Elon Musk, set to co-head the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, has criticized the F-35 fighter jet program, labeling it outdated in an era dominated by drones.
Musk argued on platform X that unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), whether autonomous or remotely piloted, are the future of air combat, offering superior accuracy and eliminating risks to human pilots. Sharing a video of synchronized Chinese drones, he dismissed manned fighter jets like the F-35 with a trash can emoji and remarked, “Some idiots are still building manned fighter jets.”
Musk further claimed the F-35, produced by Lockheed Martin, was “broken at the requirements level” due to its attempt to meet conflicting demands. He described the jet as an “expensive and complex jack of all trades, master of none,” adding, “Manned fighter jets are obsolete in the age of drones. [They] will just get pilots killed.”
His comments align with broader federal budget reforms he and Ramaswamy are advocating, aiming to cut $2 trillion in government spending, including Pentagon programs.
Musk’s stance received backing from Trump ally Matt Gaetz, who called the F-35 “a failed platform” and agreed it was time to focus on drones. However, Musk’s remarks may create friction with former President Donald Trump, who previously praised the F-35 as “invisible” and took credit for reducing its costs.
Despite Musk’s critique, a Pentagon representative defended the F-35, calling it a combat-capable aircraft performing well against its designed threats. “Pilots continually emphasize that this is the fighter they want to take to war if called upon,” the statement read.
UAVs, particularly in Ukraine, have demonstrated their effectiveness in modern conflicts, underscoring Musk’s argument for transitioning to drone warfare. However, the debate over manned vs. unmanned combat systems continues within military and political circles.
