Elon Musk aspires to reach the Pentagon... SpaceX will create AI-powered autonomous drones for the US military.
The Pentagon is relying on artificial intelligence to create advanced weapons and software capable of neutralizing adversaries and improving decision-making. In late 2025, the launch of the GenAI.mil platform was announced, intended to provide the latest AI models to all members of the US military. This included integrating Google's "Gemini for Government" service to leverage generative AI capabilities during combat operations and even signing an agreement with Elon Musk's xAI to integrate Grok-based AI systems into the GenAI.mil platform.
These three initiatives are based on the rapid deployment of the latest artificial intelligence technologies among military and civilian personnel. These new capabilities enhance all aspects of the department's operations, making AI a daily operational resource. Returning to the development of AI-enabled weapons, the Pentagon's efforts are currently focused on selecting the software necessary to operate autonomous drones.
To that end, the US Department of Defense is seeking new suppliers to develop this technology, and SpaceX aspires to become the primary partner. Bloomberg reported that Elon Musk's space company and its subsidiary xAI are interested in developing autonomous drone software incorporating artificial intelligence and voice control capabilities.
However, SpaceX’s participation in the supplier pool has not yet been officially announced, given that the Pentagon announced in early February that 25 companies would be competing in the first phase of drone dominance.
If SpaceX participates in the supplier competition and becomes the Pentagon's main partner, Bloomberg reveals that Musk's company will provide logistical support, integrate electronic defense systems, include navigation software, and provide data processing.
Furthermore, unlike the 25 companies that entered the competition, SpaceX has the advantage of manufacturing high-precision equipment because it controls the supply chain and can replicate without affecting delivery times.
The Pentagon announced in a statement that "by 2027, the Department will deploy hundreds of thousands of armed, combat-ready, single-rotor attack drones," due to "the availability of necessary funding" and "the short timeframe for developing combat capabilities."
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote in his memo issued in July 2025: "Drone supremacy is as much an operational race as it is a technological one. We buy what works: quickly, on a large scale, and without bureaucratic delays. We will not compromise on combat effectiveness because of self-imposed limitations."