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 Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Jackson (LCS 6) sails in the Gulf of Thailand, May 7, 2022.. The Navy is currently studying whether LCS could serve as mother ships for unmanned systems. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Alexandra Green)

Mother ships for drones will be ‘extremely important’ for the Navy’s future fleet, Secretary Del Toro 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 by Luke Lamborn)

Pentagon announces another major contracting action for hypersonic weapons

Weapons

RED SEA (May 11, 2012) Capt. Grady Banister, commanding officer of the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), prepares to release a weather balloon used for retrieving upper air soundings off the fantail of the ship. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Natasha R. Chalk/Released)

DOD takes steps to ensure its weather balloons aren’t misidentified

Tech

(Getty Images)

US trying to get other countries to agree to eschew AI for nuclear command and control

AI

(Getty Images)

Space Development Agency issues solicitation for new battle management app factory

Space

The Variable In-flight Simulator Aircraft (VISTA) flies in the skies over Edwards Air Force Base, California, shortly after receiving its new paint scheme in early 2019. The aircraft was redesignated from NF-16D to the X-62A, June 14, 2021. F-16 AI agents developed under DARPA’s Air Combat Evolution (ACE) program controlled the X-62A during test flights over Edwards AFB, California, in December 2022. (Air Force photo by Christian Turner)

AI agents take control of modified F-16 fighter jet

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)

US Central Command’s new Task Force 99 begins drone operations in Middle East

Weapons

Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown, Jr., addresses the audience during the Brig. Gen. Charles E. McGee Leadership Award ceremony at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Md., Jan 27, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andy Morataya)

Air Force chief contemplating new ‘tech track’ and military occupational specialties for data experts

Cyber

An F- 22 Raptor takes flight as part of Polar Force 19-4 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, April 2, 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan Valdes Montijo)

F-22 fighter jet shoots down mysterious ‘object’ off the coast of Alaska; another downed over Canada

Tech