Elon Goes All In – Watch Him Destroy ‘Idiots’ Wasting Billions on Manned F-35 Jets!

Elon Musk, known for his ambitious ventures in technology and space, has once again targeted the U.S. military’s reliance on manned fighter jets, particularly the costly F-35 program. As the newly appointed head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk is set to advise the White House on significant budget cuts, including in defense spending.

In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Musk didn’t hold back. He criticized the design and utility of the F-35 jets, calling those involved in their continued production “idiots” and even adding a trash can emoji for emphasis. Musk argued that the F-35 is “an expensive & complex jack of all trades, master of none,” blaming the project’s issues on flawed initial requirements. “Success was never in the set of possible outcomes,” he claimed.

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… https://t.co/t6EYLWNegI

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 25, 2024

The Case for Drones Over Piloted Jets

Musk has long championed the future of drone warfare, stating, “Manned fighter jets are obsolete in the age of drones anyway. Will just get pilots killed.” According to Musk, drones controlled remotely or powered by advanced autonomous capabilities offer a more efficient, safer alternative to manned aircraft. He emphasized this point by referencing modern conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war, where drones have demonstrated significant effectiveness against traditional air assets.

Challenges for the F-35 Program

The Pentagon’s F-35 program, the most expensive fighter jet initiative in U.S. history, has faced mounting criticism due to its escalating costs and technical issues. Bloomberg recently reported a 10% increase in costs, bringing the program’s total to $485 billion, as developers grapple with overheating problems. Over its lifetime, the F-35 program is expected to cost more than $2 trillion, with plans for over 3,000 jets to be delivered by 2088.

While Lockheed Martin touts the F-35 as “the most advanced, survivable, and connected fighter aircraft in the world,” Musk remains unconvinced. “Crewed fighter jets are an inefficient way to extend the range of missiles or drop bombs,” he wrote, arguing that reusable drones could perform these tasks more effectively and at a lower cost.

Pentagon Criticism and Spending Reform

In a joint Wall Street Journal piece with entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, Musk highlighted the Pentagon’s financial mismanagement, noting that the department has failed seven consecutive audits. With an annual budget exceeding $800 billion, Musk and Ramaswamy see room for drastic reform. Musk believes his department could cut at least $2 trillion from federal spending, with the F-35 program potentially on the chopping block.

The Rise of Disruptive Technology

Musk isn’t alone in pushing for a defense shift toward autonomous systems. Palmer Luckey, founder of Anduril Industries, has developed AI-powered drones and submarines that have gained traction with the Pentagon and international buyers. These systems aim to minimize human risk by replacing troops with advanced machinery on the battlefield.

Anduril’s autonomous weapons have already been deployed in Ukraine and sold to several allied nations. The company’s rapid rise highlights the growing demand for cost-efficient and high-tech alternatives to traditional military hardware.

The Debate Over Manned Aircraft

Despite Musk’s sharp critique, the Pentagon and its allies stand firm in their support of the F-35. “We have combat-capable aircraft in operation today, and they perform exceptionally well against the threat for which they were designed,” a Pentagon spokesperson said. Similarly, Lockheed Martin reiterated its commitment to working with the government, calling the jets integral to modern warfare.

Musk, however, remains skeptical. Beyond their battlefield performance, he mockingly suggested that fighter jets serve another unintended purpose: “Fighter jets do have the advantage of helping Air Force officers get laid. Drones are much less effective in this regard,” he joked, adding a laughing emoji.

What’s Next?

As Musk prepares to advise on federal budget reductions, the future of the F-35 program remains uncertain. His vision for a drone-dominated military aligns with his broader ethos of innovation and cost efficiency, challenging traditional defense models. Whether his cost-cutting measures will reshape the Pentagon’s priorities remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Musk is ready to shake things up.