Who are the "New Defense Primes" in the US? | ft. Lt. Gen. Jack Shanahan

Lt. Gen. Jack Shanahan explains how a new class of “prime” defense companies is reshaping the Pentagon’s tech landscape. Unlike the traditional primes that built submarines, satellites, and fighter jets, firms like Palantir, Anduril, and Shield AI are built around AI and national security from the ground up.

These companies:

Prioritize national security missions even over commercial markets.
Deliver cutting-edge AI solutions faster than legacy contractors.
Operate with the agility of startups but backed by deep private capital.

Shanahan calls this the rise of the “new primes”—tech-driven firms that may not claim the title of prime contractors, but are increasingly playing that role. Meanwhile, traditional primes are adapting, partnering with smaller AI companies to stay competitive.

👉 Discover how the Pentagon’s partnerships are shifting—and what this means for the future of defense innovation.

Watch the full episode here:    • Can AI Win Wars? Inside the US Military’s ...