Washington orders study of future warfare

The US defence secretary has ordered the Pentagon's chief technology officer to commission a study examining how future battlefields could evolve and what weapons and technologies the United States will need to maintain a military advantage.

The directive, contained in a memorandum published on X, points to recent US military operations in Iran as evidence of the capabilities of American forces and technology.

The memo says the operations in Iran "showcased not only the skill and bravery of our warfighters, but also our unmatched technological prowess".

Under the directive, Chief Technology Officer Emil Michael has been instructed to establish Project Meridian: The Future of Warfare through a partner organisation.

The project will examine emerging changes in warfare and identify the military capabilities the United States may require in future conflicts. It will also propose approaches for developing, testing and deploying those capabilities.

The memorandum highlights rapid developments in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, directed-energy weapons, robotics and biotechnology as technologies that could significantly change the nature of military operations.

It warns that the US Department of Defense should not assume its existing technological advantages will remain secure, stressing the need to continue developing new capabilities as other countries advance their own military technologies.

The study is intended to provide a framework for assessing future battlefield requirements and determining how emerging technologies could be incorporated into US military planning and operations.