Problem
Military needs often become unclear when users and builders work apart.
Action
Place military users and technology builders on one team to solve a specific operational need.
Outcome
The team produces technology that works in real operations.
Chapter: Unit X
Problem
Teams repeat costly mistakes when they hide failed decisions.
Action
Record each failure and use its cause to guide the next decision.
Outcome
Future decisions become safer and more effective.
Chapter: Zeroized
Problem
Long planning cycles can produce systems that do not meet field needs.
Action
Give a simple prototype to real users and improve it based on their feedback.
Outcome
Useful systems reach the field faster.
Chapter: The Gonkulator
Problem
Slow information flow gives an adversary more time to move or strike.
Action
Connect sensors, analysis, decision-making, and weapons in a single, fast process.
Outcome
Forces can respond before a target escapes or attacks.
Chapter: A New Kill Chain for North Korea
Problem
A temporary innovation team cannot create lasting change from the edge of an organization.
Action
Give the team a permanent mission, stable authority, and access to senior leaders.
Outcome
New technology becomes part of normal defense operations.
Chapter: Unit X Loses the X
Problem
Automated systems can cause harm when responsibility for their decisions is unclear.
Action
Assign human responsibility for every important use of military automation.
Outcome
Forces can use machines while keeping people accountable.
Chapter: Washington and the Rise of the Machines
Problem
Startups cannot survive on small trials without a path to large contracts.
Action
Connect successful trials to clear purchase plans that attract private capital.
Outcome
More startups can build and supply useful defense technology.
Chapter: Venture Capital Goes to War
Problem
Battlefield needs to change faster than traditional weapons programs can respond.
Action
Update commercial drones, software, and communications from direct battlefield feedback.
Outcome
Forces adapt faster than the enemy.
Chapter: Ukraine and the Battlefield of the Future
Problem
Hardware alone cannot keep pace with rapidly evolving threats.
Action
Design military systems so that software can improve their abilities after deployment.
Outcome
Existing equipment stays useful as missions and threats change.
Chapter: From Steel to Silicon