Doug Beck Archives

Steven Butow greets U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III at the DIU offices in Mountain View, California. (Photo courtesy of DIU)

DIU gets new military deputy

The Defense Innovation Unit filled another key position.

Jun 11, 2024 By Jon Harper

Retired Vice Adm. Ann Rondeau, president of the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), and Doug Beck, director of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two institutions during the Sea-Air-Space conference in National Harbor, Maryland, April 9, 2024. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Ed Early)

DIU, Naval Postgraduate School partner up to prototype tech, exchange talent

The leaders of the organizations briefed DefenseScoop on a new MOU and what it means for each of their hubs.

Apr 9, 2024 By Brandi Vincent

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III visits Doug Beck, Director, Defense Innovation Unit, Moffett Field, Calif, Dec. 1, 2023. Secretary Austin spend time with DIU personnel who are accelerating the adoption of leading commercial technology throughout the military and growing the national security innovation base.DoD photo by Chad J. McNeeley)

With new hires and a fresh vision, the Pentagon unveils DIU 3.0

Doug Beck unveiled his strategic vision for DIU 3.0 in a 9-page plan.

Feb 7, 2024 By Brandi Vincent

The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and the Threat Systems Management Office operate a swarm of 40 drones to test the rotational units capabilities during the battle of Razish, National Training Center on May 8th, 2019. (U.S. Army Photo by Pv2 James Newsome)

DIU to host tech summit for Replicator in early 2024

The summit will be hosted in the Washington D.C. area, where industry can learn about upcoming opportunities for Replicator and participate in workshops on how dual-use commercial…

Dec 1, 2023 By Mikayla Easley

US and Indian defense leaders hold first-ever investor strategy session in New Delhi

A Defense Innovation Unit spokesperson said this “builds on the momentum” of the INDUS-X partnership.

Nov 8, 2023 By Brandi Vincent

Pentagon’s newly elevated Innovation Steering Group preps for first Replicator event

DefenseScoop obtained a memorandum that charters the Deputy's Innovation Steering Group to "rapidly evaluate, identify, and execute innovative solutions for key operational problems facing the Joint Force…

Sep 25, 2023 By Brandi Vincent

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III swears in Defense Innovation Unit Director Douglas Beck in the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., May 5, 2023. (DoD Photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jack Sanders)

For next phase of DIU, Beck envisions stronger partnerships across Pentagon

“We’ve got to turn that on its head so that we are completely embedded at the right levels in the departments,” DIU Director Doug Beck said.

Aug 29, 2023 By Mikayla Easley

Doug Beck hints at strategic shifts that DIU’s ‘next phase’ has in store

The Defense Innovation Unit’s new director spotlighted his team’s big plans to help the Pentagon “drive disruption at scale."

Jul 20, 2023 By Brandi Vincent

HAC-D chair wants to give new DIU director more flexibility to aggressively buy commercial tech

In its fiscal 2024 defense spending bill, the House Appropriations Committee is recommending the allocation of just over $1 billion to create a “hedge portfolio” of emerging…

Jul 1, 2023 By Mikayla Easley

DefenseScoop’s Brandi Vincent interviews Mike Madsen at DefenseTalks 2022. (Photo by Pixelme Studio)

How Mike Madsen spent his last days leading DIU

Madsen told DefenseScoop that he hopes to see the Pentagon's Defense Innovation Unit preserve its foundational culture of "scrappy disruptors."

Jun 21, 2023 By Brandi Vincent