
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced in Quantico, Virginia, that Elon Musk will take a leading role in the Pentagon's new Project Meridian to explore the future of warfare, particularly autonomous weapons systems and AI, with initial results expected within 120 days.
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Since taking office in January 2025, Pete Hegseth has pushed for the exclusion of trans people from the military and the dismantling of diversity programs while promoting a new “warrior ethos.”
USA-NewsblogMusk is supposed to research the “future of warfare” for the Pentagon
October 1, 2026, 4:42 am|
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth wants to “look to the future with a creative eye” - and sees Elon Musk as the right man to further develop autonomous warfare.
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Musk is supposed to research the “future of warfare” for the Pentagon
Tech billionaire Elon Musk is set to take a leading role in a new US Department of Defense project. In a speech to military officials in Quantico, Virginia, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth announced that the aim was to explore the future of warfare. Musk is said to be one of several people who will lead the initiative.
The purpose of “Project Meridian” is to “look to the future with a creative eye and identify areas we need to conquer and the capabilities we need to master,” the Defense Minister said in his speech.
Hegseth also addressed the topic of autonomous warfare, i.e. the use of weapon systems and artificial intelligence that can be active and carry out attacks without direct human intervention. “We must act proactively to ensure technological and military superiority on the battlefield for decades to come,” he continued. The Pentagon chief expects results from the project within 120 days.
In his almost hour-long speech, Hegseth also praised controversial changes that have already taken place under his leadership. In recent months, top executives in the Pentagon have repeatedly been fired or forced to retreat. The reasons for this often remained nebulous.
Since taking office in January 2025, the 46-year-old has also pushed forward the exclusion of trans people from the military and the dismantling of diversity and equality programs. He now emphasized to the military in Virginia: "The ideological clowns are out. The patriotic cowboys are in." He repeatedly devalued groups of people - such as trans people. Hegseth was satisfied that there were now only “warriors” in his own ranks.
The much-touted new focus on a “warrior ethos” has also been reflected in the name of the Defense Department for about a year now: the government of US President Donald Trump has referred to it as the “War Department” since last fall.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Project Meridian will present the first prototypes of autonomous weapon systems within the next 120 days.
Likely · Within months
Tech billionaire Elon Musk is to lead a US research project on autonomous warfare and military AI together with drone entrepreneur Palmer Luckey. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth expects results within 120 days.

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