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Unit X: How the Pentagon and Silicon Valley Are Transforming the Future of War
A riveting inside look at an elite unit within the Pentagon—the Defense Innovation Unit, also known as Unit X—whose mission is to bring Silicon Valley’s cutting-edge technology to America’s from the two men who launched the unit.
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.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 9, 2024
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October 11, 2024
“Imagine a stealthy electric flying car that lands like a helicopter, flies in near silence, and can autonomously navigate behind enemy lines to drop off, pick up, or resupply U.S. forces. Or tiny AI-powered quadcopters that can map the inside of a building and recognize faces of terrorists before Navy SEALs break down the door. Or a constellation of microsatellites that can see through clouds, enabling intelligence agencies to keep a constant eye on ISIS troop movements and North Korean missiles. Or a fleet of seagoing drones that can scan for threats for a fraction of the price of a single navy destroyer, for years at a time. All these advanced technologies – and many more like them – were being developed…They were designed not by brand-name defense companies but by plucky startups in Silicon Valley. And guess what? The U.S. military barely knew anything about them…”
- Raj M. Shah and Christopher Kirchoff, Unit X: How the Pentagon and Silicon Valley are Transforming the Future of War
The budget for the United States military is enormous. Last year, it came in at a staggering $820 billion. Unfortunately, it has become exceedingly clear in the past several years that despite spending all this money, the American armed forces have begun to lag with regard to its peer competitors, such as China and Russia. Indeed, in crucial areas such as hypersonic weapons and unmanned vehicles, the United States has fallen woefully behind.
Some of this is the result of America’s Middle Eastern Wars, a twenty-year period in which the military establishment focused intently on a very specific form of counterinsurgent warfare that will have little bearing in a superpower conflict. Some of this is the result of outmoded thinking and reliance on super-pricey legacy systems – such as aircraft carriers – that look really neat but have become increasingly vulnerable to advanced weaponry.
Much of this has to do with the so-called military-industrial complex, which has shriveled down to five major contractors known as “the Primes:” Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Raytheon, Boeing, and Northrup Grummond.
Reliance on these companies has created an inbred system in which failed projects, cost overruns, excruciatingly slow pipelines, and technology outmoded before operationality is not a bug, but a feature. The Primes feast on delicious tax dollars while providing marginal returns on investment. Boeing, for example, cannot keep its commercial jetliners in the air during times of peace, yet America is trusting it to remain on the cutting edge in war. It is a terrifying prospect for anyone living under the United States’s military umbrella, and an infuriating prospect for taxpayers, who have the right to expect that their dollars will be utilized effectively, if not always efficiently.
In Unit X, Raj M. Shah and Christopher Kirchoff tell the story of a group of men and women who saw a looming disaster, and sought to change the trajectory of the military procurement process, focused on finding high-tech projects suited for the twenty-first century, and streamlining the process of bringing them online. Given that they were the founders of Unit X, Shah and Kirchoff are in a unique position to present this tale, and provide a rather positive look at the potential advantages of more diverse military-private sector relationships.
Whether or not it’s already too late remains to be seen.
***
Unit X is a book that starts slow, ends slow, and does its best work in the middle. It grabs you with a sharply etched anecdote – with Shah flying an F-16 with outdated mapping technology on the border of Iraq and Iran, unsure of exactly where he was located – and then delves into the creation of Unit X.
The Defense Innovation Unit X – the “X” for experimental – was the brainchild of Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter. He tapped the authors – Shah was a fighter pilot who went to the Wharton School of Business; Kirchoff served in President Obama’s National Security Council – with finding ways to adapt commercial technology for military applications.
Obviously, it’s important to know how this unit formed, but it’s not necessarily exciting. It is, in fact, the opposite of exciting – or more precisely, the second cousin of boring – a stultifying tour of a wasteful and arbitrary budgetary process, filled with faceless staffers wielding power incommensurate with their unelected statuses. Suffice to say, the creation of Unit X, and it’s survival, comes as something of a minor miracle.
***
The book becomes much better when it gets the setup out of the way, and starts giving examples of what it did. Some of those are given in the excerpt at the top of the page.
For instance, Unit X went to the massive airbase in Qatar, where airmen were scheduling in-air refueling flights – requiring intense, complex coordination – with tools little better than an abacus. This was part of an issue that Northrup had been tasked with solving. Unfortunately – but not shockingly – Northrup was $300 million over budget, three years late, and still hadn’t done anything. Unit X arrived, developed an app for the price of $1.3 million, and solved the problem. Because of the high costs for refueling, the efficiencies created by the app meant that it paid for itself in a week.
This is bracing stuff, and constituted the best parts of Unit X. These pages flew by, and left me wanting more.
The success of Unit X drew immediate pushback, of course. Not because they did poor work, but the opposite. The Primes did not like the idea of an entity cutting into their profit margins, potentially forcing them – gasp – to do quality work on time and on budget.
