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

Rendering of Northrop Grumman’s GAS-T design that will leverage an ESPAStar-D satellite platform to add fuel and extend the life of in-orbit assets. (Northrop Grumman image)

Space Force’s next-gen space domain awareness satellites will require on-orbit refueling capability

Space

A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to the 37th Bomb Squadron and U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors assigned to the 90th Fighter Squadron fly in formation above U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships in the Pacific Ocean in support of Valiant Shield 2024, June 7, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Keegan Putman)

Air Force standing up integrated program office for Joint Fires Network on Oct. 1

Emerging Tech

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing, refuels a U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft during exercise RAMSTEIN FLAG 2024 while flying over the coast of Greece, Oct. 4, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Edgar Grimaldo)

Air Force considering ‘every option’ for sixth-gen tanker, AMC commander says

Weapons

(Getty Images)

Space Development Agency pauses plans to provide PNT capabilities

Space

U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command’s (SSC) stands up Systems Delta 81 (SYD 81) at Peterson Space Force Base, Colo. on Sept. 9, 2025. USAF Brig. Gen. Michelle Idle, mobilization assistant to the SSC commander, passes the SYD 81 guidon to USSF Col. Corey Klopstein, SYD 81 Commander. (USAF Photo by Senior Airman William Pugh)

Space Force activates ‘system delta’ unit for modernized test, training infrastructure program

Space

Air Force Senior Airman Tyler Waters assigned to the 109th Air Control Squadron, tests Link 16 capabilities aboard a KC-135R over Utah on February 3, 2024. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Colton Elliott)

Utah Air Guard base to receive 2 new cyber operations squadrons

Cyber

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

Pentagon CIO working on new program to break down disparate IT networks

IT

Image from SpaceX livestream of the Tranche 1 transport launch (Credit: SpaceX)

SDA kicks off launch campaign for first operational data transport sats

Space

(Getty Images)

Pentagon to officially implement CMMC requirements in contracts by Nov. 10

IT