- SpaceX and its AI subsidiary xAI have reportedly been invited to participate in a Pentagon prize contest focused on autonomous drone swarming technology
- The six-month competition offers a $100 million award for developing advanced drone systems
- The Pentagon is prioritising tools to counter unauthorised drones around airports and large public gatherings, including the FIFA World Cup and America250 celebrations
SpaceX and its AI subsidiary xAI have reportedly been tapped by the Pentagon to compete in a new prize challenge focused on autonomous drone swarming technology, according to Bloomberg News.
The six-month contest, launched in January, carries a $100 million award.
Bloomberg reported that SpaceX and xAI are among a select group invited to participate in the Defense Department’s initiative to advance drone swarming capabilities.
The competition aims to develop systems that can convert voice commands into digital instructions and coordinate fleets of autonomous drones.
Neither SpaceX, xAI, nor the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit has publicly commented on the report. Reuters noted it could not independently verify the details.
This development follows SpaceX’s recent acquisition of xAI, a move that reportedly pushed the combined valuation of the companies to $1.25 trillion. The competition also comes as SpaceX prepares for a potential initial public offering later this year.
The Pentagon has been accelerating drone deployment and expanding domestic manufacturing capacity, while also exploring tools to counter unauthorised drones near airports and large public events.
The heightened focus on aerial security comes ahead of major gatherings this year, including the FIFA World Cup and America250 celebrations.
The reported challenge aligns with broader Defense Department investments in artificial intelligence.
Last year, OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and xAI each secured Pentagon contracts worth up to $200 million to advance AI applications in defense.
Elon Musk, who signed a 2015 open letter with AI and robotics researchers calling for a ban on offensive autonomous weapons, has in recent years expressed on X the potential strengths of drone technologies in combat scenarios.