Unit X also faced difficulties with regard to Silicon Valley’s reluctance to partner with the military. Google employees, for example, signed a petition when they learned that the company was working on facial recognition software that could be used in drone strikes. Ultimately, though, money – and the promise of more money – ignited the fires of patriotism in a number of tech firms.
***
If I have to choose between a book written by a participant, or one written by a third party, I will always choose the latter. To be sure, the first-person perspective is valuable. Yet it also comes with a certain lack of objectivity. Shah and Kirchoff are extremely smart, capable, and successful, and they let you know about it repeatedly. It can get old, seeing them pat themselves on the back so often it had to have left bruises. They also narrate Unit X with a semi-obnoxious amount of corporate-speak.
The other problem that comes from Shah and Kirchoff’s limited perspective is that they end up leaving Unit X long before Unit X concludes. Thus, the end of the book is an aimless meander. Instead of learning more about gadgetry – the cheap synthetic aperture radar satellites meant to see through clouds were especially interesting – we are treated to bland filler, which drifts far afield from the core focus.
To take one example, Shah and Kirchoff deliver some recommendations for the future. This includes a national military service requirement for all Americans. While wonderful in theory, it’s a notion that doesn’t make much sense in practice. Shah and Kirchoff do not describe where the extra billions of dollars are coming from to train, clothe, feed, arm, and house millions of new and unwilling soldiers, much less provide them benefits and healthcare; they don’t give any idea of what these soldiers are going to be doing; and they don’t explain why they spent two-thirds of a book extolling autonomous planes and ships, but then suddenly decide the United States needs the largest standing army in its history. In short, it’s the kind of thing you put down on paper when you’ve run out of things to say.
***
As we’ve seen in the Russo-Ukrainian War, some aspects of warfare will always remain the same. It will always be a source of misery, suffering, and violent death. But that war has also vividly illustrated the prevalence of new technologies – such as drones – and the way those technologies have reshaped the battlefield. Even though the United States pioneered the use of lethal drones – such as the expensive Predator, which is remotely piloted like a plane – it lags in the development of cheap machines that can be used to swarm and overwhelm far costlier systems, such as tanks or ships. In pointing this out, in amplifying the call for real change to the standard way of doing business, Unit X has real value, even if that value is more substantive than literary.
- Raj M. Shah and Christopher Kirchoff, Unit X: How the Pentagon and Silicon Valley are Transforming the Future of War
The budget for the United States military is enormous. Last year, it came in at a staggering $820 billion. Unfortunately, it has become exceedingly clear in the past several years that despite spending all this money, the American armed forces have begun to lag with regard to its peer competitors, such as China and Russia. Indeed, in crucial areas such as hypersonic weapons and unmanned vehicles, the United States has fallen woefully behind.
Some of this is the result of America’s Middle Eastern Wars, a twenty-year period in which the military establishment focused intently on a very specific form of counterinsurgent warfare that will have little bearing in a superpower conflict. Some of this is the result of outmoded thinking and reliance on super-pricey legacy systems – such as aircraft carriers – that look really neat but have become increasingly vulnerable to advanced weaponry.
Much of this has to do with the so-called military-industrial complex, which has shriveled down to five major contractors known as “the Primes:” Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Raytheon, Boeing, and Northrup Grummond.
Reliance on these companies has created an inbred system in which failed projects, cost overruns, excruciatingly slow pipelines, and technology outmoded before operationality is not a bug, but a feature. The Primes feast on delicious tax dollars while providing marginal returns on investment. Boeing, for example, cannot keep its commercial jetliners in the air during times of peace, yet America is trusting it to remain on the cutting edge in war. It is a terrifying prospect for anyone living under the United States’s military umbrella, and an infuriating prospect for taxpayers, who have the right to expect that their dollars will be utilized effectively, if not always efficiently.
In Unit X, Raj M. Shah and Christopher Kirchoff tell the story of a group of men and women who saw a looming disaster, and sought to change the trajectory of the military procurement process, focused on finding high-tech projects suited for the twenty-first century, and streamlining the process of bringing them online. Given that they were the founders of Unit X, Shah and Kirchoff are in a unique position to present this tale, and provide a rather positive look at the potential advantages of more diverse military-private sector relationships.
Whether or not it’s already too late remains to be seen.
***
Unit X is a book that starts slow, ends slow, and does its best work in the middle. It grabs you with a sharply etched anecdote – with Shah flying an F-16 with outdated mapping technology on the border of Iraq and Iran, unsure of exactly where he was located – and then delves into the creation of Unit X.
The Defense Innovation Unit X – the “X” for experimental – was the brainchild of Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter. He tapped the authors – Shah was a fighter pilot who went to the Wharton School of Business; Kirchoff served in President Obama’s National Security Council – with finding ways to adapt commercial technology for military applications.
