US EditionPentagon's innovation unit chief resigns in latest shake-up, sources say
Doug Beck resigned amid scrutiny over his political donations to Democrats, during a period of significant Pentagon leadership changes involving key defense officials.
- On Aug 25, Doug Beck resigned as director of the Silicon Valley-based Defence Innovation Unit, notifying staff by email of his departure.
- Department of Defence officials had flagged concerns over his political donations, and his exit follows a series of Pentagon personnel moves last week.
- Beck had overseen the DIU's push into autonomous systems, appointed director in 2023 by then-Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, leading the Replicator initiative acquiring thousands of autonomous aerial and maritime drones.
- The DIU will transition to new leadership overseen by Emil Michael, Under Secretary of Defence for Research and Engineering, as it continues working with military technology firms on drones and AI-driven weapons.
- Launched in 2015, the Defence Innovation Unit received close to US$1 billion in 2024 and primarily contracts startups to transition them to larger Pentagon projects.
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Defense Department tech innovation chief steps down as shake-ups continue
The Department of Defense (DOD) tech innovation chief stepped down from his role, the latest departure, coming just days after DOD Secretary Pete Hegseth ousted three top military officials last week. Doug Beck, who has led the California-based Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) since 2023, resigned on Monday, a U.S. official familiar with the matter and…
Pentagon's innovation unit chief resigns in latest shake-up, sources say: Reuters
The head of a Pentagon unit responsible for accelerating the military's adoption of new technology resigned on Monday, according to four people familiar with the matter, the latest exit of a senior military official whose political views have clashed with those of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Pentagon's Innovation Unit Chief Resigns in Latest Shake-Up
Pentagon’s innovation unit chief resigns in latest shake-up | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
NEW YORK >> The head of a Pentagon unit responsible for accelerating the military’s adoption of new technology resigned today, according to four people familiar with the matter, the latest exit of a senior military official whose political views have clashed with those of President Donald Trump.
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