Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who can also be co-head of the brand new Division of Authorities Effectivity that’s advising President-elect Donald Trump, known as out the F-35 stealth fighter on Sunday whereas endorsing drones over jets piloted by people.
On his social media platform X, he reposted a video of synchronized drone swarms flying in elaborate formations and added, “Meanwhile, some idiots are still building manned fighter jets like the F-35.”
Under a remark from a person who stated “Drones are the new level of warfare,” Musk replied with the “100” emoji that signifies robust help.
In the meantime, some idiots are nonetheless constructing manned fighter jets just like the F-35 🗑️ 🫠
pic.twitter.com/4JX27qcxz1— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 24, 2024
“We have combat capable aircraft in operation today and they perform exceptionally well against the threat for which they were designed. Pilots continually emphasize that this is the fighter they want to take to war if called upon,” a spokesman for the Pentagon’s joint program workplace stated. “The air system’s international footprint amplifies the platform’s benefits, and it is the aircraft of choice for Partners and Allies. The program includes the U.S. Services, seven International Partners and 12 Foreign Military Sales customers, and FMS interest in the platform continues to grow. In the next 10 years, there will be 700 F-35s in Europe and only 60 of these will belong to the US.”
Lockheed Martin, which is the prime contractor, stated the corporate will work with the brand new administration and backed the F-35’s capabilities.
“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,” an organization spokesperson stated in an announcement. “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.”
To make certain, the Pentagon has been flying a spread of drones for many years, together with for surveillance missions and air strikes. And an idea for a future next-generation air dominance program contains a mixture of manned and unmanned fighters.
However Silicon Valley protection startups like Anduril are additionally growing drones whereas trying to change how the Pentagon develops and buys weapons. In truth, Anduril’s govt chairman has reportedly consulted with Trump and his staff about revamping the army.
In the meantime, a whole bunch of F-35s are already in use within the U.S. army and amongst high allies world wide. Over its manufacturing cycle, the Pentagon plans to purchase about 2,400 F-35s for the Air Power, Navy and Marine Corps, to exchange getting old, non-stealth fighters.
The Pentagon first awarded Lockheed the contract in 2001, however this system has been a perennial punching bag attributable to value overruns, delays, and its monumental price ticket.
After together with the bills to develop, manufacture, function, and keep its eventual fleet of F-35s over the fighter’s whole service life, which may prolong into 2088, the Protection Division estimates that the F-35 will value $1.8 trillion, making it the Pentagon’s costliest weapons program.
A not too long ago declassified report from the Protection Division’s weapons testing chief discovered that the F-35’s reliability, maintainability and availability are “below service expectations.” In response to that report, Lockheed has stated the F-35 “consistently meets or exceeds the reliability performance requirements we are contracted to deliver.”
In a Wall Avenue Journal op-ed Wednesday laying out DOGE’s agenda, Musk and fellow co-head Vivek Ramaswamy didn’t spotlight any weapons applications however famous the the Pentagon not too long ago failed a seventh consecutive audit, “suggesting that the agency’s leadership has little idea how its annual budget of more than $800 billion is spent.”
Any adjustments to the protection price range and weapons procurement finally should undergo Congress, and F-35 manufacturing is unfold throughout varied districts and subcontractors.