Obviously, it’s important to know how this unit formed, but it’s not necessarily exciting. It is, in fact, the opposite of exciting – or more precisely, the second cousin of boring – a stultifying tour of a wasteful and arbitrary budgetary process, filled with faceless staffers wielding power incommensurate with their unelected statuses. Suffice to say, the creation of Unit X, and it’s survival, comes as something of a minor miracle.
***
The book becomes much better when it gets the setup out of the way, and starts giving examples of what it did. Some of those are given in the excerpt at the top of the page.
For instance, Unit X went to the massive airbase in Qatar, where airmen were scheduling in-air refueling flights – requiring intense, complex coordination – with tools little better than an abacus. This was part of an issue that Northrup had been tasked with solving. Unfortunately – but not shockingly – Northrup was $300 million over budget, three years late, and still hadn’t done anything. Unit X arrived, developed an app for the price of $1.3 million, and solved the problem. Because of the high costs for refueling, the efficiencies created by the app meant that it paid for itself in a week.
This is bracing stuff, and constituted the best parts of Unit X. These pages flew by, and left me wanting more.
The success of Unit X drew immediate pushback, of course. Not because they did poor work, but the opposite. The Primes did not like the idea of an entity cutting into their profit margins, potentially forcing them – gasp – to do quality work on time and on budget.
Unit X also faced difficulties with regard to Silicon Valley’s reluctance to partner with the military. Google employees, for example, signed a petition when they learned that the company was working on facial recognition software that could be used in drone strikes. Ultimately, though, money – and the promise of more money – ignited the fires of patriotism in a number of tech firms.
***
If I have to choose between a book written by a participant, or one written by a third party, I will always choose the latter. To be sure, the first-person perspective is valuable. Yet it also comes with a certain lack of objectivity. Shah and Kirchoff are extremely smart, capable, and successful, and they let you know about it repeatedly. It can get old, seeing them pat themselves on the back so often it had to have left bruises. They also narrate Unit X with a semi-obnoxious amount of corporate-speak.
The other problem that comes from Shah and Kirchoff’s limited perspective is that they end up leaving Unit X long before Unit X concludes. Thus, the end of the book is an aimless meander. Instead of learning more about gadgetry – the cheap synthetic aperture radar satellites meant to see through clouds were especially interesting – we are treated to bland filler, which drifts far afield from the core focus.
To take one example, Shah and Kirchoff deliver some recommendations for the future. This includes a national military service requirement for all Americans. While wonderful in theory, it’s a notion that doesn’t make much sense in practice. Shah and Kirchoff do not describe where the extra billions of dollars are coming from to train, clothe, feed, arm, and house millions of new and unwilling soldiers, much less provide them benefits and healthcare; they don’t give any idea of what these soldiers are going to be doing; and they don’t explain why they spent two-thirds of a book extolling autonomous planes and ships, but then suddenly decide the United States needs the largest standing army in its history. In short, it’s the kind of thing you put down on paper when you’ve run out of things to say.
***
As we’ve seen in the Russo-Ukrainian War, some aspects of warfare will always remain the same. It will always be a source of misery, suffering, and violent death. But that war has also vividly illustrated the prevalence of new technologies – such as drones – and the way those technologies have reshaped the battlefield. Even though the United States pioneered the use of lethal drones – such as the expensive Predator, which is remotely piloted like a plane – it lags in the development of cheap machines that can be used to swarm and overwhelm far costlier systems, such as tanks or ships. In pointing this out, in amplifying the call for real change to the standard way of doing business, Unit X has real value, even if that value is more substantive than literary.
August 18, 2024
Maybe it is a matter of my expectations, but I found this book not particular interesting. It is not a book about how the military is changing etc, but rather the personal account of author of dealing with politics and few projects.
The book has two parts - what happened in Unit X during the author tenure in it, and second, what happened afterwards.
First one is simple - there was a project, we thought we had a solution, military bureaucracy killed us, with one successful case.
The later part is mostly a peon about how VCs are important to drive this entire part of sillicon valley building a Military Industrial Complex 2.0 and hoe they fight for freedom and democracy in the world.
If there is something interesting it is the last part, like 4/5 in the book, where the author speaks about the efforts in Ukraine - I learned few facts or details I wasn't aware.
What is missing are conclusions (other then ... invest in VCs) and some actionable lessons learned from the entire endeavor.
If there is one learning from this book it is:
- You want to be a friend with Eric Schmidt and Nancy Pelosi
- Being long time in SV (two examples above) makes compounding effect of network and knowing people works for you
Picked it up with hope for interesting read, ended up with disappointment.
The book has two parts - what happened in Unit X during the author tenure in it, and second, what happened afterwards.
First one is simple - there was a project, we thought we had a solution, military bureaucracy killed us, with one successful case.
