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

The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) conducts an underway replenishment with USNS Matthew Perry (T-AKE 9) in the Pacific Ocean, Aug. 5, 2021 during Large Scale Exercise. (Photo by Mark Perdue)

Navy to test Project Overmatch capabilities during Large Scale Exercise

IT

KITTERY, ME. Nov. 17, 2022, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard: Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti meets with leadership at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard during a visit which included briefs on the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program and Naval Sustainment System – Shipyards. (U.S. Navy photo by Jim Cleveland/Released).

Biden picks next CNO, vice chief, Pacific commanders

Tech

Staff Sgt. Anthony Sullivan and Airman 1st Class Michael Dupre clean computers with an air pressure machine in Southwest Asia, March 19, 2012. To better support base communication needs, the 380th Expeditionary Communications Squadron ordered more than 200 used computers from bases that closed within the Air Forces Central area of responsibility. Before being issued, they were cleaned and checked to be in compliance with the wing’s network standards. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Arian Nead)

Air Force grappling with budgetary implications of enterprise IT as a service

IT

Soldiers and MITRE personnel conduct the initial testing of the CARPE Dronvm smartphone app during the launch of the testing drone. U.S. Army Central tested CARPE Dronvm at McEntire Joint National Guard Base and Poinsett Weapons Range, S.C., on July 18, 2023. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Amber Cobena)

US military tests new smartphone app that could help shoot down drones

Emerging Tech

Space Rapid Capabilities Office logo (Space RCO image)

Plans unveiled for this year’s Hyperspace Challenge program

Space

(Getty Images)

Pentagon’s FOO Fighter satellites to focus on ‘handful’ of missile threats not covered by other programs, SDA director says

Space

AI chatbot concept rendering (Getty Images)

Pentagon looking for contractors to set up AI ‘bias bounty’ programs

AI

A Task Force 99 sign hangs on the door to the team’s work center at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, October 28, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Cassandra Johnson)

Task Force 99 drone was ‘very effective’ in secretive spy missions, senior DOD official says

Weapons

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 testing generative AI in ‘global information dominance’ experiments

AI