Elon Musk targets F-35 program, calls fighter jets ‘obsolete’
By Karah Rucker (Reporter), Alex Delia (Producer), Bast Bramhall (Video Editor)
Elon Musk, now leading the Department of Government Efficiency, is targeting the military’s costly F-35 fighter jet program. Musk called manned fighter jets outdated, arguing that drones are the future of warfare and a smarter investment for national defense.
Media Landscape
See who else is reporting on this story and which side of the political spectrum they lean. To read other sources, click on the plus signs below. Learn more about this dataBias Distribution
Left
“It Will Get Pilots Killed”: Elon Musk Calls For US To Replace Fighter Jets With Drones
Click to see story on NDTVElon Musk calls on US to replace Trump’s favorite fighter jet with drones, says F-35 ‘will just get pilots killed’
Click to see story on Hindustan TimesElon Musk said the F-35’s makers are ‘idiots’ for still building manned jets as drone tech rises
Click to see story on Business InsiderMusk believes the world’s most modern fighter jet is superfluous
Click to see story on SpiegelElon Musk demands the replacement of fighter jets with drones: “F-35 has become too complex and expensive” – HotNews.ro
Click to see story on Hot NewsMusk complains about F-35 stealth fighter, wants cheap drones instead
Click to see story on der Standard ATMusk targets Trump’s favorite fighter jet
Click to see story on PoliticoMusk calls for US to replace fighter jets with drones
Click to see story on NZ HeraldElon Musk calls fighter jets ‘obsolete’, drones the future of air combat
Click to see story on South China Morning PostTrump’s DOGE Co-Lead Elon Musk Slams Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Fighter Jets, Advocates Drone Warfare As Pentagon Defends $1.8 Trillion Program – Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT)
Click to see story on BenzingaElon Musk’s new $100M school gets permit
Click to see story on Newsweek‘Will just get pilots killed,’ Elon Musk calls on US to replace fighter jets with drones
Click to see story on WIONElon Musk declares manned fighter jets like F-35 ‘obsolete’, calls for shift to drones in modern warfare
Click to see story on Live MintWhat Elon Musk says about the “invisible” F-35 planes that Romania will acquire through an agreement signed with the USA
Click to see story on Digi 24Elon Musk Tried To Shoot Down The F-35—Called For Armed Drones Instead
Click to see story on ForbesElon Musk takes aim at manned fighter jets and the Pentagon’s costliest weapons program
Click to see story on FortuneMusk calls for fighter planes to be replaced by drones
Click to see story on Le DevoirElon Musk slams ‘idiots’ making costly, manned F-35 fighter jets as he prepares to slash costs
Click to see story on New York PostTrump ally Musk calls for US to replace fighter jets with drones
Click to see story on The Straits Times“Age of drones”: Elon Musk believes manned combat aircraft are superfluous
Click to see story on n-tv.deWhy Elon Musk wants US to do away with manned fighter jets
Click to see story on Firstpost NewsMusk Takes Aim at ‘Idiots’ Still Building ‘Obsolete’ F-35s
Click to see story on NewsmaxDrones are the future of air combat, Musk says – Proposes replacement for…obsolete F-35s
Click to see story on ProtothemaElon Musk Shoots Down F-35 Defense Stocks
Click to see story on Investor's Business DailyRight
Untracked Bias
Elon Musk wants to replace American combat planes with drones
Click to see story on GloboMusk: F-35 fighter jets are a thing of the past, drones are the future
Click to see story on 大纪元 Epoch Times“There was no chance of success”: Musk criticized F-35 fighters
Click to see story on ГОЛОВНАElon Musk, dissatisfied with the F-35 plane: Too “complex and expensive”
Click to see story on AdevarulMajor F-35 crisis in the US… Elon Musk slammed
Click to see story on AkşamElon Musk calls for the replacement of fighter jets, including those bought by Romania, with drones: “There are idiots still building the F-35”
Click to see story on Stirile Antena 1 ObservatorMusk: Only “idiots” are still building manned fighter aircraft