The later part is mostly a peon about how VCs are important to drive this entire part of sillicon valley building a Military Industrial Complex 2.0 and hoe they fight for freedom and democracy in the world.
If there is something interesting it is the last part, like 4/5 in the book, where the author speaks about the efforts in Ukraine - I learned few facts or details I wasn't aware.
What is missing are conclusions (other then ... invest in VCs) and some actionable lessons learned from the entire endeavor.
If there is one learning from this book it is:
- You want to be a friend with Eric Schmidt and Nancy Pelosi
- Being long time in SV (two examples above) makes compounding effect of network and knowing people works for you
Picked it up with hope for interesting read, ended up with disappointment.
Read
January 18, 2025Last year, I discovered that the Financial Times’ shortlist of the best business books is often worth exploring to stay informed about developments in technology, business, and politics. This book certainly lived up to that standard.
Not only did it provide insight into the background and history (at least from a defense perspective) of the growing ties between Silicon Valley and Washington—something brought into sharp focus by this election—but it also offered a interesting glimpse into how Washington operates. Is it enjoyable to read? Absolutely. However, it is also personal, as much of the strategic pivot is directed toward China.
My only hope is that in 5, 10, or 20 years, when we reflect on today, we won’t conclude that this was, in fact, a better time in world history.
Not only did it provide insight into the background and history (at least from a defense perspective) of the growing ties between Silicon Valley and Washington—something brought into sharp focus by this election—but it also offered a interesting glimpse into how Washington operates. Is it enjoyable to read? Absolutely. However, it is also personal, as much of the strategic pivot is directed toward China.
My only hope is that in 5, 10, or 20 years, when we reflect on today, we won’t conclude that this was, in fact, a better time in world history.
January 12, 2025
This is a book that simply had to disappoint. Why? The most interesting questions are related to the recent developments that are typically: 1/ confidential; 2/ not bragged about (due to political/social correctness); 3/ quickly outdated; 4/ very one-sided (we know very little of corresponding development outside of US). And yes, I am a bit disappointed.
The first part of this book is dedicated mostly to how the rift between the US military & modern tech sector was "born" (& developed further). It's quite informative, but also pretty long (hence boring). The further we get into the lecture, the more we're told about attempts to change that status. There's very little on technology - but far more on bureaucracy, inertia, or personal impact of key decision-makers across various "eras" in DoD & Govt. That part ... is even less fascinating, well, maybe, except if you're Mario Draghi or another figure in the EU Commission (interested in learning from other mistakes).
Fortunately, around chapter 7, things start to get better. Chapters 7 & 8 are dedicated mostly to modern conflicts and how they spurred the changes. There's a bunch of interesting details on how and were tech was applied, on how US entrepreneurs coop with UA military, on the innovation cycles, etc. Still - there's very little on hard data and tech details, but still - those chapters were far better than the previous ones. The last one (no 9) is not bad either - dedicated mostly to what's ahead and why innovation will be even more important in keeping control over the battlefield. I totally agree with the predicted direction, but again - for obvious reasons - the depth of consideration and the amount of details was far from making me happy.
In the end - it's DEFINITELY not a must-read. Even if you're into geopolitics or military. It's probably more value (+1 star?) for folks who are knee-deep into industries of high inertia. There may be some lessons (on how to navigate & act under such circumstances) for them there.
The first part of this book is dedicated mostly to how the rift between the US military & modern tech sector was "born" (& developed further). It's quite informative, but also pretty long (hence boring). The further we get into the lecture, the more we're told about attempts to change that status. There's very little on technology - but far more on bureaucracy, inertia, or personal impact of key decision-makers across various "eras" in DoD & Govt. That part ... is even less fascinating, well, maybe, except if you're Mario Draghi or another figure in the EU Commission (interested in learning from other mistakes).
Fortunately, around chapter 7, things start to get better. Chapters 7 & 8 are dedicated mostly to modern conflicts and how they spurred the changes. There's a bunch of interesting details on how and were tech was applied, on how US entrepreneurs coop with UA military, on the innovation cycles, etc. Still - there's very little on hard data and tech details, but still - those chapters were far better than the previous ones. The last one (no 9) is not bad either - dedicated mostly to what's ahead and why innovation will be even more important in keeping control over the battlefield. I totally agree with the predicted direction, but again - for obvious reasons - the depth of consideration and the amount of details was far from making me happy.
In the end - it's DEFINITELY not a must-read. Even if you're into geopolitics or military. It's probably more value (+1 star?) for folks who are knee-deep into industries of high inertia. There may be some lessons (on how to navigate & act under such circumstances) for them there.
July 25, 2024
This was an extremely revealing look into how defense innovation has changed over the past decade, but it felt at times whimsically techno-futurist. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but I would have appreciated a more rigorous exploration (beyond an anecdote about water iteratively filling a swimming pool at an exponential rate) into what technological progress historically looks like in the military. Without that, the futurism is a little hard to swallow.
