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Unit X: How the Pentagon and Silicon Valley Are Transforming the Future of War Audio CD – Unabridged, June 11, 2024
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A vast and largely unseen transformation of how war is fought as profound as the invention of gunpowder or advent of the nuclear age is occurring. Flying cars that can land like helicopters, artificial intelligence-powered drones that can fly into buildings and map their interiors, microsatellites that can see through clouds and monitor rogue missile sites--all these and more are becoming part of America's DIU-fast-tracked arsenal.
Until recently, the Pentagon was known for its uncomfortable relationship with Silicon Valley and for slow-moving processes that acted as a brake on innovation. Unit X was specifically built to build a bridge to Valley technologists and accelerate bringing state of the art software and hardware to the battle space. Given authority to cut through red tape and function almost as a venture capital firm, Shah, Kirchhoff, and others in the Unit who came after were tasked particularly with meeting immediate military needs with technology from Valley startups rather than from so-called "primes"--behemoth companies like Lockheed, Raytheon, and Boeing.
Taking us inside AI labs, drone workshops, and battle command centers--and, also, overseas to Ukraine's frontlines--Shah and Kirchhoff paint a fascinating picture of what it takes to stay dominant in a fast-changing and often precarious geopolitical landscape.
In an era when America's chief rival, China, has ordered that all commercial firms within its borders make their research and technology available for military exploitation, strengthening the relationship between Washington and Silicon Valley was always advisable. Today, it is an urgent necessity.
- Print length1 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherBlackstone Publishing, Inc.
- Publication dateJune 11, 2024
- Dimensions6.44 x 5.88 x 1.88 inches
- ISBN-101797180975
- ISBN-13978-1797180977
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- Publisher : Blackstone Publishing, Inc.; Unabridged edition (June 11, 2024)
- Language : English
- Audio CD : 1 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1797180975
- ISBN-13 : 978-1797180977
- Item Weight : 7.4 ounces
- Dimensions : 6.44 x 5.88 x 1.88 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #70,844 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #23 in Conventional Weapons & Warfare History (Books)
- #30 in Books on CD
- #127 in United States National Government
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About the author
![Christopher Kirchhoff](https://cdn.statically.io/img/m.media-amazon.com/images/S/amzn-author-media-prod/4ebpiql7ngjmjn87vtou9ke600._SY600_.jpg)
Christopher Kirchhoff, an expert in emerging technology, helped create the Defense Innovation Unit, which he continues to advise for. During the Obama administration, he was the director of strategic planning for the National Security Council and senior civilian adviser to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Chris obtained an AB degree from Harvard College and a PhD in social and political sciences from Cambridge University.
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Shah and Kirchhoff present a compelling case for why Unit X was necessary — the DoD’s challenge, given the Department’s bureaucratic hurdles, cultural clashes, and institutional inertia, to keep up with the rapid pace of technological change and the increasing complexity of global threats. They highlight how the DIU sought to import Silicon Valley’s agile and iterative development methodologies into the rigid and risk-averse environment of military procurement.
One of the book’s major strengths is its insider perspective. Shah, a former director of the DIU, and Kirchhoff, a senior advisor with a background in national security, provide unique and privileged insights into the Pentagon’s internal dynamics. Their firsthand experiences lend credibility and depth to their analysis, allowing readers to understand the nuanced challenges of implementing change in such a vast and complex organization.
The book also utilizes personal stories of individuals who played pivotal roles in the DIU’s journey to humanize the broader institutional struggles, making the technical and bureaucratic aspects more relatable and emotionally engaging. For instance, the authors recount DIU leaders’ efforts to navigate political landmines and secure buy-in from skeptical military officials.
However, “Unit X” is not without its shortcomings. While the book provides a thorough account of the DIU’s formation and early successes, it occasionally veers into overly technical jargon, with phrases such as ‘agile and iterative development methodologies,’ that might be challenging for readers without a background in defense or technology. (For context, these methodologies refer to the flexible and continuous approach to software development commonly used in Silicon Valley, which was a key part of the DIU’s strategy.) This reliance on heavily technical language could alienate a broader audience who might otherwise be interested in the subject matter.
Further, the book’s heavy focus on the successes of the DIU can, at times, prevent a critical examination of its limitations and failures. While Shah and Kirchhoff acknowledge some setbacks, such as the challenges in gaining acceptance from the traditional military establishment, they gloss over the initiative’s more contentious or less successful aspects, such as specific projects that did not meet their objectives or instances where the DIU’s approach was not well-received. A more balanced critique, including a deeper exploration of the DIU’s shortcomings and lessons learned, would have provided a richer, more nuanced narrative.
Despite these drawbacks, “Unit X” significantly contributes to the military innovation and defense reform discourse by providing a crucial resource for understanding how current geopolitical tensions and the accelerating pace of technological change are impacting defense considerations within the DoD. As nations worldwide grapple with integrating emerging technologies into their defense strategies, the DIU’s experiences offer valuable lessons on fostering innovation within large, bureaucratic institutions.
The authors raise important questions about the future of military procurement and the role of private-sector partnerships in national defense. They argue convincingly that for the U.S. to maintain its strategic edge, it must continue to embrace non-traditional approaches to innovation and leverage the strengths of its vibrant tech industry. This should involve more collaboration with tech companies, more flexible procurement processes, and a greater focus on rapid prototyping and experimentation.
“Unit X” is a captivating and insightful exploration of the Defense Innovation Unit’s journey. By documenting the DIU’s achievements and challenges, Shah and Kirchhoff provide a potential roadmap for future efforts to modernize and innovate within the defense sector.
1. At first, a scary campfire story about why you shouldn’t join government
2. Ultimately an inspiring account of actually how a person (well two) can actually make huge change. Bravo
3. A very thoughtful set of takes on how new tech is changing warfare
4. As someone who reads a lot about Ukraine, tech, Silicon Valley, and conflict, a series of genuinely fresh ideas most pages
5. A gripping read
Slightly hyperbolic in the last chapter but books are easy to start and difficult to end
Easily the best book related to conflict or public service I’ve read in some time