Great book. Outstanding research by the authors. The lead in about the computer in an F-16 aircraft being 15 years out of date once the plane was delivered, such that the pilot had to use his iPhone instead speaks volumes.

The fascinating study called "Unit X: How the Pentagon and Silicone Valley are Transforming the Future of War," written by the two founders of the principal organization at the center of the text, the Defense Innovation Unit, is a fascinating systemic study of the way in which technology is changing the way in which modern weapons are solicited and procured. The Co-Authors, Raj M. Shah and Christopher Kirchhoff, are well positioned to explain the often astoundingly Byzantine way in which weapons have up to now been procured and the consequences for all of us should it not change. I am working from an ARC kindly provided me by the publisher, Scribner. This book belongs on the shelf of anyone who has ever been confused by the procurement process utilized by the Pentagon and wondered why it is often, quite justly, criticized as slow and unresponsive. The text offers no shortage of examples of what happens when an archaic and cumbersome system driven by outdated assumptions confronts the need for a much more nimble and needs driven approach. The architects of this new approach look principally toward venture capitalism informed by developments in Silicone Valley and the transformative vision which it offers in terms of weapons and the ways in which they are bought and paid for as well as the speed with which this procurement and deployment can be accomplished. The authors look at ongoing developments in Asia, largely surrounding Taiwan, and the often surprising turns of events in the Ukraine for useful guideposts to a new way of looking at the development and deployment of high tech, but affordable, weapons predicated upon a more rationalized approach to problem solving. The overarching thematic concern here is with overhauling the ways in which private capital can be leveraged to reach our goals while at the same time, massive changes in timelines for deployment can be shown to be a logical consequence of efficiencies that are already making themselves felt on battlefields in the Ukraine and Middle East. While it is often frustrating to think about how inept our existing systems are, it is important to note that they are grounded in hard fought lessons learned in the past; unfortunately the speed with which technology has advanced is a major challenge to the older assumptions rooted in World War II. New ideas are necessary if we are to compete effectively on future battlefields and perhaps even deter the necessity of things coming to armed conflict. There is a lot here to think about, and it can be slow going, but this book should be mandatory reading for our nations leaders and their advisors. It is not too late to leverage the advantages of our existing system of finance, through venture capitalism (think here of what happens when one or more entrepreneurs like Elon Musk intervenes in a stodgy system with an openness to new technologies and the systems that support them as in SpaceX). This book belongs in every academic library.

I'm afraid that November 2024 is upon us. Unit X is an amazing example of an opportunity for future American ingenuity; but not without collective cooperation. How the hell are we so different? That, I don't understand.

This book is a must read for Americans wishing to defend our country against the inevitable push by today's axis of evil (China, Russia, North Korea.....). It our Paul Revere moment. Please read this book!!!

“Unit X” by Raj Shah and Christopher Kirchhoff examines the complicated world of military innovation and strategic transformation within the United States Department of Defense (DoD). Shah and Kirchoff bring their extensive experience in the defense and technology sectors to examine how the Pentagon has navigated the challenges of modern warfare. Unsurprisingly, their focus is on establishing “Unit X” — later known as the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) — a groundbreaking initiative to bridge the gap between Silicon Valley’s technological advancements and the traditionally bureaucratic military establishment. 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.

As a former SVG insider and SF inv. banker I'm well acquainted with the challenges of startups, A-round, and private equity financing. Unit X clearly spells out the challenges in technology adoption against what was once called "the walled garden" effect. In essence, a business trying to break through an immovable object...in this instance the Pentagon. The infighting at both the congressional level and the military as a whole is simply staggering in its inertia. When even talking about saving warfighter lives and the promise of saving billions of $$ the authors Raj and Chris, weave an incredibly compelling story of frustration and hope!

Excellent book, but not an easy read because of all the names and references.