U.S. launches initiative to explore future warfare with tech leaders

The U.S. Department of Defense has launched Project Meridian, a new initiative aimed at studying how future warfare will evolve with the rapid advancement of technology. The project, announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a 'Force Posture' speech, will be led by Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey of Anduril, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, with additional input from academics and policymakers. The initiative will be overseen by the Department of Defense's Chief Technology Officer, Emile Michael. The team is expected to deliver results within 120 days, proposing actionable solutions to maintain U.S. military dominance. Hegseth also announced the creation of an 'Autonomous Combat Command' to accelerate the development and deployment of autonomous systems and drones. The project will be conducted through a collaborative organization, though details about its structure and leadership remain undisclosed.