Elon Musk Criticizes F-35, Prompting Questions About Changes for Lockheed Martin

Elon Musk’s criticism of the F-35 fighter jet sparks questions about the future of warfare and Lockheed Martin’s role as Trump takes office.

At a Glance

Elon Musk calls the F-35 “obsolete, ineffective, costly,” advocates for drones.
Lockheed Martin prepares for potential changes under the Trump administration.
F-35 program faces scrutiny amid budget reform efforts.
Debate ensues over manned fighter jets vs. drones in modern warfare.

Musk’s Criticism of the F-35

Elon Musk, the tech billionaire known for his disruptive innovations, has lobbed intense criticism at the F-35 fighter jet program. Musk argues that the F-35, developed by Lockheed Martin, is obsolete in the age of drones and will endanger pilots’ lives. His comments have sparked a debate about the future of warfare and the allocation of defense budgets.

Musk’s criticism centers on the F-35’s design, which he claims was flawed from the outset due to its attempt to fulfill too many roles. This approach, according to Musk, resulted in an expensive and complex aircraft that fails to excel in any specific area. The F-35 program, being the most expensive and sophisticated weapons initiative in the Department of Defense, has long been a subject of scrutiny for its high costs and technical challenges.

“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 said.

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.

And manned fighter jets are… https://t.co/t6EYLWNegI

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 25, 2024

The Case for Drones

Musk’s advocacy for drones over manned fighter jets aligns with recent trends in modern warfare. He argues that drones are more cost-effective and do not risk pilots’ lives. The effectiveness of drones has been demonstrated in recent conflicts, such as in Ukraine against Russian forces. This shift in military technology could have significant implications for defense strategies and budgets.

However, not everyone agrees with Musk’s assessment. Mauro Gilli, a military technology researcher, counters that the F-35’s high costs are primarily due to its advanced software and electronics, which would also be necessary for sophisticated drones. The Pentagon defends the F-35, stating that it performs exceptionally well against designed threats and is favored by pilots.

Lockheed Martin’s Challenges

As the manufacturer of the F-35, Lockheed Martin finds itself at the center of this debate. The company is bracing for potential changes in defense spending under the Trump administration. Lockheed CFO Jay Malave anticipates shifts in priorities, which is common with changes in government. The company is uncertain about which defense programs might face cuts but is preparing to adapt quickly to any new directives.

“I would expect, over time, that there will be different priorities in this administration. It typically happens, [that] the administration prioritizes things that maybe the prior one didn’t. I think the good thing about Lockheed Martin is that we’re accustomed to that. We know how to operate in that environment and how to adjust quickly,” Malave said.

Lockheed Martin is also grappling with financial impacts from a year-long F-35 delivery pause due to issues with a technology upgrade. The company expects to recover $600 million over the next few years, with $400 million potentially recovered by 2025. Additionally, negotiations for production lots 18 and 19 of the F-35 are ongoing, with costs expected to increase due to inflation and new technology.

The Road Ahead

As the debate over the F-35 and the future of air warfare continues, the incoming Trump administration will face crucial decisions about defense spending and priorities. The influence of critics like Elon Musk on these decisions remains to be seen. What is clear is that the landscape of military technology is evolving rapidly, and both government and industry will need to adapt to meet the challenges of modern warfare while balancing budget constraints and strategic needs.

The coming years will likely see intense discussions about the role of manned fighter jets versus drones, the allocation of defense budgets, and the direction of military technology development. As these debates unfold, companies like Lockheed Martin will need to remain agile, ready to pivot their strategies in response to changing government priorities and technological advancements.