Elon Musk Urges US to Replace Fighter Jets with Drones, Warns of Pilot Risk

Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of SpaceX, Tesla, and X, criticized modern fighter jets on Monday, stating that drones are the future of air combat. In a post on his social media platform, Musk argued that manned fighter jets, like the F-35, are outdated and only risk the lives of pilots.

Musk specifically targeted the F-35, a next-generation fighter jet developed by Lockheed Martin, which entered service in 2015. He referred to the jet as an example of outdated technology, stating that it was a mistake to continue developing manned fighter jets in the era of drones. He also shared a video showing hundreds of drones flying in formation to emphasize his point.

The F-35, known for its stealth capabilities and intelligence-gathering abilities, is considered one of the world’s most advanced fighter jets. Several countries, including Germany, Poland, Finland, and Romania, have recently signed contracts to purchase the aircraft. However, the F-35’s development has been plagued by challenges, particularly with its software and its high operating costs, which critics have frequently highlighted.

Musk described the F-35 as an “expensive and complex jack of all trades, master of none,” criticizing its design for trying to meet too many requirements. Mauro Gilli, a researcher at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, pointed out that the F-35’s high cost is largely due to its software and electronics, not the pilot. Gilli also noted that the development of the F-35 has forced US adversaries, like Russia and China, to invest heavily in their own aircraft and radar systems to keep up.

While Musk’s comments align with his belief in the growing importance of drones in warfare, Gilli argued that even if Musk’s viewpoint were valid, removing programs like the F-35 could alleviate some of the strategic pressures on competing nations.