Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard Raj M. Shah & Christopher Kirchhoff (on the military-industrial complex)
Aug 15, 2024
Raj M. Shah, a tech entrepreneur and former director at the Pentagon's Defense Innovation Unit, and Christopher Kirchhoff, founder of the Pentagon’s Silicon Valley office, delve into the military-industrial complex. They tackle the lag between military and civilian tech, emphasizing the potential of collaborations with Silicon Valley. Raj and Christopher discuss the rise of drones in warfare, the bureaucratic hurdles in military contracts, and the need for modernization. They also express optimism about young innovators driving change in military technology.
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Shift in R&D Funding
- Historically, the US government was the largest funder of R&D, leading to military and consumer tech advancements.
- The shift occurred in the mid-80s when private sector R&D surpassed government funding, but the government's processes didn't adapt.
Consumer Tech vs. Military Tech
- Raj Shah flew an F-16 in Iraq near the Iranian border without a moving map.
- He realized his $30 million jet's technology lagged behind a $300 consumer GPS.
Software's Impact on Warfare
- The rise of software significantly changed warfare, making it crucial for military effectiveness.
- Secretary Ash Carter predicted in 2001 that commercial technology, like machine learning and software, would be key to military power.