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Project Meridian is a Pentagon study of future battlefields and military technology announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on September 30, 2026. TechCrunch reports that Elon Musk, Anduril founder Palmer Luckey, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich will co-lead it, under the direction of Defense Department CTO Emil Michael. The team has 120 days to deliver findings and proposals for developing, testing, and fielding advanced technology.
What Project Meridian is supposed to do
Hegseth’s reported assignment is to study “the battlefields of the future” and the “weapons and technologies warfighters” may use. According to TechCrunch’s account of Hegseth’s letter, the team is expected to submit findings and “actionable solutions to start developing, testing, and fielding” advanced technology. The report does not reproduce the complete letter, so the full scope and formal terms of the assignment are not established in the available account.
The 120-day deadline is attributed to Hegseth by TechCrunch. The report does not specify the date from which that period is counted or give a calendar due date.
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Who is involved, and what is still undisclosed
| Person or detail | What TechCrunch reported |
|---|---|
| Elon Musk | Named as a co-lead of Project Meridian. |
| Palmer Luckey | Named as a co-lead; TechCrunch identifies him as Anduril’s founder. |
| Newt Gingrich | Named as a co-lead and described as a former House Speaker. |
| Emil Michael | Named as the Defense Department official directing the work; TechCrunch identifies him as the department’s CTO. |
| Other participants | Participants from academia and policy are expected, but the report does not identify them. |
| Team size and partner organization | Not identified in the announcement, according to TechCrunch. |
TechCrunch said the Defense Department referred it to a press release when asked for more information and said it had “nothing further to provide beyond the Secretary’s comments.” The report does not establish how participants were selected, the complete membership, the arrangement’s formal status, or any safeguards concerning commercial interests.
#1 Best Overall
- Streamlined Strategy Gameplay: Command the major powers of WWII in 1941 and make decisive military and economic choices that determine the outcome of the conflict
- 160 Detailed Plastic Miniatures: High-quality figures with resealable bags ensure organized storage and help you visualize every battle on the map
- Updated Rules for Modern Players: Refined rulebook incorporates community feedback and errata documents to eliminate confusion and ensure smooth gameplay
- Perfect for 2-5 Players: Engaging war game designed for groups and families that plays in one to three hours, fitting any game night schedule
- Legacy Board Game Reimagined: The respected Axis & Allies franchise returns with improved components and updated box design for serious strategy enthusiasts
Why Musk’s and Luckey’s business ties matter—and what they do not prove
The appointments invite scrutiny because the companies associated with two co-leads have defense-sector connections. TechCrunch describes SpaceX as launching satellites for the U.S. government and operating a satellite network supporting national defense and security missions. It describes Anduril as a defense technology company that develops autonomous military systems and drones, and reports recent government contracts for defense technologies.
Those reported business ties are relevant context for assessing the project’s composition and any eventual recommendations. They do not, by themselves, establish a conflict-of-interest finding, improper conduct, or a particular procurement decision. TechCrunch’s report does not identify specific safeguards or say what recommendations the study will make.
Rank #2
- Change the Course of History: Command both military forces and wartime economy as one of five major powers in this classic WWII strategy board game designed for 2-5 players
- Updated Rulebook and Components: Second Edition features refined rules based on community feedback, double-sided punchboard tokens, and resealable storage bags for durability
- Oversized Playing Area Immerses You: The 40-inch by 26-inch game board creates an engaging tactical landscape where every decision shapes the outcome of global conflict
- Perfect Family Strategy Experience: Ages 12 and up can enjoy three to four hours of intellectually stimulating gameplay that bonds groups through shared strategic decision-making
- Authentic Historical Gameplay: Lead Germany, Japan, UK, Soviet Union, or United States in spring 1942, the historical peak of Axis expansion, exploring tactical alternatives to actual events
Project Meridian is separate from the Autonomous Warfare Command
Hegseth announced an Autonomous Warfare Command in the same address, but TechCrunch describes it as a separate initiative aimed at accelerating the development and deployment of autonomous systems and drones. Project Meridian is the study: its reported task is to examine future battlefields and propose technology actions. The available report does not say the command is part of Meridian or that the two announcements share a structure.
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- Membership and partner: The announcement, as reported, leaves the team’s size and partner organization unidentified.
- Process and safeguards: The report does not explain participant selection or how commercial interests will be handled.
- Recommendations: The stated goal is findings and actionable proposals, but no findings are available yet.
- Implementation: A proposal to develop, test, or field technology is not itself evidence that a program or procurement decision has been approved.
These details will determine how readers can evaluate the study’s authority, independence, and practical impact; the announcement alone does not resolve them.
Rank #3
- Four armies, each with their own unique figures
- Advanced rules, Enhanced combat, Elite army units, and New Team gameplay variant
- Country of Origin: China
- Product Type: Board Game
TechCrunch’s September 30, 2026 report on Project Meridian is the source for the reported mandate, participants, deadline, and disclosure gaps.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Brand New in box. The product ships with all relevant accessories
- Includes gameboard, armies with 4 Infantry, 12 Cavalry, and 8 Artillery each, deck of 56 Risk cards, 1 card box, 5 dice, 5 cardboard war crates, and game guide.
- PLAY USING ALEXA SKILL: Players have the option of playing this Risk game using Alexa. (Alexa device sold separately. ) Note: sound comes from paired Echo device.
- DRAGON TOKEN: This Risk game includes a dragon token. Players must destroy the dragon before it destroys their troops. A lucky roll can subdue the dragon and get it out of a player's territory
Rank #4
- Strategic Commander Selection: Choose from 24 legendary WWII leaders including Eisenhower, Rommel, and Yamamoto, each with unique basic and expert abilities that fundamentally reshape how Axis & Allies unfolds
- Hidden Advantages Change Everything: Secretly select your commander at game start to gain hidden powers that create unpredictable strategies, surprising outcomes, and fresh competitive dynamics every single game
- Premium Historical Artwork & Components: Features double-sided commander tiles with museum-quality original portraits of famous generals and admirals from nine nations plus two WWI Supreme Commanders with authentic military aesthetics
- Compatible With Any Axis & Allies Version: Works seamlessly with every Axis & Allies core game edition without changing fundamental rules, adding variable commander mechanics to existing gameplay you already know
- Strategic Depth Without Complexity: Integrate powerful commander abilities into standard games through intuitive secret selection mechanics that enhance replayability while maintaining accessibility for all player experience levels
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
