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_

Articles by Author

Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown, Jr., addresses the audience during the Brig. Gen. Charles E. McGee Leadership Award ceremony at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Md., Jan 27, 2023. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andy Morataya)

Air Force chief contemplating new ‘tech track’ and military occupational specialties for data experts

Cyber

An F- 22 Raptor takes flight as part of Polar Force 19-4 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, April 2, 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan Valdes Montijo)

F-22 fighter jet shoots down mysterious ‘object’ off the coast of Alaska; another downed over Canada

Tech

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