Elon Musk was appointed by Pete Hegseth to co-lead a government project focused on the future of warfare, as announced on Wednesday. This marks Musk's return to government involvement after his previous role in the Trump administration's 'department of government efficiency', known as Doge. He will be joined by Palmer Luckey, CEO of defense tech company Anduril, and former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
The Department of Defense's initiative, named Project Meridian, aims to identify the capabilities necessary for achieving technological dominance on future battlefields. The project is set to last for 120 days and will conclude with an unclassified public report outlining its recommendations.
Hegseth noted in a memo that advancements in artificial intelligence, autonomy, directed energy, robotics, and biotechnology are rapidly changing the nature of warfare. He emphasized the importance of the United States anticipating future operational environments to maintain global dominance.
Musk and Luckey both have significant contracts with the Department of Defense through their respective companies, with Anduril focusing on government procurement of advanced warfare technologies. Gingrich, who was previously appointed to the defense policy board in December 2020, has warned about potential threats to US infrastructure since the 1990s.