Elon Musk to advise Pentagon on future warfare
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- Musk will head the 120-day initiative alongside Anduril Industries co-founder Palmer Luckey and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
- The project aims to identify future warfare domains and draw expertise from tech innovators, academics, and policy specialists.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk will return to an official advisory role within Donald Trump's administration, joining a new Pentagon initiative examining the future of military conflict.
Musk previously led the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) until his departure in May 2025 following a public disagreement with Trump over federal spending.
Speaking at the Quantico military base, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the launch of "Project Meridian," describing it as a strategic effort bringing together leading experts to study upcoming shifts in warfare.
Hegseth noted that the initiative leverages private-sector innovation, giving the United States a competitive advantage over global rivals.
Musk will co-chair the study alongside Palmer Luckey, co-founder of defense tech firm Anduril Industries, and former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
Though Musk previously had a high-profile falling-out with Trump, he has since resumed financial backing for Republican candidates and conservative political action committees.
According to Hegseth, Project Meridian aims to forecast future operational domains and core military capabilities required for strategic dominance.
The task force will feature select private-sector executives and subject matter experts across tech, academia, and defense policy, with a directive to submit its final findings within 120 days.
