Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced "Project Meridian," a 120-day Pentagon study to map the weapons, technologies and operational domains the U.S. military may need in the future. He appointed Newt Gingrich, Elon Musk and Palmer Luckey as co-directors, working with Pentagon technology leadership and industry experts. Gingrich's selection attracted notice because he did not serve in Vietnam, despite his hawkish public record. Hegseth emphasized the study will identify capabilities to master rather than set formal policy.
Hegseth Names Gingrich, Musk and Luckey To Lead 'Project Meridian' Pentagon Study
Evan Vucci / REUTERS
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has launched "Project Meridian," a 120-day Pentagon study intended to identify the weapons, technologies and operational domains the U.S. military may need to master in coming decades.
Gingrich will co-direct the Pentagon initiative with Elon Musk and Palmer Luckey. / EVELYN HOCKSTEIN / REUTERS
Speaking at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia, Hegseth said the initiative is focused on mapping future capabilities rather than writing formal strategy or policy. "This effort is not about developing new strategies or new policies," he said. "It's about identifying the domains that we must conquer, and capabilities we must master."
Gingrich, his wife, U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland Callista Gingrich, and Swiss Federal President Guy Parmelin welcome Trump to Geneva before the G7 summit in June. / MARTIAL TREZZINI / via REUTERS
High-Profile Co-Directors
Hegseth named former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, technology entrepreneur Elon Musk (55) and defense-technology founder Palmer Luckey (34) as co-directors. They will work alongside the Pentagon's technology leadership, including Chief Technology Officer Emil Michael, and a group of industry figures and subject-matter experts to produce a report within 120 days.
Gingrich served as House Speaker for four years in the 1990s. / Mike Theiler / Reuters
Why Gingrich’s Appointment Attracted Attention
Gingrich, 83, drew particular attention because he did not serve in the Vietnam War, receiving student and parental deferments while completing degrees at Emory (1965) and Tulane (1968, 1971). Gingrich—who built a reputation in Congress as a hawk—has acknowledged debating the decision at the time. In a 1985 interview he said, "Vietnam was the right battlefield at the right time," and that "a large part of me thinks I should have gone over," while also questioning what difference he would have made.
His public record includes participation in defense debates during and after his congressional career: he joined the Congressional Military Reform Caucus in the 1980s, endorsed the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and has been a vocal commentator on Middle East policy.
Context And Purpose
Hegseth framed Project Meridian as an effort to tap private-sector innovation and senior civilian expertise. "There are obvious biases and risks to asking ourselves to both ask the questions and answer them," he said, adding that the United States gains an advantage from its pool of innovators, technologists and senior leaders.
"And that's why today…I'm announcing Project Meridian, an effort led by America's best minds to study the future of warfare." — Pete Hegseth
The announcement comes amid a period of elevated U.S. tensions with Iran, described in the original report as seven months of administration military action. Project Meridian is intended as a forward-looking, largely technical and capability-focused review rather than a vehicle for immediate policy changes.
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