Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth announced a competition inviting governors to bid to host a new, state-of-the-art base designed for 15,000–25,000 troops, intended as an integrated hub for operations and cyber capabilities. He also launched "Project Meridian," a study of future battlefield technologies co-directed by Elon Musk, Newt Gingrich and Palmer Luckey, which has prompted conflict-of-interest questions. The Pentagon plans a new autonomous-warfare combatant command targeted for October 2027 and named interim leaders while a four-star officer is selected. Hegseth cited lessons from Ukraine's drone use as a rationale for investing in adaptable, purpose-built systems.
Pentagon Opens Bids For 'Next Great American Base' — Governors Invited To Compete To Host New 15,000–25,000-Troop Hub
Hegseth launches search for Pentagon's 'next great American base'
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Sept. 30 that the Pentagon will invite state governors to submit proposals to host what he called the "next great American base," a modern military installation designed to accommodate 15,000–25,000 service members and serve as a hub for integrated operations, distributed command-and-control, and resilient cyber capabilities.
How The Pitch Process Will Work
Governors will be invited to Washington, D.C., to present their proposals to Hegseth and senior Pentagon leaders, and the secretary indicated that former President Donald Trump may also review proposals. The pitch process is intended to identify a site that can support large-scale training, sustainment and advanced technological integration.
Project Meridian: Mapping Future Battlefield Needs
As part of a broader modernization push, Hegseth unveiled "Project Meridian," an initiative to identify the weapons and technologies the military will need for future conflicts. The project was announced with three co-directors: Elon Musk (CEO of SpaceX), former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and Palmer Luckey (CEO of Anduril Industries).
Conflict-of-interest concerns: Hegseth acknowledged—and reporting has noted—that Musk and Luckey have ownership stakes in companies that contract with the Department of Defense, which could raise potential conflict-of-interest questions.
New Autonomous Warfare Combatant Command
The Pentagon also announced plans to pursue a new combatant command focused on autonomous warfare. The command would need Congressional authorization and has a target establishment date of October 2027. According to a Pentagon memo, it would have dedicated manpower, budget and acquisition authorities and create career pathways for officers and enlisted personnel specializing in autonomous systems.
Interim Leadership And Timeline
Until a four-star officer is named to lead the autonomous-warfare command, the Pentagon appointed Owen West, director of the Defense Innovation Unit, and Navy SEAL Senior Chief Max Strasiser to guide the planning and development process.
Context And Controversies
Hegseth framed the initiatives as part of a broader effort to modernize the force and to reshape military culture, remarks he made during his "State of the Force" address to service members at Marine Corps Base Quantico.
He cited lessons from Ukraine's use of drones against Russia as evidence that relatively low-cost, adaptable technologies can transform warfare. "Ukraine's lesson is not that one type of drone wins wars but rather the need for a purpose-built system that maximizes the ability to adapt," Hegseth said.
The announcement also touched on other national security developments. Reporting included attribution that an Israeli source told USA TODAY that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in joint strikes with Israel; that claim is attributed to that source and is not independently verified in this article. The piece also referenced ceremonial and operational activities involving other senior U.S. officials.
"President Trump is a builder, and this project is about doing something bold, beautiful, and world-class for the great Americans who wear our nation's uniform," Hegseth said in his address.
The Pentagon emphasized that many elements of these initiatives—most notably the creation of a new combatant command—require further approvals and will follow established legal, budgetary and oversight processes.