Click to see story on KurierElon Musk barks at the fighter jets bought by Finland: “Bad design”
Click to see story on IltalehtiMusk advocated that fighter jets be replaced by drones
Click to see story on Dnevni list DanasElon Musk mocks the world’s most advanced fighter plane
Click to see story on focus.deElon Musk: This is Trump’s secret plan for the US Air Force
Click to see story on in.grAppointed by Trump, Musk wants to replace fighter planes with drones
Click to see story on 20 MinutesFor Musk, manned fighters are obsolete productions
Click to see story on O AntagonistaMusk calls for fighter jets to be replaced by drones
Click to see story on CNN GreeceMusk wants to replace fighter planes with drones
Click to see story on Le Journal de QuebecMusk vs. F-35: You have idiots still building manned fighters
Click to see story on Naftemporiki“Idiots are still building F-35s” – Elon Musk finds the most modern fighter jet superfluous
Click to see story on watson.ch/Elon Musk launches ChatGPT rival, xAI, new company hits $50bn valuation after raising $5bn
Click to see story on Legit.ng – Nigeria news.Musk asks to replace fighter planes with drones
Click to see story on The Washington HispanicMusk asks to replace fighter planes with drones
Click to see story on El EconomistaElon Musk slammed the F-35 fighter jet — Now a military scientist shoots down the claims one by one
Click to see story on T&TElon Musk said the F-35’s makers are ‘idiots’ for still building manned jets as drone tech rises
Click to see story on JingletreeElon Musk: Idiots Still Building US F-35 Stealth Fighter Jet
Click to see story on SINDOnews.comMusk believes production of fighter jets is unnecessary
Click to see story on vol.atElon Musk said the makers of the F-35 are ‘idiots’ for still building manned aircraft while drone technology increases – THE BHARAT EXPRESS NEWS
Click to see story on The Bahart Express NewsTrump ally Musk calls for US to replace fighter jets with drones
Click to see story on FOX 28 SpokaneMusk questions the future of fighter aircraft
Click to see story on 24 HorasTrump ally Elon Musk calls for US to replace fighter jets with drones
Click to see story on Insider PaperElon Musk Slams F-35 Makers: Idiots’ Still Building Manned Jets As Drones
Click to see story on NewsXWhy Musk shoots Lockheed Martin F-35s
Click to see story on Vogon TodayElon Musk asks US to replace manned fighter jets with drones – Dateline Nigeria
Click to see story on Dateline NigeriaMusk asks to replace fighter aircraft with drones – #FVDigital
Click to see story on Felix VictorinoMusk targets Trump’s favorite fighter jet – STAY INFORMED, STAY ENGAGED
Click to see story on New Movies & TV Shows, Trailers & ReviewsMusk believes production of fighter jets is unnecessary
Click to see story on Salzburger NachrichtenMusk advocated that fighter jets be replaced by drones
Click to see story on politika.rsElon Musk vs. the fighter jets: It’s Goo..
Click to see story on kikar.co.ilMusk sharply criticized the production of the American F-35
Click to see story on espreso.tvF-35: One of the most expensive weapons of the US faces problems with maintenance or cannons. He criticizes both Musk and Trump
Click to see story on echo24.czMusk calls for fighter jets to be replaced by drones – ‘They’re obsolete’
Click to see story on www.ertnews.gr“Idiots build them”: Elon Musk calls for abolition of US fighter jets – expert clearly disagrees
Click to see story on www.t-online.deElon Musk asked to replace the fighter planes with drones
Click to see story on rionegro.com.arElon Musk engages in battle with the F-35
Click to see story on aresdifesa.itNo more pilots: Elon Musk asks to replace fighter planes with drones
Click to see story on elfinancierocr.comElon Musk calls fighter jets ‘obsolete’, drones the future of air combat
Click to see story on sfdailyrecord.comWhy F-35 Fighter Jets Are “Obsolete”, According to Elon Musk #SocialMedia #SocialMediaMarketingTips #SocialMediaManager #SocialMediaManagers
Click to see story on corporatemarketingready.comElon Musk Calls F-35 Makers ‘Idiots’ While Championing Drone Tech
Click to see story on sgtalk.netElon Musk’s Next Skyward Venture? The Hypersonic SR-72!
