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

A Skydio X2d quadcopter drone is flown by Airmen on March 8, 2023, at the Belle Clair Soccer Park in Belleville, Illinois. The drone was used during the first class of Detachment X program initiated on Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Madeline Baisey)

Pentagon soliciting industry for adapter and software to convert remotely piloted drones into autonomous systems

AI

Adm. Christopher Grady, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, views the Navigation Seamanship Surface Trainer during a tour of the Mariner Skills Training Center Atlantic, June 7, 2023. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James D. Mullen)

US military publishes new joint warfighting doctrine

Emerging Tech

Next-generation air dominance and CCA drone concept art (Lockheed Martin image)

Can industry deliver for Replicator? ‘It depends,’ Pentagon acquisition chief says

Weapons

A palletized munitions system falls from the cargo hold of a 352d Special Operations Wing MC-130J Commando II during a live-fire demonstration for ATREUS 22-4 at Andøya Space Defense Range, Norway, Nov. 9, 2022. This is the first time Rapid Dragon, a precision munitions capability for medium-sized or larger cargo aircraft that allows U.S. and NATO forces a flexible rapid response option, has been employed in the U.S. European Command theater. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Brigette Waltermire)

Gen. Minihan envisions major expansion of Air Force’s Rapid Dragon capability

Weapons

An artist’s rendering of a hypersonic threat intercept. (DARPA Image)

Boeing wins $70M contract award for Glide Breaker counter-hypersonic weapons tech

Weapons

Illustration of DARPA’s “Energy Web Dominance – Resilient distribution of battlespace energy” concept (DARPA image)

DARPA picks vendors to help develop ‘wireless energy web’ for drones, other military forces

Emerging Tech

(iStock/Getty Images)

US Central Command eyeing generative AI for coding

AI

An unmanned underwater vessel (Boeing image)

Marine Corps leader keen on underwater drones that can launch loitering munitions

Emerging Tech

India and United States flags together (iStock/Getty Images)

First INDUS-X joint challenges to focus on undersea communication, maritime ISR

Emerging Tech