US Secretary of WarPete Hegsethanswers questions during a ceremony for newly sworn in U.S. Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin in the Oval Office at the White House on March 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. Mullin takes the helm of DHS during a challenging time as it has been partially shut down since February 14 while lawmakers negotiate reforms for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.(Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images)
Prime MinisterÊof JapanÊSanae Takaichi (L) meets with U.S. President Donald Trump (2L) as U.S. Vice President JD Vance (3L), U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (2R), and U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (R) look on during a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on March 19, 2026 in Washington, DC. The two leaders are expected to discuss topics including the current conflict in Iran and the threat that is posed by China.(Alex Wong, Getty Images)
Vice President JD Vance (L) and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth salute as a U.S. Army carry team moves a flag-draped transfer case containing the remains of Army Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington at Dover Air Force Base on March 9, 2026 in Dover, Delaware. Pennington died of injuries sustained from an Iranian attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on March 1.(Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images)
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth holds an Americas Counter Cartel Conference Joint Security Declaration after signing it as regional defense and security leaders from the Caribbean and Central and South America stand behind him during the inaugural Americas Counter Cartel Conference at the U.S. Southern Command Headquarters on March 5, 2026 in Doral, Florida. The conference is being held to address narco-terrorism with regional defense and security leaders from the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.(Joe Raedle, Getty Images)
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth speaks during a news conference at the Pentagon on March 2, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia. Secretary Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine held the news conference to give an update on Operation Epic Fury.(Alex Wong, Getty Images)
National Guard troops react as Secretary of War Pete Hegseth opens his suit jacket to show the U.S. flag lining following a re-enlistment ceremony at the Washington Monument on Feb. 6, 2026 in Washington, DC. Braving sub-freezing temperatures, Hegseth led a re-enlistment ceremony for 105 National Guard troops from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina and West Virginia at the base of the Washington Monument on the National Mall.(Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images)
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (L) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Dan Caine listen as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to senior military members at Marine Corps Base Quantico on Sept. 30, 2025 in Quantico, Virginia. In an unprecedented gathering, almost 800 generals, admirals and their senior enlisted leaders have been ordered into one location from around the world on short notice.(Alex Wong, Getty Images)
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrives prior to the United States flag being unfurled at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2025, in Arlington, VA. On Sept. 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 77 was deliberately crashed into the Pentagon, killing 184 people.(Jack Gruber, USA TODAY)
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth gives opening remarks before a meeting with Canadian National Defense Minister David McGuinty at the Pentagon on Sept. 22, 2025, in Arlington, Virginia. McGuinty is visiting the Pentagon for the first time since being appointed Defense Minister of Canada.(Anna Moneymaker, Getty Images)
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth onstage during the memorial service for political activist Charlie Kirk at State Farm Stadium on Sept. 21, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona. Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed on September 10th while speaking at an event during his "American Comeback Tour" at Utah Valley University.(Joe Raedle, Getty Images)
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth delivers remarks during the Department of War 2025 National Prisoner of POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremony at the Pentagon on Sept. 19, 2025, in Arlington, Virginia. The POW/MIA Recognition Day honors service members who were prisoners of war and those who are still missing in action.(Kevin Dietsch, Getty Images)
U.S. President Donald Trump greets Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (R) during a September 11th observance event in the courtyard of the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2025, in Arlington, Virginia. Today marks the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people.(Win McNamee, Getty Images)
U.S. President Donald Trump holds up the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act after signing it into law alongside Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, during a press availability in the Oval Office of the White House on Sept. 5, 2025, in Washington, D.C. President Trump signed a series of executive orders which included the renaming of the Department of Defense to the Department of War.(Kevin Dietsch, Getty Images)
U.S. President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sit together during a cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House on Aug. 26, 2025, in Washington, D.C. This is the seventh cabinet meeting of Trump's second term.(Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images)
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth greets members of the National Guard during a visit to Union Station on Aug. 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The Trump administration has deployed federal officers and the National Guard to the District to place the DC Metropolitan Police Department under federal control and assist in crime prevention in the nation's capital.(Al Drago, Pool via Getty Images)
