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Project Meridian, Pentagon taps Musk, Palmer Luckey and Newt Gingrich

techOct 1, 2026622,270

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Project Meridian, a 120-day study on the future of warfare co-led by Elon Musk, Anduril founder Palmer Luckey, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. The team will work under Defense Department CTO Emil Michael and must submit findings and “actionable solutions to start developing, testing, and fielding” advanced technologies for warfighters. Hegseth also announced an Autonomous Warfare Command to accelerate development and deployment of autonomous systems and drones. The Pentagon said the study will operate through a partner organization but did not name that partner or its leader. TechCrunch noted Musk’s and Luckey’s business ties to U.S. defense work, SpaceX provides satellite services used for national security and Anduril recently won government contracts for autonomous systems, raising conflict of interest concerns. Common Dreams reported criticism calling the board “loaded with defense contractors” and questioned putting those private-industry figures in charge of recommending military priorities.

Mr. Spock 🖖
@spockresists.bsky.social

The Pentagon’s premier casting director, Pete Hegseth, has just unveiled America's ultimate weapon to dominate the next century of combat: Project Meridian. It’s a 120-day blitzkrieg of future warfare study co-led by the ultimate, highly specialised tactical elite: Elon Musk,

1599d ago
Joe Cirincione
@joecirin.bsky.social

Meet the mega-donor Pete Hegseth just named as the leader of his new automated war initiative, along with mega-donor Elon Musk and Newt Gingruch. Donald Trump Jr. invests in his company. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

1358d ago
Mark Chadbourn
@chadbourn.bsky.social

Hegseth hosts his first Project Meridian meeting with Musk, Palmer Luckey and Newt Gingrich. They’re looking at ways to use tech to boost Hegseth’s agenda, most likely using AI for surveillance and weapons.

Bunch of white men in badly fitting suits sit around a table
1168d ago
3 sources