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Mission possible? Navigating tech adoption in the DoD. (Source: CyberWire Special Edition)

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Cover art for CyberWire Special Edition episode 77 featuring Pete Newell.
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Brandon interviewed BMNT founder Pete Newell about “mission acceleration,” why defense innovation is a people problem more than a tech problem, and how to move operator-validated ideas through the Pentagon’s maze.

Key topics

  • Pete outlined how human-centered design and honest problem framing beat flashy prototypes when combat units need change fast.
  • Education gaps—especially around acquisitions and data rights—still keep many DoD teams from absorbing commercial tech.
  • Brandon pressed for pragmatic steps: embed venture coaches with program offices, give warfighters recurring reps articulating problems, and de-risk pilots with outcome-based metrics.