“Manned fighter jets are obsolete in the age of drones anyway. Will just get pilots killed,” Musk wrote, advocating for unmanned technologies to take centre stage in air combat.
F-35 Fighter Jet Comes Under Fire
Musk reserved pointed criticism for the F-35, Lockheed Martin’s next-generation stealth fighter jet that has been in service since 2015. The aircraft is widely recognised for its cutting-edge stealth capabilities and intelligence-gathering features. However, it has faced repeated scrutiny for its high operating costs and persistent technical issues, particularly with its software.
“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,” Musk posted.In another post, Musk shared a video of drones flying in coordinated formation, commenting, “Meanwhile, some idiots are still building manned fighter jets like the F-35.”
A Global Defence Asset Amid Controversy
Despite criticism, the F-35 has been widely adopted internationally. Countries like Germany, Poland, Finland, and Romania have recently inked deals to acquire the aircraft. Proponents cite its versatility and advanced features, but its detractors often highlight its high development costs, operational expenses, and programming challenges.
Expert Pushback Against Musk’s Views
Mauro Gilli, a senior researcher specialising in military technology and international security at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich, challenged Musk’s assertions.
“So many wrong takes here,” Gilli wrote on X. “What makes the F-35 or the B-21 expensive is the software and the electronics, not the pilot per se … which is important because a reusable drone would need to get all that flashy electronics of an F-35, which is expensive.”
Gilli emphasised that drones would not entirely eliminate the costs associated with advanced defence technology. He also pointed out the strategic implications of the F-35’s existence.
“By simply existing, the F-35 and the B-1 force Russia and China into strategic choices they would not have to make otherwise (i.e. budget allocations),” he explained. Gilli argued that abandoning programmes like the F-35 could ease the burden on US adversaries, providing them with strategic flexibility.
Development Challenges of the F-35
The F-35, developed by US defence giant Lockheed Martin, has long been a topic of debate within defence circles. Entering service in 2015, it is regarded as the most advanced fighter jet globally, offering unmatched stealth and intelligence capabilities. However, its journey has been plagued by setbacks, including software issues and ballooning costs.
Critics argue that the aircraft’s development aimed to fulfil too many roles, resulting in a design that is complex and costly to operate. Still, its defenders maintain that its technological edge justifies the investment.
Musk’s remarks reflect a broader shift in discussions around air combat, with drones increasingly viewed as a cornerstone of future military strategy. While unmanned systems offer significant advantages, such as reducing risks to human pilots, experts like Gilli caution against prematurely sidelining manned aircraft, which remain capable of operating in contested airspaces and carrying out diverse missions.
