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

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Mendoza, 216th Space Control Squadron space systems operator, utilizes a ‘Honey Badger System’ during BLACK SKIES 22 at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., Sept. 20, 2022. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

Saltzman: Space Force needs additional ‘Skies’ exercises to sufficiently train guardians

Space

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall makes remarks during the Senior Leader Orientation Course at Joint Base Andrews, Md., April 11, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by Eric Dietrich)

Air Force pressing Congress for new authorities to kick-start development of new technology

R&D

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)

As space grows more crowded, US leaders want AI to assist in future missions

Space

U.S. Army Gen. James Dickinson, U.S. Space Command commander, speaks to members of the Joint Task Force-Space Defense during a town hall at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, Jan. 17, 2023. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tiana Williams)

Spacecom to reach full operational capability by end of year, commander says

Space

Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Heidi Shyu speaks during a press briefing announcing a university-affiliated research center initiative with historically Black colleges and universities, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., June 27, 2022. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)

Pentagon’s S&T budget request would boost funding for microelectronics, integrated capabilities

Emerging Tech

(Getty Images)

SDA seeks bids for next tranche of satellites to provide global communications

Space

Illustration of a hypersonic missile (Getty Images)

Physics and cost are shaping Pentagon’s hypersonics paths

Weapons

707th Communications Squadron client system technicians update software for computers that will be used on Air Force networks at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Alexandre Montes)

DOD behind on expanding its software development workforce, watchdog finds

IT

U.S. Navy Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Madison Van Zwol, from Vancouver, Washington, inspects servers in the Automated Data Processing center aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in the Arabian Gulf, Jan. 10, 2019. The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jeffery L. Southerland)

Navy, Marine Corps leaders push for flexible cloud access at sea

IT