January 20, 2025
This book should be required reading for all innovators in the military. A call to action for change of an antiquated defense industrial/military base, that is also facing future dangers of antagonists such as China, North Korea, Iraq, and Russia…
April 22, 2025
Het uitgangspunt staat al in de eerste bladzijden en er zijn een paar interessante projecten die ze benoemen. Voor de rest is het eerder een boek waarbij men zichzelf op de borst klopt.
January 14, 2025
I was enraged at the roadblocks and sloth like nature of our government systems (but not surprised) and hopeful that we are gaining traction in the innovation ecosystem despite those shortcomings.
Highly recommended to anyone interested in innovation and technology’s ability to help win the next war…or as the book says, deter it from ever happening.
Highly recommended to anyone interested in innovation and technology’s ability to help win the next war…or as the book says, deter it from ever happening.
July 18, 2024
“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.
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.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2024
Authors Raj Shah and Christopher Kirchhoff explore the intersection of military innovation, technological advancement, and the modernization (and challenges) of military acquisition. In an otherwise frustrating, complex, and slow system of military procurement and change, “unit X” stands out as a place where real progress has been made. While the challenge will always be scaling efforts like these to service the entire DoD, there are some useful lessons for all in the book:
1. Embrace Innovation - Invest in new technologies, yes, but also foster an environment where creative thinking and new ideas can flourish, allowing for rapid adaptation to changing threats.
2. Collaboration with Tech and Industry Leaders - Partnerships aren’t only with allies, they must be between the Pentagon, academia, and industry. These collaborations can lead to breakthroughs in capabilities and shorten development time.
3. Agility and Speed - In a rapidly changing geopolitical and technological landscape, the ability to pivot quickly and implement new solutions across DOTMLPFP is vital. Our processes and bureaucracy are our own worst enemies.
4. Data-Driven Decision Making - The integration of data analytics built on a robust data infrastructure is key. By harnessing data, military leaders can make informed decisions that enhance operational effectiveness and improve situational awareness on the battlefield.
5. Human-Centered Design - Understanding the needs of soldiers is crucial and is the starting point for developing effective technologies. Adopt a design approach that prioritizes user experience, ensuring that new tools enhance rather than hinder performance in the field.
6. Ethical Considerations - The integration of advanced technologies into military operations raises ethical questions. Leaders must engage in thoughtful discussions about the implications of using AI and autonomous systems in warfare, ensuring that moral considerations guide technological advancements.
7. Continuous Learning - Everyone needs a mindset of continuous learning and adaptation; this must be part of the culture. Lessons observed must be turned into lessons learned by systematically integrating them into training, doctrine, and operations.
1. Embrace Innovation - Invest in new technologies, yes, but also foster an environment where creative thinking and new ideas can flourish, allowing for rapid adaptation to changing threats.
2. Collaboration with Tech and Industry Leaders - Partnerships aren’t only with allies, they must be between the Pentagon, academia, and industry. These collaborations can lead to breakthroughs in capabilities and shorten development time.
3. Agility and Speed - In a rapidly changing geopolitical and technological landscape, the ability to pivot quickly and implement new solutions across DOTMLPFP is vital. Our processes and bureaucracy are our own worst enemies.
4. Data-Driven Decision Making - The integration of data analytics built on a robust data infrastructure is key. By harnessing data, military leaders can make informed decisions that enhance operational effectiveness and improve situational awareness on the battlefield.
5. Human-Centered Design - Understanding the needs of soldiers is crucial and is the starting point for developing effective technologies. Adopt a design approach that prioritizes user experience, ensuring that new tools enhance rather than hinder performance in the field.
6. Ethical Considerations - The integration of advanced technologies into military operations raises ethical questions. Leaders must engage in thoughtful discussions about the implications of using AI and autonomous systems in warfare, ensuring that moral considerations guide technological advancements.
7. Continuous Learning - Everyone needs a mindset of continuous learning and adaptation; this must be part of the culture. Lessons observed must be turned into lessons learned by systematically integrating them into training, doctrine, and operations.
December 21, 2024
it delivers what it promises - it's a book about Pentagon x Silicon Valley co-operation. Talks about political events, Silicon Valley vs Washington culture, backlash at Google against working with Pentagon, breaking down the hierarchy in Pentagon (or as the author really likes saying, "hacking"). Easy to follow even with the numerous people involved. Interesting to read about the tech involved and the disconnect between the defence industry and current technology, and what events led to the CHIP act and growing tensions between US and China.
biggest issue was the shitty writing. it's just terrible. it improves when the baton is passed to the successors of Ray and Chris (maybe cus they get removed from the action).
also, couldn't stop thinking about this meme.
