Jon Harper

Jon Harper is Editor-in-Chief of DefenseScoop. 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: @Jon_Harper_

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GULF OF ADEN (Dec. 14, 2021) — Amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) conducts a high-energy laser weapon system demonstration on a static surface training target, Dec. 14, while sailing in the Gulf of Aden. The photograph was captured utilizing a short wave infrared lens and optical filter. (U.S. Navy photo illustration by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Devin Kates)

Pentagon’s directed energy guru sees ‘uncomfortable choices’ ahead for military commanders

Weapons

(Getty Images)

OSD to host industry confab in search of high-tech solutions for ‘unleashing data’

AI

SAN DIEGO (May 13, 2022) – The medium-displacement unmanned surface vessel Sea Hunter sits pierside at Naval Base San Diego, during the Unmanned Surface Vessel Division (USDIV) One establishment ceremony. USDIV One will focus on unmanned surface vessel experimentation and fleet advocacy for the surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin C. Leitner)

Navy pursuing fixes for robo-ships after observing ‘inappropriate’ interactions at sea

Weapons

(Boeing image of the Orca)

What’s next for the Navy’s Orca unmanned submarine?

Weapons

(Lockheed Martin image)

Navy Secretary Del Toro wants to accelerate funding for directed energy weapons

Weapons

Airmen at Joint Base Langley Eustis, Virginia perform field exercises during Force Protection Operational Rehearsal (FPOR). An Airman (right) carries the dismounted “manpack” JCREW system to show capabilities during the event in November of 2022. (Defense Dept. photo)

Navy sees IED and drone jamming as important use case for AI

AI

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) defeats a combination of Houthi missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles in the Red Sea, Oct. 19, 2023. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Lau)

Navy SWO boss frustrated by shortage of directed energy weapons

Weapons

Kathleen Hicks takes a phone call from a senator shortly before her Senate confirmation hearing for Deputy Secretary of Defense in Washington, D.C. Feb. 2, 2021. (DoD photo by EJ Hersom)

Hicks picks Replicator capabilities; Pentagon to brief key lawmakers

Weapons

(Getty Images)

Air Force taps Intelsat for commercial space internet project

Space