ELON MUSK WANTS TO END THE F-35 PROGRAM, BUT IT’S NOT THAT SIMPLE
Being on the receiving end of an F-35 is typically not ideal. As one of the most versatile fighter jets available, the machines are one of Lockheed Martin’s finest. That is unless you’re Elon Musk. The future co-leader of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) isn’t a fan, has been vocal about their ineffectiveness, and wants to replace them with swarms of drones. Experts disagree that this would work with present technology but the Elon Musk vs. F-35 showdown looks like it just may be getting started.
Elon Musk vs. F-35 Fighter Jets
These days, Elon Musk has a lot on his plate. Leading not only SpaceX, Tesla, X Corp, and soon to be involved in our government as a leader in DOGE, Musk has somehow found time to take on Lockheed Martin’s F-35 as well.
According to Musk, the F-35 fighter doesn’t perform the way it should, can be replaced by drones, and has a weapon system that doesn’t meet today’s standards.
“The F-35 design was broken at the requirements level because it was required to be too many things to too many people. This made it an expensive & complex jack of all trades, master of none. Success was never in the set of possible outcomes. And manned fighter jets are obsolete in the age of drones anyway. Will just get pilots killed,” said Musk on X.
While even months ago the statements made by Elon Musk involving the F-35 fighter could be nothing more than commentary from a man entitled to an opinion, things have changed considering his position in DOGE.
The department named after a meme is far from a joke and positions Musk to have an impact on how the government spends its money, which programs to cut, and recommendations on ways to become more efficient—like ditching the F-35 if leaders feel it doesn’t perform.
These are feelings Musk has maintained for a while, speaking about the fighter jet disparagingly in 2020 while also promoting the future of “locally autonomous drone warfare.”
Lockheed Martin Fires Back
The U.S. Air Force (USAF) may not be looking to comment on the current disagreements between Musk and the F-35; however, Lockheed Martin hasn’t been so quiet.
“As we did in his first term, we look forward to a strong working relationship with President Trump, his team, and also with the new Congress to strengthen our national defense. The F-35 is the most advanced, survivable, and connected fighter aircraft in the world, a vital deterrent and the cornerstone of joint all-domain operations,” said a spokesperson for Lockheed Martin in response to Musk.
Furthermore, various experts, including the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office (JPO) have continued to champion the aircraft, noting the preference by pilots around the world, adoption in multiple countries, and the aircraft’s proven abilities.
Leadership in Fort Worth has also defended the F-35 program against Musk’s harsher take.
Additionally, TCU Political Science Professor Dr. Jim Riddlesperger and SMU Political Science Professor Dr. Cal Jillson, have pointed out that the logistics of slowing production is possible, while the fighter jets are assessed.
Furthermore, they also point out that cutting defense projects is a much more difficult task because each affects different markets across the United States.
Elon Wants to Replace F-35s With Drones, Experts Show Doubt
The beef Musk has with the F-35 is multi-faceted; however, many experts believe his idea to replace them is a bit short-sided.
For starters, aerial combat is too complex for modern tech to handle. Even with the advent of AI, it’s lacking many complex decision-making skills that could hinder operations.
Furthermore, beyond humans not yet being replaceable by machines, getting an adequate amount of advanced autonomous drones is going to cost a lot of money, and will take quite some time.
Not only do you need to change production to have these drones physically made but the time and money to train military personnel cannot be discounted.
There are ethical concerns dealing with technology making combat decisions instead of humans, concerns about changing the military’s current strategy involving drones, and concerns involving the use of drones in highly contested, high-altitude airspaces.
Concern is a constant trend because drones simply can’t do what they would otherwise be tasked to do.
Elon Musk may not love the F-35 but it remains an important part of our nation’s national defense strategy. DOGE might need to look elsewhere for its cuts until technology can catch up to complex strategies where drones can match and surpass humans.
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