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

Research Scientists at the Air Force Research Laboratory Nature Inspired Research Facility use specialized equipment to measure an insect’s response to various light stimuli to better understand how they see and process information. The researchers use this information to determine how insect vision can enable engineers to develop better weapon sensors that more effectively sense targets. (Photo by Keith Lewis)

Pentagon’s new S&T strategy focuses on joint operations, collaboration

Emerging Tech

(Getty Images)

Pentagon, National Science Foundation team up to fund new institute for AI and natural intelligence

AI

Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines speaks during a hearing with the Senate Armed Services Committee on May 04, 2023 in Washington, DC. Haines testified alongside Defense Intelligence Agency Director Lt. Gen. Scott Berrier and took questions on the intelligence communities annual threat assessment. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Intelligence community working with private sector to understand impacts of generative AI

AI

Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert J. Skinner, director of Defense information Systems Agency, testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee, subcommitee on cyber security, in Washington, D.C. March 29, 2023. (DoD photo by EJ Hersom)

DISA boss asks for industry help to leverage generative AI ‘faster and better’ than adversaries

AI

U.S. military load a C-5 aircraft with Northrop Grumman’s Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) equipment during a training session. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)

Army green lights IBCS for initial operational capability

IT

Wallops Island, Virginia, Oct. 21, 2021. U.S. Navy Strategic Systems Programs and the Army Hypersonic Program Office successfully conducted a High Operational Tempo for Hypersonics flight campaign. This test informed the development of the Navy’s Conventional Prompt Strike and the Army’s Long Range Hypersonic Weapon offensive hypersonic strike capability. (U.S. Navy Photo/Released)

Pentagon awards three contracts to bolster US hypersonics supply chains

Weapons

Interactive online assistant. A dialog with a voice-activated virtual chatbot in the smartphone screen. Polygonal construction of lines and points. Blue background. — (Getty Images)

Space Force CIO ‘cautiously optimistic’ about ChatGPT for Pentagon operations

AI

U.S. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall speaks at the National Press Club on April 19, 2022. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

The Air Force wants new authorities to kick off programs. Will Congress grant them?

Emerging Tech

Edward Ramey, space domain characterization common operating picture segment (SDCCS) lead integration and training support for the Joint Task Force-Space Defense, looks at a computer screen at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, Dec. 19, 2022. Through the partnering of the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community and National Reconnaissance Office in the National Space Defense Center, JTF-SD brings to bear the full force of the U.S. Government and synchronizes space superiority planning and operations. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tiana Williams)

Space Force must better operationalize commercial data for space situational awareness, GAO says

Space