Elon Musk Criticizes F-35 Program for Building Manned Jets Amid Drone Technology Advancements

Elon Musk, who is slated to advise President-elect Donald Trump on government efficiency in 2025, took to social media to criticize the Pentagon's F-35 program. Musk's comments come as he prepares to provide guidance on government operations to the Trump administration. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) projects that the F-35 program could accrue costs of approximately $2 trillion throughout its lifespan.

Elon Musk's Critique of the F-35 Program

Elon Musk expressed his disapproval of the F-35 program in a series of brief social media posts over the weekend. In a video showcasing coordinated drone swarms, Musk labeled those involved in building manned fighter jets like the F-35 as "idiots." He even went as far as describing the esteemed jet as having a "shit design" in response to a user defending its capabilities.

Musk's Stance on Defense Department Spending

While it remains uncertain whether Musk plans to leverage his new advisory role to influence the F-35 program's future plans or expenses, he has been vocal about his views on Defense Department spending. In a joint column with Vivek Ramaswamy in The Wall Street Journal, Musk criticized the Pentagon's failure to pass audits and outlined the need to address the exorbitant annual budget of over $800 billion allocated to the agency.

Costs and Operational Details of the F-35 Program

As of now, the expenses linked to the Lockheed Martin-developed F-35 stealth jet have surpassed $485 billion. A recent 10% cost escalation was attributed to necessary enhancements in engine cooling. Despite the hefty price tag, over 1,000 F-35 planes have been supplied to the US military and its partners, with plans to produce more than 3,000 aircraft over the program's lifespan, projected to extend until 2088. The Government Accountability Office foresees the total cost of the F-35 program to exceed $2 trillion for production and maintenance.

Musk's Advocacy for Remote-Piloted Alternatives

Musk has advocated for exploring remote-piloted alternatives to conventional manned jets, emphasizing the significance of adapting to the evolving landscape of drone warfare. He proposed the development of a drone fighter plane controlled remotely by a human, augmented with autonomous capabilities, as a formidable competitor to the F-35. Musk's stance aligns with his belief that such innovations are crucial for enhancing Air Force procurement competitiveness.

Reactions from Lockheed Martin and the Pentagon

In response to Musk's statements, a Lockheed Martin spokesperson emphasized the F-35's status as the most advanced and survivable fighter aircraft globally, serving as a critical asset for joint all-domain operations. They expressed eagerness for continued collaboration with the Trump administration and Congress to fortify national defense. Similarly, a Pentagon representative underscored the exceptional performance of existing combat-capable aircraft against anticipated threats, affirming pilots' preference for the F-35 in combat scenarios.

Despite outreach to Musk, the Pentagon, and Lockheed Martin for comment on the matter, responses were not received during non-business hours by Business Insider.

For more details, you can refer to the original article on Business Insider.

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By: mloh@businessinsider.com (Matthew Loh)
Title: Elon Musk Criticizes F-35 Program for Building Manned Jets Amid Drone Technology Advancements
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-f35-idiots-building-unmanned-jets-drone-warfare-doge-2024-11
Published Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2024 09:10:47 +0000