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

Soldiers deployed to At-Tanf Garrison, Syria, fire an 81 mm mortar weapon system during a readiness exercise on April 22, 2020. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. William Howard)

Garrison in Syria used by US troops attacked by kamikaze drones

Weapons

Sea Hunter, an autonomous unmanned surface vehicle, arrives at Pearl Harbor to participate in the Rim of Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aiko Bongolan)

Navy keen on containerized payloads to maintain flexibility for possible medium unmanned vessels

AI

Aircraft attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 and CVW-7 perform a flyover of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joseph A.D. Phillips/Released)

Navy pondering air-launched hypersonic weapons

Weapons

L3Harris’ VAMPIRE counter-UAS system (Photo courtesy of L3Harris)

DOD finally inks deal with L3Harris for VAMPIRE counter-drone systems for Ukraine

Weapons

(Getty Images)

Wargames suggest limited impact of US hypersonic weapons in potential conflict over Taiwan

Weapons

Master Sgt. Kyle Pearson (left), Headquarters Air Mobility Command expeditionary communications functional area manager, and Tech. Sgt. Kevin Koenig, 621st Contingency Response Support Squadron tactical radio communications section chief, provides communication from a Nomad GCS Tactical Control Vehicle at a simulated austere base during the Advanced Battle Management System exercise on Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Sept. 1, 2020. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Cory D. Payne)

Air Force to evaluate SD-WAN solutions to support global battle management network

IT

U.S. Soldier Spc. Mitchell Mcneil, assigned to 82nd Airborne 3rd Brigade Combat Team, trains with the Integrated Visual Augmentation System as a part of Project Convergence 2022 (PC22) at Camp Talega, California, Oct. 11, 2022. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Thiem Huynh)

Army issues task order to Microsoft to develop better version of IVAS headset

Emerging Tech

An XQ-58A Valkyrie low-cost unmanned aerial vehicle launches at the Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz., Dec. 9, 2020. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joshua King)

Navy buying XQ-58A Valkyrie drones for ‘penetrating affordable autonomous collaborative killer’ initiative

Weapons

(Getty Images)

2022 in review: Ukraine serving as proving ground for new — and sometimes secretive — US defense tech

Weapons