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

Concept art for the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM). (Image courtesy of Raytheon Technologies)

2022 in review: Pentagon advances several hypersonics initiatives with contract awards and RDT&E

Weapons

The 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery’s U.S. Army Patriot Missile Systems arrived in Croatia May 17, 2021 to participate in DEFENDER-Europe 21 associated exercise Astral Knight 21 and exercise Immediate Response 21. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Alexandra Shea)

US commits Patriot air defense system to aid Ukraine

Weapons

This photograph shows an object of a critical power infrastructure as it burns after a drone attack to Kyiv, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. – Drones attacked the Ukrainian capital early on December 19, 2022 morning, the Kyiv city military administration said, urging people to heed air alerts. (Photo by Sergei SUPINSKY / AFP) (Photo by SERGEI SUPINSKY/AFP via Getty Images)

White House hints at sending more counter-drone systems to Ukraine

Weapons

(AFRL/Leidos rendering)

Leidos tapped for Air Force’s Mayhem multi-mission hypersonic weapons program

Weapons

A carrier strike group transits the Pacific Ocean Jan. 25, 2020. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Isaacs)

Navy awards IDIQ contracts for $4.1B CANES program

IT

U.S. Capitol, Congress — (Getty Images)

Congress wants DOD strategy to address how 3D printing could aid hypersonic weapons testing

Weapons

Master Sgt. John Malloy and Staff Sgt. Jacob Puente secure the AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon Instrumented Measurement Vehicle 2 as it is loaded under the wing of a B-52H Stratofortress at Edwards Air Force Base, California, Aug. 6, 2020. (Air Force photo by Giancarlo Casem)

Air Force begins all-up-round flight testing of ARRW hypersonic missile prototype

Weapons

Ukrainian soldiers on the collapsed bridge that crosses the Irpin River aim for a suspected Russian observation drone on March 6, 2022 in Irpin, Ukraine. (Photo Laurent Van der Stockt pour Le Monde/Getty Images)

New $275M Ukraine assistance package includes more counter-drone weapons

Weapons

(Screenshot of DOD’s Innovation Pathways website)

Pentagon upgrades Innovation Pathways website as it looks to connect with non-traditional vendors

IT