Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Musk, Luckey and Gingrich to Lead Pentagon Future-War Study
The Department of War is starting a project about what future wars could look like.
Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey and Newt Gingrich will help lead it.
They will study the technology and skills the United States might need.
The study will look at places underground and the region between Earth and the Moon.
Experts from universities, policy groups and industry will also help.
A report is expected within 120 days.
Most of the report will be public, but a separate secret section will contain classified information.
The department says the goal is to help the military keep a technology advantage.
Secretary Pete Hegseth also announced plans involving robots, military bases, supplies, education and religious services.
Secretary Pete Hegseth commissioned Project Meridian to study capabilities needed for long-term United States military superiority.
Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey and Newt Gingrich will co-direct the 120-day study, facilitated by chief technology officer Emil Michael.
The project will examine future warfare from subterranean operations to the cislunar region near the Moon.
Its final report will be unclassified and publicly released, with a separate classified annex containing additional findings and recommendations.
Hegseth also announced initiatives involving autonomous warfare, military bases, domestic supply chains, officer training and religious support.
- Who
- Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey and Newt Gingrich will co-direct Project Meridian, commissioned by Secretary Pete Hegseth and facilitated by Emil Michael.
- What
- A 120-day study of the capabilities and advanced systems the United States may need for future warfare.
- When
- The report is due within 120 days of the project's establishment; an Autonomous Warfare Command is planned by October 1, 2027.
- Where
- The initiatives were announced at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, while the study will cover domains from subterranean areas to the cislunar region.
- Why
- The stated purpose is to identify technological requirements and help maintain long-term United States military superiority.
- Project
- Project Meridian
- Co-directors
- Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey and Newt Gingrich
- Commissioned by
- Secretary Pete Hegseth
- Facilitator
- Emil Michael, chief technology officer of the Department of War
- Deadline
- Within 120 days of establishment
- Report format
- Public unclassified report with a separate classified annex
- Study scope
- Future warfighting domains ranging from subterranean depths to the cislunar frontier
- Related initiatives
- Autonomous warfare, military installations, domestic supply chains, officer training and religious support
