US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Project Meridian on 30/9, stating it would be "an effort led by America's brightest minds" to study the future of warfare. "We are utilizing a unique American advantage that our adversaries lack: our innovators, senior leaders, and technology experts", he said.

Billionaire Elon Musk will co-lead the project alongside Palmer Luckey, 34, co-founder of defense technology company Anduril Industries, and former US House Speaker Newt Gingrich, 83.

Elon Musk in Beijing, Trung Quoc in May. Photo: Reuters

According to Secretary Hegseth, Project Meridian aims for "future-oriented innovation, identifying areas the US must master and capabilities to achieve". Project members will include carefully selected private sector leaders, along with experts from innovation, academia, and policymaking.

Hegseth directed that the project's research results be completed and submitted within 120 days.

Musk previously headed the Government Performance Agency (DOGE) before leaving the US administration in 5/2025, following public disagreements with President Donald Trump over a spending bill. The US billionaire subsequently continued to contribute to Republican activities, including millions of USD in donations to individual candidates and conservative political groups.

DOGE, which Musk founded and led for 130 days as a "special government employee", was tasked with streamlining the government apparatus and reducing the federal budget. However, it encountered numerous controversies regarding personal conflicts of interest, unsubstantiated reduction decisions, and breaches of classified data.

DOGE ceased operations in 11/2025, eight months before its scheduled completion.

In an interview in July, Musk admitted he had been "too involved in politics" and "went too far" during his time in the Trump administration.

By Huyen Le (According to AFP)