Palmer Luckey is back in the news as his crypto-friendly Erebor bank gets regulatory green light to start operations. Tech founder of Oculus VR (Rift) and niche hardware entrepreneur.
Recent reporting has shown the Iran war has significantly drained US missile and interceptor stockpiles, forcing the Pentagon to reallocate munitions from other regions and ask Congress for emergency funding. At the same time, militaries are increasing investment in low-cost drones, counter-drone systems and battlefield robots — including Ukrainian systems and US-funded autonomous drone programs.
The Pentagon has requested a dramatic funding surge for autonomous drone warfare and AI-enabled systems in the 2027 budget, with the Defense Autonomous Warfare Group (DAWG) receiving tens of billions to expand drone production, counter-drone capabilities, and autonomous testing with industry partners. The move follows a broader push to recalibrate defense priorities amid global drone competition and domestic manufacturing concerns.