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The Pentagon taps Elon Musk and Palmer Luckey to help decide what the military should do next
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth used a “State of the Force” address on Wednesday to launch Project Meridian, a Pentagon study of future warfare amid rapid technological change. It will examine future battlefields and the weapons and technologies warfighters may use. The goal is preserving American military dominance.
Elon Musk, Anduril founder Palmer Luckey and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich will co-lead the project with participants from academia, policy and other fields. The team will work under Defense Department CTO Emil Michael; its size has not been disclosed. Members will study future battlefields and military technologies.
The team has 120 days to submit findings and propose “actionable solutions” for developing, testing and fielding advanced technology. Hegseth said the work could shape what the military does next as new tools alter warfare. The deadline links strategic planning to more rapid deployment.
Hegseth also announced an Autonomous Warfare Command to accelerate autonomous systems and drones. Meridian’s study will run through an unnamed partner organization, and its leader was not identified. The Pentagon later said it had “nothing further to provide beyond the Secretary’s comments.”
Musk’s appointment appears to mark his first official return to the administration since leaving the Department of Government Efficiency last year, despite reports of renewed White House ties. He recently attended an AI-focused lunch with President Trump and other technology leaders. His SpaceX launches government satellites and runs a network supporting national defense and security missions.
Luckey’s Anduril develops autonomous military systems and drones and recently won contracts for long-range missiles, semi-autonomous fighter aircraft and Army mobile-intelligence hardware. Their expertise gives Meridian industry insight, but critics could see potential conflicts because the project may recommend technologies their companies sell. The 120-day findings will test whether the Pentagon can turn strategy into development, testing and fielding decisions.
