# Department of War Launches Project Meridian

On September 30, 2026, the Department of War launched Project Meridian and selected MITRE to lead a panel developing recommendations on the future of warfare over the next two decades. The study is due to deliver public and classified recommendations by January 28, 2027, covering capabilities that include robotics and autonomy; its findings may inform the Autonomous Warfare Command’s force-wide procurement priorities ahead of its expected October 2027 operational milestone. Agility Robotics CEO Peggy Johnson is participating as an individual consultant while the company’s proposed $2.5 billion SPAC merger is pending. The signals identify no Agility government award, open solicitation, contract value, or procurement contact, so Project Meridian is a potential source of future requirements—not a current bid opportunity.

- The recommendations are due **January 28, 2027**—about 113 days from the current date—and may provide an early indication of future defense capability priorities.
- Defense contractors, including robotics and autonomy firms, can use the study’s findings when assessing how their capabilities align with emerging force-wide needs; the recommendations are not yet stated procurement requirements.
- MITRE’s panel role makes its study and recommendations relevant to industry planning, but no follow-on procurement or contract details are identified in the signals.
- Agility’s CEO is participating individually, and no Agility award is reported. Contractors should distinguish this advisory role from a company contract or selection.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Information Technology
**Topics:** Artificial Intelligence
**Published:** October 06, 2026

### Government Entities
- Department of War (formerly Department of Defense) (DoW (formerly DoD))
- Autonomous Warfare Command (AUTOWARCOM)

### Vendors
- MITRE Corporation (Selected to lead the Project Meridian panel)
- Agility Robotics ()

### Key Quotes
> I see an important opportunity for humanoid robots to support the men and women serving our country by taking on physically demanding and repetitive logistics tasks, strengthening supply chains and allowing personnel to focus on higher-value work.
> — Peggy Johnson, CEO of Agility Robotics

### Sources
- [Agility Robotics CEO Peggy Johnson Joins Project Meridian: $2.5B IPO Bets on Defense Contracts](https://www.techtimes.com/articles/328583/20261005/agility-robotics-ceo-peggy-johnson-joins-project-meridian-25b-ipo-bets-defense-contracts.htm) - Tech Times
- [Tech Execs, Former Defense Officials Picked For Pentagon’s Project Meridian Future Warfare Panel - Defense Daily](https://www.defensedaily.com/tech-execs-former-defense-officials-picked-for-pentagons-project-meridian-future-warfare-panel/pentagon) - Defense Daily