The Pentagon has enlisted billionaire technology executives Elon Musk and Palmer Luckey to help assess the future of warfare, prompting concerns that leaders of major defense contractors could influence decisions affecting their own companies. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s initiative, called Project Meridian, also includes former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. The group is expected to deliver its report in four months, by January 2027. Its assignment is to examine the direction of future warfare, but the Pentagon has shared little about the commission’s scope or how its recommendations will be used. The department said nonprofit MITRE will lead the project’s analysis and recommendations, with assistance from Pentagon Chief Technology Officer Emil Michael. MITRE, which manages federally funded research centers, will use what the Pentagon described as appropriate conflict-of-interest and information safeguards. Those assurances have not resolved questions about the participation of Musk, who leads SpaceX, and Luckey, founder of defense technology company Anduril. Both firms have billions of dollars in Pentagon business. SpaceX provides rockets used to place military systems in orbit and has received two multibillion-dollar contracts to develop classified satellite constellations. Anduril has contracts involving counter-drone systems, interceptors, electronic warfare and uncrewed fighter aircraft. Nine current and former officials raised concerns that the executives’ involvement could provide access or influence that helps their companies win further work. A former Defense Department official called the arrangement a conflict of interest and said any resulting benefit would go to Musk rather than the country. The official spoke anonymously, citing internal deliberations. Wes Bryant, a retired Air Force master sergeant who previously led the Pentagon’s civilian-harm assessment work, described the appointments as evidence of government influence being concentrated among wealthy corporate leaders. Bill Hartung, an adviser at the Project on Government Oversight, argued that Musk and Luckey should be treated as vendors rather than military strategists. Anduril said it would meet the highest ethical standards when actual conflicts arise and pointed to the Pentagon’s history of seeking industry expertise on technology and military concepts. Musk and Gingrich did not respond to requests for comment. The Pentagon has already held two meetings related to the project. At least one included Sen. Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, and Phil Hegseth, the defense secretary’s younger brother, who serves as an adviser in the department. Industry experts have periodically advised the Pentagon across administrations. An Obama-era effort to connect the department with Silicon Valley, for example, was chaired by Eric Schmidt, then executive chair of Google parent company Alphabet. But the current appointments stand out because Musk and Luckey lead companies that compete for defense spending and have supported President Donald Trump. Democratic lawmakers questioned the choice. Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he was skeptical of putting the future of U.S. warfare in the hands of people without military experience who could benefit financially from decisions. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire said the move put political alliances ahead of national security. The report is expected too late to affect the Pentagon’s 2028 budget, according to a former defense official. Even so, defense officials warned that a perception of favoritism could undermine confidence in procurement or prompt competing companies to challenge future decisions. The project’s eventual influence will depend in part on details the department has yet to make public, including how recommendations will be evaluated and how conflicts will be managed.