By Michael Specter
Musk Takes Aim at F-35 Jets
Tech billionaire Elon Musk has sparked a debate over the future of military aviation by calling for a shift from manned fighter jets to drones in warfare. Musk, the founder of SpaceX and Tesla, made his views clear on his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), where he criticized the United States’ F-35 fighter jets as being outdated and ineffective.
In a series of posts on November 25, Musk labeled the F-35 as “broken at the requirement levels” and “obsolete in the age of drones.” He argued that the design of the F-35 was fundamentally flawed because it was designed to be too many things to too many people, resulting in an overly complex and expensive aircraft that does not excel at any one task.
The F-35’s Failings in Musk’s Eyes
Musk’s criticism centered on the F-35 being a “jack of all trades, master of none.” He further stated that manned fighter jets like the F-35 are becoming increasingly irrelevant, especially with the rise of drones in military operations. “Will just get pilots killed,” Musk added, reinforcing his belief that drones offer a safer and more effective alternative to traditional fighter jets.
Despite Musk’s harsh critique, the F-35 is regarded as one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world, known for its stealth capabilities and advanced avionics. Since its introduction in 2015, the jet has been used by various countries, including the US, Germany, Poland, and Romania, although its development has been marred by programming issues and high costs.
Musk Posts Drone Video, Further Criticizes Manned Jets
In another post, Musk shared a video showing hundreds of drones flying in formation, captioning it, “Meanwhile, some idiots are still building manned fighter jets like the F-35.” His comments further fueled the debate on the role of manned aircraft in modern warfare.
Criticism from Military Expert
Mauro Gilli, Senior Researcher in Military Technology and International Security at ETH Zurich, responded to Musk’s statements, disputing his position. Gilli argued that the high cost of the F-35 and similar aircraft is not primarily due to the presence of a pilot, but the sophisticated electronics and software that power the jet. He pointed out that a reusable drone would still need expensive technology to match the capabilities of the F-35, making them less cost-effective than Musk suggests.
Additionally, Gilli emphasized that unlike drones, manned aircraft like the F-35 can operate in contested airspaces and benefit from stealth technology, which remains a critical advantage in modern warfare. He also highlighted that rival nations such as China and Russia are working hard to replicate the US’s stealth capabilities, underscoring the strategic importance of aircraft like the F-35.
Strategic Considerations and Global Impact
Gilli further argued that the mere existence of advanced fighter jets like the F-35 forces countries like Russia and China to allocate significant resources to counter them. “By simply existing, the F-35 and the B-1 force Russia and China into strategic choices they would not have to make otherwise,” he said, suggesting that cutting these programs could reduce the pressure on these nations’ military budgets.
Conclusion: A Shifting Debate in Military Technology
Musk’s comments have reignited the discussion about the future of military aviation, with some advocating for a greater reliance on drones in combat scenarios. However, experts like Gilli argue that manned aircraft still have a vital role in strategic defense, particularly in contested and high-risk environments. As the debate over drones vs. manned jets continues, it highlights the evolving nature of military technology and the challenges involved in designing the next generation of warfare tools.
Elon Musk Criticizes F-35 Fighter Jets, Suggests Drones Are the Future of Warfare
By Michael Specter
Musk Takes Aim at F-35 Jets
Tech billionaire Elon Musk has sparked a debate over the future of military aviation by calling for a shift from manned fighter jets to drones in warfare. Musk, the founder of SpaceX and Tesla, made his views clear on his social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), where he criticized the United States’ F-35 fighter jets as being outdated and ineffective.
In a series of posts on November 25, Musk labeled the F-35 as “broken at the requirement levels” and “obsolete in the age of drones.” He argued that the design of the F-35 was fundamentally flawed because it was designed to be too many things to too many people, resulting in an overly complex and expensive aircraft that does not excel at any one task.
The F-35’s Failings in Musk’s Eyes
Musk’s criticism centered on the F-35 being a “jack of all trades, master of none.” He further stated that manned fighter jets like the F-35 are becoming increasingly irrelevant, especially with the rise of drones in military operations. “Will just get pilots killed,” Musk added, reinforcing his belief that drones offer a safer and more effective alternative to traditional fighter jets.
Despite Musk’s harsh critique, the F-35 is regarded as one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world, known for its stealth capabilities and advanced avionics. Since its introduction in 2015, the jet has been used by various countries, including the US, Germany, Poland, and Romania, although its development has been marred by programming issues and high costs.
Musk Posts Drone Video, Further Criticizes Manned Jets
In another post, Musk shared a video showing hundreds of drones flying in formation, captioning it, “Meanwhile, some idiots are still building manned fighter jets like the F-35.” His comments further fueled the debate on the role of manned aircraft in modern warfare.
Criticism from Military Expert
Mauro Gilli, Senior Researcher in Military Technology and International Security at ETH Zurich, responded to Musk’s statements, disputing his position. Gilli argued that the high cost of the F-35 and similar aircraft is not primarily due to the presence of a pilot, but the sophisticated electronics and software that power the jet. He pointed out that a reusable drone would still need expensive technology to match the capabilities of the F-35, making them less cost-effective than Musk suggests.
Additionally, Gilli emphasized that unlike drones, manned aircraft like the F-35 can operate in contested airspaces and benefit from stealth technology, which remains a critical advantage in modern warfare. He also highlighted that rival nations such as China and Russia are working hard to replicate the US’s stealth capabilities, underscoring the strategic importance of aircraft like the F-35.
Strategic Considerations and Global Impact
Gilli further argued that the mere existence of advanced fighter jets like the F-35 forces countries like Russia and China to allocate significant resources to counter them. “By simply existing, the F-35 and the B-1 force Russia and China into strategic choices they would not have to make otherwise,” he said, suggesting that cutting these programs could reduce the pressure on these nations’ military budgets.
Conclusion: A Shifting Debate in Military Technology
Musk’s comments have reignited the discussion about the future of military aviation, with some advocating for a greater reliance on drones in combat scenarios. However, experts like Gilli argue that manned aircraft still have a vital role in strategic defense, particularly in contested and high-risk environments. As the debate over drones vs. manned jets continues, it highlights the evolving nature of military technology and the challenges involved in designing the next generation of warfare tools.
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