#analysis
The book Unit X: How the Pentagon and Silicon Valley Are Transforming the Future of War by Raj M. Shah and Christopher Kirchhoff explores the Pentagon’s efforts to incorporate commercial technology into military operations. It focuses on the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), launched in 2015, which aimed to bridge the gap between Silicon Valley and the Department of Defense. DIU has faced significant bureaucratic resistance but has achieved notable successes, such as automating air operations and leveraging commercial innovations in military missions. Despite these advancements, traditional defense contractors still dominate Pentagon contracts, and widespread transformation remains elusive. However, DIU has demonstrated that commercial tech can be effective in military contexts, helping shift Silicon Valley’s stance toward national security.
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