Click to see story on elblog.plMusk asks to replace fighter planes with drones
Click to see story on focoinformativo.siteMusk Comments on F-35 Receive Pushback – Defense Daily
Click to see story on Defense DailyMusk: F-35s Are Obsolete, A Waste Of Money! – Helleniscope
Click to see story on HelleniscopeMusk’s comments, made on his social media platform, X, took aim at the F-35 program, which is over $180 billion above budget and more than a decade behind schedule.
Download the SAN app today to stay up-to-date with Unbiased. Straight Facts™.
Point phone camera here
Calling it the “worst military value for money in history,” Musk advocated for replacing expensive, piloted jets with swarms of low-cost, AI-driven drones.
While his remarks caused Lockheed Martin’s stock to fall by 3%, they have sparked debate over whether the F-35 is an indispensable weapon or an outdated relic of 1990s defense planning.
The F-35, developed by Lockheed Martin, is the most advanced fighter jet in the U.S. arsenal but has faced criticism for its steep costs and technical issues. Despite its troubled history, over 1,000 jets have been delivered, and in training scenarios, the F-35 demonstrated a 20-to-1 kill ratio against enemy aircraft.
Musk dismissed the program’s stealth technology, saying it is increasingly vulnerable to modern AI and infrared detection systems.
Drones, Musk argued, are the better alternative. Small drones used in the Russia-Ukraine conflict cost $10,000 to $50,000 each, compared to the F-35’s $80 million price tag. Drones also eliminate the risks to pilots and can operate in swarms, performing coordinated missions with minimal human oversight.
Get up to speed on the stories leading the day every weekday morning. Sign up for the newsletter today!
Learn more about our emails. Unsubscribe anytime.
By entering your email, you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge the Privacy Policy.
If Musk succeeds in steering the Pentagon toward drones, Silicon Valley companies like Anduril, Shield AI and Palantir could see major opportunities. Meanwhile, defense industry giants like Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Raytheon may face disruptions to their traditional business models.
Musk’s vision has drawn criticism and support, leaving the future of U.S. airpower at a crossroads as defense spending for 2024 already tops $840 billion.
IN A MOVE THAT COULD SHAKE UP U-S DEFENSE SPENDING, ELON MUSK IS TARGETING THE MILITARY’S MOST EXPENSIVE WEAPONS PROGRAM… THE F-35 FIGHTER JET… CALLING IT, “THE WORST MILITARY VALUE FOR MONEY IN HISTORY.” AS HEAD OF THE PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP’S NEW DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY, MUSK IS AIMING TO SLASH $2 TRILLION IN FEDERAL SPENDING, AND DEFENSE CONTRACTORS APPEAR TO BE IN HIS CROSSHAIRS.
IN A POST ON X… MUSK ARGUED THAT MANNED FIGHTER JETS ARE OUTDATED, INEFFICIENT, AND DANGEROUS IN MODERN WARFARE… SAYING DRONES ARE THE FUTURE.
MUSK POSTED A VIDEO SHOWING A SWARM OF DRONES IN ACTION, COMMENTING, “MEANWHILE, SOME IDIOTS ARE STILL BUILDING MANNED FIGHTER JETS LIKE THE F-35.”
HE WENT ON TO SAY:
“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 OBSOLETE IN THE AGE OF DRONES ANYWAY. WILL JUST GET PILOTS KILLED.”