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth attends a meeting with President Donald Trump and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the Oval Office at the White House on July 22, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Trump and Marcos are expected to discuss trade tariffs, increasing security cooperation in the face of China's growing maritime power in the West Philippine Sea and other topics. Hegseth was joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.(Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images)
U.S. Army Ranger Sgt. Joseph Drake shakes the hand of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, right, as Drake and Pfc. John Wardell accepted the Congressional Gold Medal on behalf of all World War II Rangers during a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on June 26, 2025.(Jack Gruber, USA TODAY)
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth takes the stage during a rally with U.S. Army troops on June 10, 2025 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Hegseth and President Donald Trump traveled to Fort Bragg Army base to observe a military demonstration and give remarks in honor of the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary.(Anna Moneymaker, Getty Images)
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth awaits the arrival of Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosinak-Kamysz at the Pentagon May 27, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. Hegseth and Kosinak-Kamysz were expected to discuss a wide range of bilateral issues during their meeting.(Win McNamee, Getty Images)
President Donald Trump speaks alongside Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in the Oval Office at the White House on May 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump announced his plans for the "Golden Dome," a national ballistic and cruise missile defense system.(Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images)
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks to reporters during the White House Easter Egg Roll on April 21, 2025.(Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA - APRIL 17: Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Dakota Meyer (R) shakes hands with U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (L) during a reenlistment ceremony at the Pentagon on April 17, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. Sgt. Meyer is reenlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)(Alex Wong, Getty Images)
U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on April 10, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump convened a Cabinet meeting a day after announcing a 90-day pause on ÔreciprocalÕ tariffs, with the exception of China.(Anna Moneymaker, Getty Images)
TOPSHOT - Japan's Defence Minister Gen Nakatani (L) and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth review an honor guard during a welcome ceremony at the Ministry of Defence in Tokyo on March 30, 2025.(Pool photo AFP via Getty Images)
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth gestures during a joint press conference with Philippines' Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro after their meeting at Camp Aguinaldo in Manila on March 28, 2025. US defense chief Pete Hegseth met Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos on March 28, saying the two countries must stand "shoulder to shoulder" in the face of the threat represented by China.(TED ALJIBE, AFP via Getty Images)
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth participates in a TV interview outside the White House on March 21, 2025, in Washington, DC. Hegseth visited the White House to join U.S. President Donald Trump in announcing the Next Generation of Air Dominance (NGDA) program, the F-47, the sixth-generation high-tech Air Force fighter to succeed the F-22 Raptor.(Anna Moneymaker, Getty Images)
U.S. President Donald Trump and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth deliver remarks in the Oval Office of the White House on March 21, 2025, in Washington, DC. Trump announced the Next Generation of Air Dominance (NGDA) program, the F-47, the sixth-generation high-tech Air Force fighter to succeed the F-22 Raptor.(Anna Moneymaker, Getty Images)
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (L) and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (R) laugh as U.S. President Donald Trump jokes during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House on March 13, 2025, in Washington, DC. The two leaders met as the Trump administration has once again put the military alliance between the United States and Western Europe in question.(Andrew Harnik, Getty Images)
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during a meeting with British Secretary of State for Defence John Healey at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, on March 6, 2025.(SAUL LOEB, AFP via Getty Images)
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and British Defence Secretary John Healey react as they meet, on the eve of a NATO defence ministers' meeting at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels, on February 12, 2025. New US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth arrives for his first meetings at NATO headquarters on February 12 looking to push European nations over support for Ukraine and ramping up military spending. Washington's allies are waiting nervously for clarity from President Donald Trump's administration after the volatile leader demanded NATO more than double its spending target and vowed to end the war in Ukraine.(POOL photo by JOHANNA GERON/AFP via Getty Images)
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks to members of the press during a bilateral meeting with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles at the Pentagon on February 7, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. Marles is on a visit in Washington to meet with Secretary Hegseth, other Trump administration officials, and U.S. Congressional members. ((Alex Wong, Getty Images)
President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth participate in a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in the Oval Office of the White House on February 07, 2025 in Washington, DC. Shigeru, who took office in October, is the first Asian leader to visit Trump since he returned to the White House last month. During the visit, Shigeru and Trump will participate in a working lunch and a joint news conference.(Anna Moneymaker, Getty Images)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, on February 5, 2025.(JIM WATSON, AFP via Getty Images)