Born too late to deploy to the Middle East
Born too early to deploy to the Middle East
Born just in time to deploy to the Middle East
biggest issue was the shitty writing. it's just terrible. it improves when the baton is passed to the successors of Ray and Chris (maybe cus they get removed from the action).
also, couldn't stop thinking about this meme.
Born too late to deploy to the Middle East
Born too early to deploy to the Middle East
Born just in time to deploy to the Middle East
December 6, 2024
I found this book far less interesting than the title suggested. My perception is that the authors spent most of their writing on criticizing the bureaucracy and slow-moving processes at the Pentagon and in Washington. There is very little to learn about the actual Silicon Valley technologies they are trying to bring to the US military -I understand they can't write a book with military details, but then the title of this book is completely misleading. Lastly, in my view the two authors have absolutely no self-criticism and mostly write about all the great things they do and how almost everybody was an obstacle in their way.
If you want to learn about the ridiculous internal obstacles in the US to bring great ideas to the military, then this book should be interesting for you. If you want to learn how "Silicon Valley and the Pentagon are transforming the future of war", then my guess is you will be disappointed.
If you want to learn about the ridiculous internal obstacles in the US to bring great ideas to the military, then this book should be interesting for you. If you want to learn how "Silicon Valley and the Pentagon are transforming the future of war", then my guess is you will be disappointed.
November 11, 2024
Unit X: How the Pentagon and Silicon Valley Are Transforming the Future of War (2024) by Raj Shah and Christopher Kirchhoff is a book about improving the technology that the US military uses. Shah was an F-16 pilot who has an MBA built a startup. Kirchhoff worked with the Obama team on military affairs. He went to Harvard and has a PhD from Cambridge.
There is an interesting ‘Conversations with Tyler’ podcast about the book.
The book is about an important and interesting phenomena. This is that consumer IT has progressed faster than military IT and many military systems are really out of date. In 2015 the ‘Defense Innovation Unit Experimental’ (DIUx) was set up by the Secretary of Defense Ash Carter. Shah and Kirchhoff were soon made the leaders of the unit. Carter gave the unit the direct ability to report to him. This was to avoid it being blocked by other parts of the Department of Defense (DOD). Initially the unit had been unable to set up internet connects and had faced other hurdles. These were due to the Byzantine nature of the DOD.
Kirchhoff and Shah describe how they ran DIUx. They talk about how they worked to enable Silicon Valley firms to work with the DOD. There is a lot about procurement. They also got funding to get tools built for the coordination of aerial refueling and how this was successful. This is compared to long running far more expensive contracts for redoing more systems that were failing to deliver.
There are some remarkable descriptions of how DOD officials worked to block the DIUx.
About half way through the book Shah and Kirchhoff leave the DIUx and then the book becomes very different. Kirchhoff worked for Eric Schmidt from Google on improving US government technology. Shah worked on various jobs working with the DOD and tech firms. The book also discusses how drones and other technology are being used in the war in Ukraine. The DIUx went on to lose the ‘x’ and become DIU. The DIU’s budget also increased substantially.
The developments in drones and AI and their impact on war is really interesting. The book has some parts on this that are interesting. They point out that the US will have to defend against bases against small drones with bombs in counterinsurgency wars. That would make having airbases in the country very difficult. The book ponders how drones could be used in a war with China.
The book becomes quite disjointed after the DIUx part finishes. Projects are introduced in rapid fire along with the C Vs of people who worked on them. It feels like Linked In.
Unit X has some interesting parts but it’s a tough read. It becomes fairly disjointed after the DIUx work. For people really into defence technology and US military procurement it may be worth a read.
There is an interesting ‘Conversations with Tyler’ podcast about the book.
The book is about an important and interesting phenomena. This is that consumer IT has progressed faster than military IT and many military systems are really out of date. In 2015 the ‘Defense Innovation Unit Experimental’ (DIUx) was set up by the Secretary of Defense Ash Carter. Shah and Kirchhoff were soon made the leaders of the unit. Carter gave the unit the direct ability to report to him. This was to avoid it being blocked by other parts of the Department of Defense (DOD). Initially the unit had been unable to set up internet connects and had faced other hurdles. These were due to the Byzantine nature of the DOD.
Kirchhoff and Shah describe how they ran DIUx. They talk about how they worked to enable Silicon Valley firms to work with the DOD. There is a lot about procurement. They also got funding to get tools built for the coordination of aerial refueling and how this was successful. This is compared to long running far more expensive contracts for redoing more systems that were failing to deliver.
There are some remarkable descriptions of how DOD officials worked to block the DIUx.
About half way through the book Shah and Kirchhoff leave the DIUx and then the book becomes very different. Kirchhoff worked for Eric Schmidt from Google on improving US government technology. Shah worked on various jobs working with the DOD and tech firms. The book also discusses how drones and other technology are being used in the war in Ukraine. The DIUx went on to lose the ‘x’ and become DIU. The DIU’s budget also increased substantially.