THE F-35 PROGRAM HAS LONG FACED CRITICISM OVER EFFICIENCY. IT’S $180 BILLION OVER BUDGET, MORE THAN A DECADE BEHIND SCHEDULE, AND STRUGGLES WITH RELIABILITY, ACCORDING TO GOVERNMENT REPORTS. YET, OVER A THOUSAND F-35’S HAVE BEEN DELIVERED, AND IN TRAINING SIMULATIONS, THEY’VE ACHIEVED A 20-TO-1 KILL RATIO AGAINST ENEMY AIRCRAFT. STILL… THE PROGRAM IS EXPECTED TO TOP A STAGGERING $1 TRILLION IN TOTAL COSTS.
FOR COMPARISON, AN F-35 COSTS ANYWHERE FROM $80 MILLION TO $135 MILLION PER JET DEPENDING ON MODEL, WHILE SMALL DRONES… LIKE THE ONES BEING MASS-PRODUCED IN UKRAINE… COST AS LITTLE AS 10-THOUSAND. DRONES CAN OPERATE IN SWARMS, GUIDED BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, AND DON’T PUT PILOTS’ LIVES AT RISK. THE U-S PROGRAM CURRENTLY RELIES ON EXPENSIVE PREDATOR DRONES COSTING ABOUT $12 MILLION… BUT MUCH CHEAPER DRONES ARE BEING MADE BY TURKEY, IRAN AND CHINA. EVEN ON THE HIGHER END… UKRAINE’S NEWLY DEVELOPED PALIANYTSIA MISSILE-DRONE COSTS LESS THAN A MILLION DOLLARS.
WHILE MUSK’S COMMENTS LED TO A 3-PERCENT DROP IN LOCKHEED MARTIN’S STOCK PRICE, SOME EXPERTS ARGUE THE F-35 IS TOO BIG TO FAIL.
IN 2021… AIR FORCE CHIEF OF STAFF GENERAL CHARLES BROWN JR STATED THE F-35 WAS NOWHERE NEAR A FAILURE… SAYING:
“THE F-35 IS THE CORNERSTONE OF OUR TACTICAL AIRCRAFT CAPABILITY.”
BUT IT’S WORTH NOTING THIS STATEMENT WAS A CLARIFICATION TO BROWN’S PREVIOUS STATEMENT INDICATING THE F-35 HAS A MORE NARROW RANGE OF ABILITIES ON THE MODERN BATTLEFIELD, SAYING:
“IT’S LIKE YOUR FERRARI. YOU DON’T DRIVE YOUR FERRARI TO WORK EVERY DAY. YOU ONLY DRIVE IT ON SUNDAYS”
MEANWHILE, COMPANIES LIKE ANDURIL, SHIELD A-I AND PALANTIR… LEADERS IN DRONE AND A-I TECHNOLOGY… STAND TO BENEFIT FROM A SHIFT IN PENTAGON PRIORITIES.
WHETHER MUSK CAN STEER U.S. DEFENSE SPENDING IN A NEW DIRECTION REMAINS TO BE SEEN. BUT WITH 840-BILLION ALREADY ALLOCATED TO THE MILITARY IN THE 2024 BUDGET, THE STAKES ARE ENORMOUS… NOT JUST FOR NATIONAL SECURITY, BUT FOR THE DEFENSE INDUSTRY ITSELF.
FOR MORE UNBIASED UPDATES AND STRAIGHT FACTS… DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP OR VISIT SAN DOT COM.
FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS… I’M KARAH RUCKER.
