Elon Musk to Lead Pentagon Study on Future Warfare

<p>SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Anduril Industries founder Palmer Luckey, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich will lead a Pentagon study on the future of warfare called "Project Meridian," as announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday.</p><p>The significance of this project lies in Musk's first official advisory role to the Trump administration following a public disagreement with President Trump last year. Musk has since reconciled with Trump.</p><hr /><p>During his address at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, Hegseth introduced Project Meridian, stating, "We are leveraging a unique source of American advantage, one our adversaries do not have: our innovators, our senior leaders and our technologists — big thinkers and doers who will forecast the creative solution for tomorrow's conflicts." He clarified that the project is not intended to produce new policy documents but will focus on examining the necessary domains and capabilities for future conflicts.</p><p>Hegseth noted that the work will aim to discover, develop, and field the weapons and systems needed for future generations.</p><p>Pentagon technology chief Emil Michael will assist in facilitating the project. In a previous statement, he expressed a desire to see more companies like Anduril, Palantir, and SpaceX thrive within America's industrial base.</p><p>Musk's and Luckey's companies currently hold significant contracts with the Pentagon. SpaceX serves as a key provider for national security launches, while Anduril supplies various defense technologies including jammers and interceptors.</p><p>The Meridian leadership team was expected to convene for the first time on Wednesday, with final findings anticipated within 120 days. A public rollout and a classified report are planned.</p>