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The Software Crisis Behind America's Infrastructure
@ a16z
04/28/25
Takeaways
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a16z Cast
04/28/25
@ a16z
We have a software crisis, and there's no time to wait. If we don't have a sense of urgency, we won't accomplish what we need to do.
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a16z Cast
04/28/25
@ a16z
You can build the most advanced equipment at the largest scale, but if you can't get it where it's needed when it's needed, it doesn't exist.
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a16z Cast
04/28/25
@ a16z
There's always been collective defense, but not necessarily collective logistics. No single nation can do it alone.
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a16z Cast
04/28/25
@ a16z
Software is never complete; it's moving incredibly fast. The best type of war you fight is one that you don't have to fight at all.
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a16z Cast
04/28/25
@ a16z
The next few decades are likely to be more dynamic and uncertain than the last two decades.
PB
Phillip Buckendorf
04/28/25
@ a16z
I was frustrated by Germany's stagnant approach to national security and its economic degrowth mindset, which led me to America.
PB
Phillip Buckendorf
04/28/25
@ a16z
In Europe, I found that most of my friends just wanted to party, while Germany decided to become dependent on cheap Russian gas.
PB
Phillip Buckendorf
04/28/25
@ a16z
I heard about Silicon Valley and was drawn to the environment where everyone was obsessed with building and technology.
PB
Phillip Buckendorf
04/28/25
@ a16z
After starting ASI, we realized that the state of software in logistics was outdated, which made it clear we needed to enable critical operations and optimize valuable assets.
LJ
Leonard J. Kosinski
04/28/25
@ a16z
After over 30 years in the military, I was passionate about national security logistics optimization, which led me to ASI.
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a16z Cast
04/28/25
@ a16z
The aviation industry is facing significant staffing shortages due to retirements and a lack of training during the COVID pandemic.
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a16z Cast
04/28/25
@ a16z
We have a software crisis with legacy systems that are faltering, leading to massive outages that are consequential to the entire industry.
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a16z Cast
04/28/25
@ a16z
Staffing, software, and infrastructure are interconnected issues in the aviation industry; improving one can enhance the others.
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a16z Cast
04/28/25
@ a16z
Modernizing software is critical for improving productivity and attracting talent in the aviation industry.
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a16z Cast
04/28/25
@ a16z
The philosophy of how software should be built in the aviation sector is broken; it needs to evolve to keep pace with technology.
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a16z Cast
04/28/25
@ a16z
Modernization efforts often start with extensive documentation before any software is built, leading to outdated solutions by the time they are deployed.
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a16z Cast
04/28/25
@ a16z
The military struggles to attract top software engineers because they want to build rapidly and not be constrained by outdated requirements.
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a16z Cast
04/28/25
@ a16z
The Department of Defense faces similar challenges in logistics, where legacy systems hinder effective operations.
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a16z Cast
04/28/25
@ a16z
Modernizing air traffic control systems is crucial, and there's bipartisan support for this initiative.
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a16z Cast
04/28/25
@ a16z
Instead of building capabilities from scratch, we should leverage existing software that is already proven and deployed in the commercial sector.
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a16z Cast
04/28/25
@ a16z
Dual-use technology in logistics allows for collaboration between the military and commercial sectors, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness.
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a16z Cast
04/28/25
@ a16z
The military uses commercial transport for logistics, highlighting the need for collaboration between the public and private sectors.
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a16z Cast
04/28/25
@ a16z
Contested logistics refers to the challenges in supply chains due to various factors like weather and maintenance, which need to be predicted and optimized.
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a16z Cast
04/28/25
@ a16z
In contested logistics, adversaries will look for vulnerabilities in our supply chain, making it essential to understand and mitigate these risks.
LJ
Leonard J. Kosinski
04/28/25
@ a16z
Logistics is a weapon system; if you can't supply and sustain your weapon systems, they become ineffective.
LJ
Leonard J. Kosinski
04/28/25
@ a16z
The pandemic highlighted vulnerabilities in logistics, showing how critical supply chains are for both civilian and military needs.
PB
Phillip Buckendorf
04/28/25
@ a16z
In military logistics, the focus should be on dual-use capabilities that can benefit both civilian and defense sectors.
PB
Phillip Buckendorf
04/28/25
@ a16z
Modernizing logistics requires a shift in thinking about software, moving beyond just updating legacy systems to deploying advanced solutions for real-time operational needs.
LJ
Leonard J. Kosinski
04/28/25
@ a16z
The U.S. must invest in logistics proactively, rather than reactively, to avoid vulnerabilities that adversaries could exploit.
PB
Phillip Buckendorf
04/28/25
@ a16z
The future of logistics will involve predictive software that anticipates challenges and allows for quick rerouting to maintain operational effectiveness.
LJ
Leonard J. Kosinski
04/28/25
@ a16z
If we don't modernize our logistics systems, we risk losing our competitive edge and the ability to respond effectively to crises.
PB
Phillip Buckendorf
04/28/25
@ a16z
The logistics capabilities of the U.S. military must evolve to meet the challenges of contested environments, where traditional supply routes may be compromised.
PB
Phillip Buckendorf
04/28/25
@ a16z
Understanding the threat profile for every node in the logistics system is crucial for maintaining operational integrity and security.