❯ The Pentagon taps Musk, Luckey and Gingrich to lead a study of future warfare capabilities

A 120-day studyAccording to CNBC’s Luke Fountain, the US Department of Defense launched Project Meridian, led by Elon Musk, Anduril founder Palmer Luckey and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, to spend 120 days studying the capabilities the US may need in future wars. The project was launched by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

All close to the administrationMusk’s SpaceX is one of the Pentagon’s largest contractors, providing launches and Starlink satellite communications; Luckey’s Anduril makes drones, autonomous weapons and counter-drone systems and is a major recipient of defense contracts. Gingrich is a veteran Republican politician. TechCrunch noted the picks make sense given their ties to the Trump administration, but the conflicts of interest are obvious.

Who writes the requirements, who gets the ordersStudying what future wars require is essentially setting priorities for future defense procurement. When the researchers are themselves potential suppliers, conclusions may tilt toward drones, satellites and AI, the areas they excel in. That would speed defense contracts to tech companies outside the traditional defense giants.

▪ SIGNALLetting suppliers define the requirements can bring new technology into the military faster, at the cost of procurement no longer starting from neutral.