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

DARPA Director Stefanie Tompkins speaks during a fireside chat at DefenseTalks 2023. (DefenseScoop)

DARPA working on cybersecurity tech that could free people from having to change their passwords

Cyber

How US Central Command’s task forces are shaping the future of operational AI

AI

(iStock/Getty Images)

Commercial satellite imagery services included in new $1.2B Ukraine security assistance package

Space

(Cropped from image by Michelle Strother, U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center)

Army asking for industry’s input on testing and securing data sets that enable AI applications

AI

Philippines President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. (L), is escorted by U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (R) during an arrival ceremony at the Pentagon May 3, 2023 in Arlington, Virginia. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Cybersecurity features prominently in new US-Philippines bilateral defense guidelines

Cyber

Airmen from the 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron munitions flight load an AIM-120D Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile onto an F-15E Strike Eagle during an integrated combat turn training event at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, March 3, 2021. The AIM-120D AMRAAM has been used in service since 1991, and can reach a maximum speed of Mach 4. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Greg Erwin)

More drones, more problems? The Air Force needs additional missiles for collaborative combat aircraft

Weapons

A Mine Countermeasure Unmanned Surface Vehicle (MCM USV) is recovered onboard USS Manchester (LCS 14) during Unmanned Influence Sweep System initial operational test and evaluation, June 2021. (Navy photo)

Navy’s robotics-enabled mine countermeasures mission package achieves initial operational capability

Weapons

707th Communications Squadron client system technicians update software for computers that will be used on Air Force networks at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Alexandre Montes)

Air Force’s multibillion-dollar Enterprise IT as a Service program cleared for takeoff

IT

Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Englehardt, the noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the operations section for the 142nd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, which is deployed to support 1st Theater Sustainment Command, gauges wind speed near the Camp Buehring, Kuwait, drop zone for the April 22, 2021 air drop of four bundles using the Joint Precision Air Delivery System, JPADS. Englehardt said JPADS uses the Modular Autonomous Guidance Unit, or MAGU, to manipulate the the parafoil’s rigging to steer it using GPS to reach its programmed coordinates. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Neil W. McCabe)

Pentagon alters oversight of PNT enterprise in new guidance

Tech