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

In this photo illustration, the OpenAI “ChatGPT” AI-generated answer to the question “What can AI offer to humanity?” is seen on a laptop screen on February 03, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

DOD to convene conference on generative AI amid concerns about ‘hallucinations’

AI

General views of the SVB, Silicon Valley Bank branch on March 17, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

After Silicon Valley Bank collapse, DIU looking at how it could respond to future bank failures that threaten its industry partners

Tech

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)

Navy plans to spend more than $50M per round on average for CPS hypersonic missiles over next 5 years

Weapons

Dr. Anna Crumbley, a research chemical engineer, removes the solids from a new batch of fermented micro-organisms. The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command’s Chemical Biological Center is able to produce batches of biomanufactured material at its Aberdeen Proving Ground facility. (Photo by Brian Feeney)

DOD releases RFI eyeing potential Defense Production Act investments to boost US biotech industry

Emerging Tech

An Air Force Research Lab conceptual design for an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (Artwork courtesy of AFRL)

Air Force plans to spend more than $6B on CCA drone programs over the next 5 years

Weapons

Rendering of Hypersonix Launch Systems’ DART AE vehicle. (Hypersonix Launch Systems image courtesy of DIU)

Australian startup tapped to provide airborne hypersonic testing platform for Pentagon

Weapons

Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Heidi Shyu participates in a virtual event for Engineers Week, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Feb. 23, 2022. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)

Big boost in RDER funding tied to plans to conduct multiple technology ‘sprints’

Emerging Tech

Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, participates in the META-13 Joint All-Domain Command & Control (JADC2) and Space Mission Integration panel discussion, at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics ASCEND Summit, from the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Nov. 18, 2020. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)

Space Force wants $340M in 2024 to build up operational testing and training infrastructure

Space

Wallops Island, Virginia, Oct. 21, 2021. U.S. Navy Strategic Systems Programs and the Army Hypersonic Program Office successfully conducted a High Operational Tempo for Hypersonics flight campaign. This test informed the development of the Navy’s Conventional Prompt Strike and the Army’s Long Range Hypersonic Weapon offensive hypersonic strike capability. (U.S. Navy Photo/Released)

Navy seeks $900M for hypersonics R&D, plans to buy 8 Conventional Prompt Strike missiles in 2024

Weapons