The developments in drones and AI and their impact on war is really interesting. The book has some parts on this that are interesting. They point out that the US will have to defend against bases against small drones with bombs in counterinsurgency wars. That would make having airbases in the country very difficult. The book ponders how drones could be used in a war with China.
The book becomes quite disjointed after the DIUx part finishes. Projects are introduced in rapid fire along with the C Vs of people who worked on them. It feels like Linked In.
Unit X has some interesting parts but it’s a tough read. It becomes fairly disjointed after the DIUx work. For people really into defence technology and US military procurement it may be worth a read.
September 27, 2024
An amazing book that all in the government innovation and procurement space should take as their inspiration! “Unit X: How the Pentagon and Silicon Valley Are Transforming the Future of War" by Raj Shah and Christopher Kirchoff is a riveting exploration of the intersection between military strategy and cutting-edge technology. The book delves into the innovative collaborations between the U.S. Department of Defense and the tech giants of Silicon Valley, offering readers a rare glimpse into how these partnerships are shaping the future of warfare. Shah and Kirchoff, both of whom have firsthand experience in these realms, provide a detailed and fascinating narrative. They highlight the urgent need for the military to adapt to the rapid advancements in technology, and how Silicon Valley's entrepreneurial spirit and technological prowess are crucial to this transformation. The book is replete with case studies and real-world examples that illustrate the challenges and successes of integrating advanced technology into military operations. A compelling aspect of "Unit X" is its examination of the cultural and operational differences between the Pentagon and Silicon Valley. Shah and Kirchoff provide a thoughtful analysis of how these two worlds, often seen as disparate, are finding common ground. The book sheds light on the innovative programs and initiatives that have emerged from this collaboration, such as the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), which acts as a bridge between the Department of Defense and the tech industry. The authors also address the ethical and strategic implications of this partnership. They discuss the potential risks and benefits of incorporating AI, robotics, and other advanced technologies into military strategies. This balanced perspective is particularly valuable, as it encourages readers to consider the broader implications of these advancements. The narrative is well-structured, with a logical flow that guides readers through the intricacies of military-tech collaborations. The authors' expertise and insider perspectives lend credibility and depth to the discussion. “Unit X" is a thought-provoking and informative read that offers a unique insight into how the convergence of technology and defense is redefining the future of warfare. It is a must-read for anyone interested in military strategy, technological innovation, or the dynamic interplay between these two critical fields.
March 20, 2025
Interesting book that highlights the difficulty of forcing technological change through the DoD. Does a good job highlighting how AI is going to impact geopolitics and stresses the couple year window we have right now to deter China by leaning on the tech sector. The authors definitely talk their book in some sections but overall a good, quick read. It should be mandatory for anyone getting into the defense space coming from the tech world idealistic about how easy it is to work with the government.
November 1, 2024
Short and fun; the insider’s perspective on DIUx was surprisingly thrilling.
Ultimately, the book would’ve better suited as an extended essay or four-part blog post.
Ultimately, the book would’ve better suited as an extended essay or four-part blog post.
March 16, 2025
It is frightening to see that we are behind and to witness the constant stumbling blocks of bureaucracy that prevent us from staying ahead, not to conduct war, but to prevent.
September 18, 2024
Unit X is a must read for U.S. defense industry interested readers.
December 18, 2024
some insights, lots of hyperbole
too many techno flakes out there but you'll lean something
............
oh, what?
you thought I was going to say 'learn something'
too many techno flakes out there but you'll lean something
............
oh, what?
you thought I was going to say 'learn something'
December 27, 2024
Finished it in two days. Couldn’t put it down, and immediately have about 8-10 folks that I can’t wait to send it to.
January 20, 2025
An interesting and exciting book about a serious, timely topic. It's highly informative about how military acquisitions actually work, and you learn a lot about DoD bureaucracy. Drones are the future.
I learned a lot in this. Well worth it.
I learned a lot in this. Well worth it.
August 23, 2024
Good read about a small group of people empowered to rapidly field systems with emerging technologies to troops in need. Very interesting.
Read
August 15, 2025what a fustercluck
May 5, 2025
It’s an interesting premise - and one which definitely comes most to life in the chapters on how the Russia/Ukraine war has been transformed by very modern technology and what the implications of that could be in Taiwan as/when China invade.
But the core of the book is very honest about what the barriers to defence innovation in the US are (entrenched procurement systems, enormous corporations dominating and gatekeeping within the Pentagon). And to be honest that it makes it feel like a bit of a slog at points.
But the core of the book is very honest about what the barriers to defence innovation in the US are (entrenched procurement systems, enormous corporations dominating and gatekeeping within the Pentagon). And to be honest that it makes it feel like a bit of a slog at points.
