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

CCA concept art (Boeing image)

Don’t expect ‘straight-line’ capability advancements for CCA drones, Air Force acquisition chief says

Weapons

Master Sgt. John Malloy and Staff Sgt. Jacob Puente secure the AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon Instrumented Measurement Vehicle 2 as it is loaded under the wing of a B-52H Stratofortress at Edwards Air Force Base, California, Aug. 6, 2020. (Air Force photo by Giancarlo Casem)

Air Force has ‘concerns’ about HACM; hasn’t ruled out boost-glide hypersonic weapons

Weapons

(Boeing image of the Orca)

Navy receives first Orca unmanned submarine from Boeing

Weapons

(iStock/Getty Images)

DOD looking to award another $280M for microelectronics projects

Tech

(Getty Images)

New DDS bug bounty to include rapid response capability

Cyber

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)

Pentagon hopes to ring in new year with minimum viable capability for JADC2

AI

Master Sgt. Kyle Pearson (left), Headquarters Air Mobility Command expeditionary communications functional area manager, and Tech. Sgt. Kevin Koenig, 621st Contingency Response Support Squadron tactical radio communications section chief, provides communication from a Nomad GCS Tactical Control Vehicle at a simulated austere base during the Advanced Battle Management System exercise on Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Sept. 1, 2020. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Cory D. Payne)

Pentagon eyeing ‘bridging’ solutions for JADC2

Tech

U.S. Marines with Headquarters Battalion, 3d Marine Division, execute command and control from a combat operations center during exercise Keen Edge 22 on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 31, 2022. Keen Edge is a biannual bilateral command post exercise between the U.S. military and the Japan Self-Defense Force that achieves mutual security objectives and strengthens U.S.-Japan military interoperability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Diana Jimenez)

Keen Edge wargame to serve as ‘proof of concept’ for zero-trust networking among international partners

Cyber

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Anthony Peter, a rifleman with 3d Littoral Combat Team, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, establishes radio communications during Marine Littoral Regiment Training Exercise (MLR-TE) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California, Feb. 20, 2023. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Scott Aubuchon)

Marine Corps about to release new warfighting publication on information operations

Weapons