Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who also heads the new Department of Government Effectiveness advising President-elect Donald Trump, criticized the F-35 stealth fighter on Sunday while endorsing drones on human-controlled jets.
On his X social media platformhe reposted a video of flocks of synchronized drones flying in complex formations and added, “Meanwhile, some idiots are still building manned fighter jets like the F- 35.”
Below a user’s comment saying “Drones are the new level of warfare,” Musk responded with a “100” emoji indicating strong support.
Meanwhile, some idiots are still building manned fighter jets like the F-35 🗑️ 🫠
pic.twitter.com/4JX27qcxz1– Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 24, 2024
“We have combat capable aircraft in service today and they are extremely effective against the threat they were designed to meet. The pilots repeatedly emphasized that this is the fighter they want to send to the battlefield if required,” said a spokesman for the Pentagon’s joint program office. “The international presence of this aviation system will amplify the benefits of the platform and this is the aircraft of choice for Partners and Allies. The program includes US Services, seven International Partners and 12 Foreign Military Sales customers, and FMS’s interest in the platform continues to grow. In the next 10 years, there will be 700 F-35s in Europe and only 60 of them will belong to the US.”
Lockheed Martinprime contractor, said the company will work with the new administration and support the F-35’s capabilities.
“As we did during his first term, we look forward to a close working relationship with President Trump, his team and his team,” a company spokesperson said in a statement. as with the new Congress to strengthen our defense.” “The F-35 is the most advanced, survivable and connected fighter aircraft in the world, a vital deterrent and the foundation of joint operations across all domains.”
To be sure, the Pentagon has used a variety of drones for decades, including for surveillance and airstrike missions. And ideas for future next-generation air superiority programs include a combination of manned and unmanned fighters.
But Silicon Valley defense startups like Anduril is also developing drones while also seeking to change the way the Pentagon develops and purchases weapons. In fact, Anduril’s executive chairman reported consulted with Trump and his team on military reform.
Meanwhile, hundreds of F-35s have been used by the US military and leading allies around the world. During its production cycle, the Pentagon plans to buy about 2,400 F-35s for the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps to replace aging non-stealth fighters.
The Pentagon first awarded the contract to Lockheed in 2001, but the program remains a perennial stumbling block due to cost overruns, delays and a hefty price tag.
After including the costs to develop, produce, operate and maintain the final F-35 fleet throughout the fighter’s service life, could last until 2088The Department of Defense estimates that the F-35 will cost $1.8 trillion, making it the Pentagon’s most expensive weapons program.
A recently declassified report from the Department of Defense’s director of weapons testing found that the F-35’s reliability, maintainability, and readiness were “below service expectations.Responding to that report, Lockheed said the F-35 “consistently meets or exceeds the performance reliability requirements we are contracted to deliver.”
in one Wall Street Journal article On Wednesday, in laying out DOGE’s agenda, Musk and co-director Vivek Ramaswamy did not highlight any weapons programs but noted that the Pentagon recently failed its seventh consecutive audit. continued, “showing that the agency’s leadership has no idea what their $800+ annual budget is.” billions have been spent.”
Any changes to the defense budget and weapons purchases ultimately must go through Congress, and F-35 production is spread across many different districts and subcontractors.
