Author Archive
Tara Copp
Senior Pentagon Reporter, Defense One

Tara Copp is senior Pentagon correspondent for Defense One. Copp has reported through the Middle East, Asia and Europe to cover defense policy and its impact on the lives of service members. Her investigative reporting on military aviation accidents and on skyrocketing veteran cancer rates drove Congressional hearings and legislation. Before returning to journalism, she worked as a senior defense analyst at the U.S. Government Accountability Office, focused on readiness and military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. She is a Plan II graduate of the University of Texas and earned her masters in Security Studies at Georgetown University.
Policy
Biden’s Asia Trip is ‘Proof’ That US Can Focus On Two Fronts At Once, Officials Argue
His first presidential Pacific crossing aims to convince wary leaders that Washington is not losing focus on China.
- Tara Copp and Jacqueline Feldscher
Threats
Pentagon May Give Sweden, Finland More Security Aid
Russia has issued vague threats over the countries' applications to join the alliance.
- Tara Copp
Threats
Russian Sub Fired Missiles at Lviv Training Center, Ukraine Says
The use of such weapons could indicate munitions shortages, expert says.
- Tara Copp
Threats
Russia has Fired Between ‘10 and 12’ Hypersonics into Ukraine, Pentagon Says
The invading force have “blown through” its stockpile of precision guided munitions.
- Tara Copp
Threats
Pentagon Seeks to Update U.S. Weapons Stocks Depleted by Ukraine Donations
Defense Department's top acquisitions exec says Ukraine war is changing the way the U.S. thinks about stockpiles.
- Marcus Weisgerber and Tara Copp
Threats
Task Force Gator Back to Training Ukrainians as Battle Rages For the Donbas
A Florida National Guard unit that withdrew just before Moscow invaded is back to teaching as Russia reveals its weak spots.
- Tara Copp
Threats
US Looks to Shift Ukraine from Soviet to NATO Weapons
“It would just be easier if we were using similar systems,” said one expert, as U.S. officials mull long–term efforts to resupply Ukraine’s arsenal.
- Tara Copp
Science & Tech
Kyiv Asked for a New Kamikaze Drone to Fight Russia. The Air Force Delivered Phoenix Ghost
At least 121 of the new drones are headed to Ukraine as part of the latest $800 million security package.
- Tara Copp
Threats
Air Force Raises a Last Glass to the Final Doolittle Raider
The children of Lt. Col. Dick Cole say farewell to the last of 80 men who flew the historic 1942 mission.
- Tara Copp
Policy
Aviator Cancer Bill Would Push VA to Study Toxins Air Crews Faced, Assess Links to Cancers
Ground crew and flight crew cancers would be reviewed. So would the fuels, chemicals, and emissions they were exposed to.
- Tara Copp
Policy
US Rushes $800M In Weapons, Helicopters to Ukraine as Russia Coils for New Offensive Into the Donbas
“We cannot rest now,” says Biden, as Pentagon officials describe “a sense of urgency” to field the most advanced arms it’s offered Ukraine yet, as quickly as possible.
- Tara Copp and Jacqueline Feldscher
Threats
DIA Warns China’s Space Tech Seeks to Block U.S. Radars, Jam Munitions
Beijing’s rapid acquisition of counter-space capabilities is most worrisome, says a new 80-page Defense Intelligence Agency report.
- Tara Copp
Threats
After Losses, Russia Regroups for the Donbas and Names ‘Butcher of Syria’ Head of Ukraine Ops
A convoy of artillery, aviation support is heading toward Izium. ‘We’re all bracing ourselves’ for what’s next, Pentagon says.
- Tara Copp
Business
Space Symposium 2022 Conference Wire: Sky Eyes
The intelligence community is relying on commercial satellite imagery to keep tabs on Russia, and more from Day 2.
- Tara Copp