Media Landscape
See who else is reporting on this story and which side of the political spectrum they lean. To read other sources, click on the plus signs below. Learn more about this dataBias Distribution
Left
“It Will Get Pilots Killed”: Elon Musk Calls For US To Replace Fighter Jets With Drones
Click to see story on NDTVElon Musk calls on US to replace Trump’s favorite fighter jet with drones, says F-35 ‘will just get pilots killed’
Click to see story on Hindustan TimesElon Musk said the F-35’s makers are ‘idiots’ for still building manned jets as drone tech rises
Click to see story on Business InsiderMusk believes the world’s most modern fighter jet is superfluous
Click to see story on SpiegelElon Musk demands the replacement of fighter jets with drones: “F-35 has become too complex and expensive” – HotNews.ro
Click to see story on Hot NewsMusk complains about F-35 stealth fighter, wants cheap drones instead
Click to see story on der Standard ATMusk targets Trump’s favorite fighter jet
Click to see story on PoliticoMusk calls for US to replace fighter jets with drones
Click to see story on NZ HeraldElon Musk calls fighter jets ‘obsolete’, drones the future of air combat
Click to see story on South China Morning PostTrump’s DOGE Co-Lead Elon Musk Slams Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Fighter Jets, Advocates Drone Warfare As Pentagon Defends $1.8 Trillion Program – Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT)
Click to see story on BenzingaElon Musk’s new $100M school gets permit
Click to see story on Newsweek‘Will just get pilots killed,’ Elon Musk calls on US to replace fighter jets with drones
Click to see story on WIONElon Musk declares manned fighter jets like F-35 ‘obsolete’, calls for shift to drones in modern warfare
Click to see story on Live MintWhat Elon Musk says about the “invisible” F-35 planes that Romania will acquire through an agreement signed with the USA
Click to see story on Digi 24Elon Musk Tried To Shoot Down The F-35—Called For Armed Drones Instead
Click to see story on ForbesElon Musk takes aim at manned fighter jets and the Pentagon’s costliest weapons program
Click to see story on FortuneMusk calls for fighter planes to be replaced by drones
Click to see story on Le DevoirElon Musk slams ‘idiots’ making costly, manned F-35 fighter jets as he prepares to slash costs
Click to see story on New York PostTrump ally Musk calls for US to replace fighter jets with drones
Click to see story on The Straits Times“Age of drones”: Elon Musk believes manned combat aircraft are superfluous
Click to see story on n-tv.deWhy Elon Musk wants US to do away with manned fighter jets
Click to see story on Firstpost NewsMusk Takes Aim at ‘Idiots’ Still Building ‘Obsolete’ F-35s
Click to see story on NewsmaxDrones are the future of air combat, Musk says – Proposes replacement for…obsolete F-35s
Click to see story on ProtothemaElon Musk Shoots Down F-35 Defense Stocks
Click to see story on Investor's Business DailyRight
Untracked Bias
Elon Musk wants to replace American combat planes with drones
Click to see story on GloboMusk: F-35 fighter jets are a thing of the past, drones are the future
Click to see story on 大纪元 Epoch Times“There was no chance of success”: Musk criticized F-35 fighters
Click to see story on ГОЛОВНАElon Musk, dissatisfied with the F-35 plane: Too “complex and expensive”
Click to see story on AdevarulMajor F-35 crisis in the US… Elon Musk slammed
Click to see story on AkşamElon Musk calls for the replacement of fighter jets, including those bought by Romania, with drones: “There are idiots still building the F-35”
Click to see story on Stirile Antena 1 ObservatorMusk: Only “idiots” are still building manned fighter aircraft
Click to see story on KurierElon Musk barks at the fighter jets bought by Finland: “Bad design”
Click to see story on IltalehtiMusk advocated that fighter jets be replaced by drones
Click to see story on Dnevni list DanasElon Musk mocks the world’s most advanced fighter plane
Click to see story on focus.deElon Musk: This is Trump’s secret plan for the US Air Force
Click to see story on in.grAppointed by Trump, Musk wants to replace fighter planes with drones
Click to see story on 20 MinutesFor Musk, manned fighters are obsolete productions
Click to see story on O AntagonistaMusk calls for fighter jets to be replaced by drones
