Jon Harper

Jon Harper is Managing Editor of DefenseScoop, the Scoop News Group’s online publication focused on the Pentagon and its pursuit of new capabilities. He leads an award-winning team of journalists in providing breaking news and in-depth analysis on military technology and the ways in which it is shaping how the Defense Department operates and modernizes. You can also follow him on X (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter) @Jon_Harper_

Articles by Author

Screenshot of Navy Adm. Samuel J. Paparo Jr. testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee about his reappointment to the grade of admiral and nomination to commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Feb. 1, 2024. (Screenshot from DVIDS video)

Counter-C5ISRT is top priority for nominee to lead Indo-Pacific Command

Tech

U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and members of the 2nd Royal Australian Regiment conduct an amphibious assault utilizing Combat Rubber Reconnaissance Crafts at Fog Bay during exercise Talisman Sabre 15, in the Northern Territory, Australia, July 11 2015. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by MCIPAC Combat Camera Gunnery Sgt. Ricardo Morales/Released)

US military to bring RDER, T-REX tech initiatives to Australia

Emerging Tech

The MARTAC T-38 Devil Ray autonomous unmanned surface vessel (USV) built by Maritime Tactical Systems demonstrates an autonomous high-speed pass along the port side of the Spearhead-Class expeditionary fast transport vessel USNS Burlington (T-EPF-10) amongst onlookers from the Scientists-to-Sea program underway during the Navy’s Fleet Experimentation Program (FLEX), Oct. 17, 2022. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Steven Khor/Released)

DIU shopping for autonomous robo-boats with swarming capabilities for US Navy

Weapons

AI chatbot concept rendering (Getty Images)

Pentagon kicks off public bounty for biased chatbots

AI

U.S. Marines with Amphibious Vehicle Test Branch, Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity, drive a new Amphibious Combat Vehicle along the beach during low-light surf transit testing at AVTB Beach on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, Dec. 18, 2019. The test was designed to assess and verify how well Marines can interface with the vehicle and operate at night. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Andrew Cortez)

Marine Corps activity receives service’s first S&T ‘reinvention laboratory’ designation

Tech

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Christopher Mahoney, the commanding general of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), poses for a picture on Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, July 29, 2021. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Quince Bisard)

Marine Corps sees integration challenges for Replicator autonomous systems

Weapons

The Pentagon (Getty Images)

Pentagon contemplating AI hub for Replicator initiative; Hill briefings underway

AI

GULF OF ADEN (Dec. 14, 2021) — Amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) conducts a high-energy laser weapon system demonstration on a static surface training target, Dec. 14, while sailing in the Gulf of Aden. The photograph was captured utilizing a short wave infrared lens and optical filter. (U.S. Navy photo illustration by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Devin Kates)

Pentagon’s directed energy guru sees ‘uncomfortable choices’ ahead for military commanders

Weapons

(Getty Images)

OSD to host industry confab in search of high-tech solutions for ‘unleashing data’

AI