The Pentagon has launched Project Meridian, a 120-day initiative focused on the future of warfare. The project is being co-led by Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey, and Newt Gingrich, with oversight from the Pentagon’s technical director, Emil Michael. The goal is to explore how the U.S. military can use emerging technologies and conduct operations in unconventional settings, such as underground locations and the Moon. The study is expected to wrap up by January 28, 2027. The U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, announced the project during a major speech on the state of the armed forces. He also introduced a new command aimed at speeding up the development and use of drones and autonomous systems. While details about the size of the team working on Project Meridian are unclear, it will include academics and public policy experts. The project will be conducted through a "partner organization," though its name and leadership remain undisclosed. Several media outlets have raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, noting that Musk and Luckey are not neutral observers in the discussion about the future of warfare. Both have signed major contracts with the Department of Defense. For example, SpaceX, Musk’s company, launches satellites for the U.S. government and supports defense-related missions. Anduril, co-founded by Luckey, develops drones and autonomous systems and has recently won contracts for military applications such as long-range missiles and intelligence systems. In addition to announcing Project Meridian, Hegseth revealed a significant restructuring of the military leadership. He stated that the number of high-ranking officers, including generals and admirals, had been reduced by 20 percent, calling it a "long-needed necessity." A 10 percent reduction was previously announced in May 2025. Some analysts suggest that these changes might be intended to replace experienced commanders with those more aligned with former President Donald Trump, potentially limiting dissent and consolidating influence within the military hierarchy.