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

Sailors assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 prepare an underwater vehicle to search for debris during recovery efforts of a high-altitude balloon in the Atlantic Ocean, Feb. 7, 2023. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan Seelbach)

Navy using VideoRay’s Defender underwater drone to search for Chinese balloon debris

AI

Soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) along with The Army Research Laboratory (ARL) participate in a Joint Tactical Aerial Resupply Vehicle (JTARV) exercise on Fort A.P. Hill, Va., September 22, 2017. (U.S. Army photos by Pfc. Gabriel Silva)

Army Research Lab outlines plans for robotic systems evaluation

AI

(Getty Images)

AI bot developed to help Defense Department write contracts faster

AI

Capt. Emily Neumann, assigned to 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, participates in a missile defense exercise aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh, Feb. 24, 2015. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman David Flewellyn/Released)

Navy looking to prototype ‘unique’ optical sensor designed to detect incoming hypersonic cruise missiles

Weapons

Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Aaron Romo, assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit ONE, launches a MK18 MOD 1 unmanned underwater vehicle from a rigid-hull inflatable boat on July 10, in support of Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Logan C. Kellums)

Navy beginning underwater drone operations to help recover debris from downed Chinese balloon

Tech

(Saab image)

US to buy ground-launched, GPS-guided small diameter bombs for Ukraine

Weapons

A U.S. Air Force F-22 performers aerial maneuvers July 14, 2019, at the “Mission Over Malmstrom” open house event on Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jacob M. Thompson)

Military brass have recommended against shooting down an alleged Chinese spy balloon flying over the US — for now

Tech

(Getty Images)

Pentagon’s 5G office sponsoring Open RAN technology challenge with more than $6M in cash prizes

Emerging Tech

A Saildrone Explorer unmanned surface vessel operates in the Arabian Gulf, Nov. 29, during Digital Horizon 2022. The three-week unmanned and artificial intelligence integration event involves employing new platforms in the region for the first time. (U.S. photo by Sgt. Brandon Murphy)

Deploying contractor-owned robotic vessels could be a fruitful long-term option for the Navy, Secretary Del Toro says

Weapons