May 10, 2025
Tons of new information and perspectives!!! Highly recommended
July 2, 2024
Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone interested in the state of the modern military. The book achieves its purpose convincingly and relatively economically. First, it establishes the problem of bloat, waste, and outdated technology within the DoD. The reader may already be familiar with some of this (a $43 million gas station in Afghanistan made headlines a few years ago), but the authors shared some insightful and, frankly, troubling anecdotes from their own experiences. The most memorable example, and the one that best illustrates the problem, detailed how all of the aerial refueling operations in the CENTCOM AOR were coordinated using hand calculations, excel spreadsheets, and whiteboards.
After establishing the problem, the book details the history of Defense Innovation Unit X (or DIU X, the organization that gave the book its title), including its early challenges and how the authors of the book came to the organization. The crux of the book lies in how Silicon Valley technology and the culture of speed and efficiency that surrounds it can be applied to many of the problems facing the DoD. The book holds that this approach can be used to deliver solutions faster, cheaper, and better, and backs up this hypothesis with real-world examples where DIU X did just that. On this score, the book was quite successful.
There were some things about the book that felt a little bit off, most of which stemmed from the fact that the authors were deeply enmeshed in the story while also trying to sketch a larger picture. As a result, the book is a not-quite memoir, not-quite history, which resulted in some awkwardness, including some jarring transitions between the first and third persons. The degree of involvement of the authors means that the reader gets to hear some fascinating firsthand accounts, but this comes at the cost of an obvious bias. DIU’s failures, when they’re mentioned at all, are attributed to external forces, like the entrenched bureaucracy of the pentagon, the meddling of congress, or the shadowy actions of large defense contractors. I’m not questioning the power or menace of these forces, but it is clear that the reader is only getting one side of the story.
Even so, DIU’s victories in the face of these challenges are commendable, and what they are able to accomplish with such a small budget and staff should give hope to all American readers that there can be a better way.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the advance copy.
After establishing the problem, the book details the history of Defense Innovation Unit X (or DIU X, the organization that gave the book its title), including its early challenges and how the authors of the book came to the organization. The crux of the book lies in how Silicon Valley technology and the culture of speed and efficiency that surrounds it can be applied to many of the problems facing the DoD. The book holds that this approach can be used to deliver solutions faster, cheaper, and better, and backs up this hypothesis with real-world examples where DIU X did just that. On this score, the book was quite successful.
There were some things about the book that felt a little bit off, most of which stemmed from the fact that the authors were deeply enmeshed in the story while also trying to sketch a larger picture. As a result, the book is a not-quite memoir, not-quite history, which resulted in some awkwardness, including some jarring transitions between the first and third persons. The degree of involvement of the authors means that the reader gets to hear some fascinating firsthand accounts, but this comes at the cost of an obvious bias. DIU’s failures, when they’re mentioned at all, are attributed to external forces, like the entrenched bureaucracy of the pentagon, the meddling of congress, or the shadowy actions of large defense contractors. I’m not questioning the power or menace of these forces, but it is clear that the reader is only getting one side of the story.
Even so, DIU’s victories in the face of these challenges are commendable, and what they are able to accomplish with such a small budget and staff should give hope to all American readers that there can be a better way.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the advance copy.
July 22, 2025
accidentally read a book about my job. it was alright
March 26, 2025
Maybe I expected too much with this book. I think a nuanced, well thought-out study of what is wrong with our current system, and how best to improve/accelerate it, would make a great read. This instead reads like the story my 6 year old would give me if he got in trouble on the playground. The ending pays lip service to how we need to balance innovation with the current defense structure we have, which comes as a shock considering the rest of the book is pretty openly hostile to any opposition. 'Primes' are bloated, lazy, self satisfied entities that can't do quality work. Google engineers who don't want their work to go towards making a more efficient war machine are naive, ungrateful, maybe even un-American.
At no point do the authors lay out concerns with commercializing our military, with 'move fast and break things' being applied to the deadliest killing force in history, with really any of their viewpoints. The lack of introspection is startling and while some of the anecdotes are intriguing and eye opening, the whole thing reads like propaganda, and ultimately left me feeling wholly depressed.
At no point do the authors lay out concerns with commercializing our military, with 'move fast and break things' being applied to the deadliest killing force in history, with really any of their viewpoints. The lack of introspection is startling and while some of the anecdotes are intriguing and eye opening, the whole thing reads like propaganda, and ultimately left me feeling wholly depressed.
July 30, 2024
The subject is fascinating with a great insight into the machinations of the Pentagon and the tech frontiers of conflict.
However the book is in need of a tight edit. It is both chronological and thematic. There is repetition between chapters. In fact it almost feels like chapters had different authors and no one has bothered to read the whole thing from start to finish.
However the book is in need of a tight edit. It is both chronological and thematic. There is repetition between chapters. In fact it almost feels like chapters had different authors and no one has bothered to read the whole thing from start to finish.
February 6, 2025
Audio version
Really boring
Really boring
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