Mikayla Easley

Mikayla Easley reports on the Pentagon’s acquisition and use of emerging technologies. Prior to joining DefenseScoop, she covered national security and the defense industry for National Defense Magazine. She received a BA in Russian language and literature from the University of Michigan and a MA in journalism from the University of Missouri. You can follow her on Twitter @MikaylaEasley

Articles by Author

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall delivers a keynote address at the Air and Space Forces Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Md., Sept 11, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andy Morataya)

Secretary Kendall initiates review of Department of the Air Force to ‘re-optimize’ for future conflict

Emerging Tech

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket with the SILENTBARKER/NROL-107 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and United States Space Force rolls from the Vertical Integration Facility (VIF) to the launch pad at Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. (United Launch Alliance photo)

Silentbarker ‘watchdog’ satellites successfully launched for Space Force-NRO spy missions

Space

U.S. Space Force Col. Brett Swigert, Space Delta 7 – Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance commander, hands the ceremonial guidon to Lt. Col. Travis Anderson, 75th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Squadron commander, during the 75th ISRS activation ceremony Aug. 11, 2023, at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. The passing of the ceremonial guidon represented the first assignment of authority from the delta commander to the squadron commander. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cody Friend)

How the Space Force’s new targeting squadron will scope out adversary space and counterspace capabilities

Space

Next-generation air dominance and CCA drone concept art (Lockheed Martin image)

Air Force contemplating mission adaptability for future robotic wingmen

Weapons

The Bell V-280 Valor, the Army’s choice for the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft, or FLRAA. (Bell photo).

New collaboration hub looks to connect Army aviation with emerging tech

Emerging Tech

(Getty Images)

SDA, SpaceX set to fly second batch of Tranche 0 satellites

Space

A U.S. Marine with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command (SPMAGTF-CR-CC), participate in Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) training in the United States Central Command area of operations, June 22, 2021. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Melissa Marnell)

SOCOM encountering challenges connecting counter-drone systems with software and data

Weapons

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III swears in Defense Innovation Unit Director Douglas Beck in the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., May 5, 2023. (DoD Photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jack Sanders)

For next phase of DIU, Beck envisions stronger partnerships across Pentagon

Emerging Tech

(iStock/Getty Images)

Spacecom plea to commercial industry: ‘Don’t let the bureaucracy scare you’

Space