Elon Musk criticized the F-35 program on social media, calling its developers “idiots” for focusing on manned jets instead of advancing drone technology. He suggested that a remote-controlled drone fighter could outperform the F-35, which is projected to cost over $2 trillion during its lifespan, with 1,000 jets already delivered. Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy plan to address such inefficiencies when they begin advising President-elect Donald Trump in 2025. In defense, Lockheed Martin described the F-35 as “the most advanced, survivable, and connected fighter aircraft in the world,” vital to modern operations. A Pentagon spokesperson affirmed the aircraft’s combat capability and its importance to pilots who prefer it in warfare scenarios.
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