Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX and Tesla and co-head of the new Department of Government Efficiency advising President-elect Donald Trump, has once again criticized the F-35 stealth fighter, endorsing unmanned drones as the future of air combat.
Musk took to his social media platform, X, on Sunday, reposting a video of synchronized drone swarms in elaborate formations and adding, “Meanwhile, some idiots are still building manned fighter jets like the F-35.”
This is not the first time Musk has expressed skepticism about the continued use of manned fighter jets. Back in 2020, Musk declared that the era of traditional fighter jets was coming to an end, stating that the F-35 should have a competitor in the form of an unmanned aerial vehicle.
Musk reiterated his position by responding to a comment from a user who said, “Drones are the new level of warfare,” with a “100” emoji.
Meanwhile, some idiots are still building manned fighter jets like the F-35 🗑️ 🫠
pic.twitter.com/4JX27qcxz1— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 24, 2024
When asked about competition, Musk was clear: “I think competition is a good thing. It may seem at times that we should focus our efforts on one system rather than divide them and have two competing systems. Like, not to cause controversy, like, in my opinion, Joint Strike Fighter… There should be a competitor to JSF… I know it’s a controversial subject, but, you know, it’s not good to have one provider. It’s good to have competition where that competition is meaningful and somebody can actually lose…”
In a response to a question from Aviation Week reporter Lee Hudson, Musk clarified what kind of competitor he envisioned for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. He stated: “The competitor should be a drone fighter plane that’s remote controlled by a human, but with its maneuvers augmented by autonomy. The F-35 would have no chance against it.”
Musk’s renewed criticism of the F-35 comes at a time when the debate about the future of air combat is intensifying. The F-35, a fifth-generation multirole fighter developed by Lockheed Martin, has faced its share of criticism for development delays, cost overruns, and questions regarding its combat effectiveness. However, it remains a central component of U.S. and allied air forces.
Musk’s advocacy for drone-based warfare aligns with a broader trend in military circles toward unmanned systems, which are increasingly seen as a way to enhance operational capabilities while reducing risk to pilots. The concept of remote-controlled drones augmented by artificial intelligence and autonomous features presents a vision of air combat that diverges sharply from traditional manned fighter jets.
While Musk’s comments continue to stir debate, they reflect a growing consensus that unmanned and autonomous systems will play an increasingly dominant role in future military operations. His suggestion that the F-35 would be no match for a properly developed drone competitor underscores the disruptive potential of emerging technologies in reshaping the future of warfare.
The F-35 program, despite its criticisms, is currently the backbone of many allied air forces, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan.