkyrie flies next to an F-35. (Marine Corps photo)

Marine Corps picks Northrop Grumman, Kratos team to build CCA drones

Emerging Tech

Zero-trust network architecture illustration (iStock/Getty Images)

Pentagon looks to use AI, automation for zero trust assessments

Cyber

An AC-130J Ghostrider gunship assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command flies near Hurlburt Field, Florida, June 6, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tori Haudenschild)

AFSOC looks to add Starlink terminals to Ghostrider gunships

Space

U.S. Air Force Airmen and members of the Royal Air Force participate in the Shadow Operations Center-Nellis Capstone (ShOC-N) experiment event at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Nov. 17-21, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jennifer Nesbitt) (Documents blurred for security purposes.)

Latest Air Force capstone tests AI, joint integration for battle management

AI