Hegseth Creates Autonomous War Command; Musk, Luckey, Gingrich Join Meridian Project

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has established a new 'Autonomous War Command' to oversee military applications of autonomous systems, and has appointed Elon Musk, Palmer Luckey, and Newt Gingrich to the Meridian Project, a study group focused on the future of warfare. The move signals a major organizational shift in US defense posture toward AI-driven warfare, with potential implications for military strategy and industry partnerships. The project's fate may hinge on the 2026 midterm elections, suggesting political vulnerability.