By Mike Dodd, USMC (Ret.)
Why would a bunch of DoD folks be hanging out at the Indy 500 this weekend? It’s not just because Shaquille O’Neal will be spinning EDM records as “DJ Diesel” in the infamous Snake Pit this year. There may be more crossover between this legendary race and defense innovation than you may think.
Emerging technologies are transforming industries at an unprecedented rate. Racing is no exception. We can learn a lot from paying attention to these advancements and harness their potential to strengthen our defense capabilities. This is seen in how developments in microelectronics impact the chips that power race cars and military tanks alike.
The technological intricacies that go into optimizing IndyCar performance are unmatched in the world of motorsports. IndyCar engineers pay meticulous attention to the most minute details of the vehicle, constantly adjusting specs to ensure maximum performance. Check out this article from Racer that details the intensity with which IndyCar engineers do their thing.
There’s much to gain from observing how other industries advance technology to maximize performance. Immersing ourselves in an environment that exhibits the most recent technological advancements in vehicle speed, engine power, and aero-efficiency certainly gets our wheels turning (pun intended).
The Indy 500 serves as a reminder of the need to embrace emerging technology from all fields. Employing technological breakthroughs from any industry to the defense landscape - whether microelectronics, AI, quantum computing, cybersecurity - can equip us to revolutionize national security.
I'm attending one of the most exhilarating events in motorsports hosted in my home state with some of the most creative minds in tech and defense to accomplish this… I’ll take it.
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