Click to see story on CNN GreeceMusk wants to replace fighter planes with drones
Click to see story on Le Journal de QuebecMusk vs. F-35: You have idiots still building manned fighters
Click to see story on Naftemporiki“Idiots are still building F-35s” – Elon Musk finds the most modern fighter jet superfluous
Click to see story on watson.ch/Elon Musk launches ChatGPT rival, xAI, new company hits $50bn valuation after raising $5bn
Click to see story on Legit.ng – Nigeria news.Musk asks to replace fighter planes with drones
Click to see story on The Washington HispanicMusk asks to replace fighter planes with drones
Click to see story on El EconomistaElon Musk slammed the F-35 fighter jet — Now a military scientist shoots down the claims one by one
Click to see story on T&TElon Musk said the F-35’s makers are ‘idiots’ for still building manned jets as drone tech rises
Click to see story on JingletreeElon Musk: Idiots Still Building US F-35 Stealth Fighter Jet
Click to see story on SINDOnews.comMusk believes production of fighter jets is unnecessary
Click to see story on vol.atElon Musk said the makers of the F-35 are ‘idiots’ for still building manned aircraft while drone technology increases – THE BHARAT EXPRESS NEWS
Click to see story on The Bahart Express NewsTrump ally Musk calls for US to replace fighter jets with drones
Click to see story on FOX 28 SpokaneMusk questions the future of fighter aircraft
Click to see story on 24 HorasTrump ally Elon Musk calls for US to replace fighter jets with drones
Click to see story on Insider PaperElon Musk Slams F-35 Makers: Idiots’ Still Building Manned Jets As Drones
Click to see story on NewsXWhy Musk shoots Lockheed Martin F-35s
Click to see story on Vogon TodayElon Musk asks US to replace manned fighter jets with drones – Dateline Nigeria
Click to see story on Dateline NigeriaMusk asks to replace fighter aircraft with drones – #FVDigital
Click to see story on Felix VictorinoMusk targets Trump’s favorite fighter jet – STAY INFORMED, STAY ENGAGED
Click to see story on New Movies & TV Shows, Trailers & ReviewsMusk believes production of fighter jets is unnecessary
Click to see story on Salzburger NachrichtenMusk advocated that fighter jets be replaced by drones
Click to see story on politika.rsElon Musk vs. the fighter jets: It’s Goo..
Click to see story on kikar.co.ilMusk sharply criticized the production of the American F-35
Click to see story on espreso.tvF-35: One of the most expensive weapons of the US faces problems with maintenance or cannons. He criticizes both Musk and Trump
Click to see story on echo24.czMusk calls for fighter jets to be replaced by drones – ‘They’re obsolete’
Click to see story on www.ertnews.gr“Idiots build them”: Elon Musk calls for abolition of US fighter jets – expert clearly disagrees
Click to see story on www.t-online.deElon Musk asked to replace the fighter planes with drones
Click to see story on rionegro.com.arElon Musk engages in battle with the F-35
Click to see story on aresdifesa.itNo more pilots: Elon Musk asks to replace fighter planes with drones
Click to see story on elfinancierocr.comElon Musk calls fighter jets ‘obsolete’, drones the future of air combat
Click to see story on sfdailyrecord.comWhy F-35 Fighter Jets Are “Obsolete”, According to Elon Musk #SocialMedia #SocialMediaMarketingTips #SocialMediaManager #SocialMediaManagers
Click to see story on corporatemarketingready.comElon Musk Calls F-35 Makers ‘Idiots’ While Championing Drone Tech
Click to see story on sgtalk.netElon Musk’s Next Skyward Venture? The Hypersonic SR-72!
Click to see story on elblog.plMusk asks to replace fighter planes with drones
Click to see story on focoinformativo.siteMusk Comments on F-35 Receive Pushback – Defense Daily
Click to see story on Defense DailyMusk: F-35s Are Obsolete, A Waste Of Money! – Helleniscope
Click to see story on HelleniscopeStraight to your inbox.
By entering your email, you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge the Privacy Policy.
MOST POPULAR
-
President Biden pardons son Hunter ahead of White House exit
Read10 hrs ago -
Mexico votes to end watchdog agencies, critics question gov’t transparency
Watch 2:18Friday -
Hurricane season comes to an end after record-breaking year
Watch 3:18Friday -
Hasbro stock jumps as Elon Musk toys with idea of buying company
Watch 1:27Friday