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth places hand on heart as he welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, on February 5, 2025.(JIM WATSON, AFP via Getty Images)
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks to members of the media during a visit to the southern border in El Paso, Texas on Feb. 3, 2025.(Omar Ornelas, USA Today Network)
President Donald Trump looks on as Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth speaks about the mid-air crash between American Airlines flight 5342 and a military helicopter in Washington, in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on January 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. Divers pulled bodies from the icy waters of Washington's Potomac river Thursday after a US military helicopter collided midair with a passenger plane carrying 64 people, with officials saying there were likely no survivors.(OLIVER CONTRERAS, AFP via Getty Images)
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Q. Brown, Jr. salutes US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth as he arrives for his first official arrival at the Pentagon as Secretary in Washington, DC, January 27, 2025.(SAUL LOEB, AFP via Getty Images)
Pete Hegseth is surrounded by his wife Jennifer Rauchet and his 7 children as he is sworn in as the new US Secretary of Defense by Vice-President JD Vance at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House in Washington, DC, on January 25, 2025.(ROBERTO SCHMIDT, AFP via Getty Images)
(L-R) Former Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY), President Trump's nominee for Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Kash Patel, President Trump's nominee for FBI Director and Pete Hegseth, President Trump's nominee for Secretary of Defense and Linda McMahon, President Trump's nominee for Education Secretary depart inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. Donald Trump takes office for his second term as the 47th president of the United States.(Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images)
Pete Hegseth gives a thumbs up as he departs a Senate Armed Services committee hearing on his expected nomination to be Secretary of Defense on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 in Washington, DC.(Jack Gruber, USA TODAY)
Pete Hegseth speaks during a Senate Armed Services committee hearing on his expected nomination to be Secretary of Defense on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 in Washington, DC.(Jack Gruber, USA TODAY)
Pete Hegseth speaks onstage during the 2023 FOX Nation Patriot Awards at The Grand Ole Opry on November 16, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee.(Terry Wyatt, Getty Images)
Pete Hegseth attends FOX News All American New Year at Wildhorse Saloon on December 31, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee.(Brett Carlsen, Getty Images)
Mike Hruska from Lewes takes a photo of his wife, Colleen, and FOX & Friends weekend co-host Pete Hegseth. FOX & Friends came to Goolee's Grill in Rehoboth Beach on Friday, April 26, 2019, talking with diners about Joe Biden's run for president.(Chuck Snyder, Special to The News Journal/USA TODAY Network)
Fox News contributor Pete Hegseth arrives at Trump Tower on November 29, 2016 in New York City. President-elect Donald Trump and his transition team are in the process of filling cabinet and other high level positions for the new administration.(Spencer Platt, Getty Images)
Singer Kelly Rowland is interviewed by co-hosts (L-R) Pete Hegseth, Ainsley Earhardt and Brian Kilmeade during "Fox And Friends" at FOX Studios on March 21, 2016 in New York City.(Ben Gabbe, Getty Images)
Capt. Pete Hegseth shakes hands with Chariman of the Judiciary committee, Sen. Patrcik Leahy, D-Vt. before the start of the third day of hearings to confirm Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, July 1, 2010.(Jack Gruber, USA TODAY)
Capt. Pete Hegseth answering questions before the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, July 1, 2010.(Jack Gruber, USA TODAY)
U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaks to Cabinet Secretariesduring military operations in Iran, in the Situation Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S. February 28, 2026. The United Stateslaunched military strikesand "major combat operations" against Iran on Saturday, PresidentDonald Trumpsaid, targeting the country's missile capabilities.Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the joint strikes with Israel on Iran, an Israeli source confirmed to USA TODAY.This image was provided by The White House.(White House, via REUTERS)
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with CIA Director John Ratcliffe, accompanied by White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during military operations in Iran, at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. February 28, 2026. This image was provided by The White House.(The White House, via REUTERS)
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine speaks during military operations in Iran, at U.S. President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. February 28, 2026. This image was provided by The White House.(White House, via REUTERS)
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Secretary of State Marco Rubio during military operations in Iran, at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. February 28, 2026. This image was provided by The White House.(The White House, via REUTERS)
An NBC News live feed airs a clip from U.S. President Donald Trump's Truth Social video announcement in the White House James S. Brady Press Briefing Room on February 28, 2026 in Washington, DC. U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States and Israel had launched an attack on Iran Saturday morning.(Anna Moneymaker, Getty Images)
A satellite image shows black smoke rising and heavy damage at Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's compound, following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, in Tehran, Iran February 28, 2026.(Pleiades Neo (c) Airbus DS 2026, via REUTERS)
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