Elon Musk will re-enter government service in a limited advisory role as co-director of Project Meridian, a Pentagon initiative focused on future warfare, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday. The project, which will examine emerging battlefield technologies and identify weapons systems needed for future conflicts, brings together Musk alongside Palmer Luckey, founder of defense contractor Anduril, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. In a memo, Hegseth stated the group would study future battlefields and recommend technologies for dominance in evolving combat environments. Musk has previously argued that future wars will be defined by autonomous drones and hypersonic missiles. The appointment marks Musk's most formal return to government since concluding his role leading the U.S. DOGE Service, which ended amid controversy and a public dispute with President Donald Trump. Following their reconciliation, Musk joined other technology executives at a recent White House meeting discussing artificial intelligence safety. The panel is expected to submit its findings and recommendations to Hegseth by late January.