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_

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Compromise NDAA includes AI bug bounty program, prize competition for detection and watermarking

AI

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM (April 30, 2021) A 19-gun salute was fired during the change of command ceremony for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) for the arrival of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kenneth Rodriguez)

Hackathon at Indo-Pacific Command’s new AI battle lab open to all US citizens

AI

A NATO flag is set up prior to the signing ceremony of the law, ratifying the NATO Protocol on Finland and Sweden’s membership, on board the Polish Navy frigate ORP Kosciuszko in Gdynia in July 22, 2022. (Photo by MATEUSZ SLODKOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

NATO picks 44 companies for DIANA projects

Emerging Tech

In a an open hearing on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) before the House Intelligence Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence, and Counterproliferation Subcommittee on May 17, 2022, Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence Mr. Scott Bray shared a video of a US. Naval aviator encounter with an unknown object in a fleeting pass. This image is a screen capture of the UAP observed in a video of the flyby captured by the pilot in the cockpit of a Navy fighter jet. UAP reporting and data often involves fleeting observations and minimal data. (DVIDS)

Government UAP records repository on the verge of becoming law, opened to public viewing

Tech

Switchblade 600 rendering (AeroVironment image)

Army wants more vendors, more money for LASSO kamikaze drones

Weapons

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US Central Command recruits Michael Foster as chief data officer

AI

Doug Bush, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, is guided by Col. J. Frederick Dente, V Corps chief of staff, during a visit to Camp Kościuszko, Poland, Sep. 8, 2022. (Photo by Spc. Dean Johnson)

Army drones have ‘good chance’ of being picked for Replicator, acquisition chief says

Weapons

A common hypersonic glide body (C-HGB) launches from Pacific Missile Range Facility, Kauai, Hawaii, March 19, 2020, during a Department of Defense flight experiment. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)

Army hopes to field Dark Eagle hypersonic missile in summer 2024 after resolving problems with launcher

Weapons

Undersecretary of Defense for Research & Engineering Heidi Shyu meets with Maj. Grover Smith of the Indiana National Guard during Technology Readiness Experimentation (T-REX) 2023 at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. (Defense Department photo).

Pentagon green-lights procurement of 3 ‘pretty special’ RDER capabilities

Emerging Tech