**Recent appointment of Elon Musk as co-lead of Project Meridian, announced September 30, 2026, by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, anchors the current trader consensus.** The Pentagon initiative studies future warfare domains, identifies capability gaps, and proposes technologies for U.S. military advantage, operating under Chief Technology Officer Emil Michael with co-leads Musk, Palmer Luckey, and Newt Gingrich. The effort runs on a fixed 120-day schedule, with findings and recommendations due no later than January 28, 2027, followed by a public report and classified annex. No subsequent official statements, Senate actions, or administration directives have indicated any change in Musk’s role or early departure. The short timeline and structured mandate reduce the likelihood of removal before completion, consistent with the 79.5% implied probability on “No.” Historical patterns of external advisory panels in defense reviews further support continuity absent new developments.