The debate over the future of aerial combat has intensified. Billionaire Elon Musk has advocated for a shift from manned fighter jets to fully autonomous drones. He criticized the F-35 fighter jet from Lockheed Martin and asserted that manned fighter jets are obsolete. Outgoing Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall does not share the same thinking. He noted that Musk is not a warfighter and needs to learn more about the ins and outs of aerial combat.
Outgoing Biden Admin Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall Responded to Elon Musk and Said the Tech Billionaire is Not a Warfighter and Needs to Learn More
Criticisms from Musk
Elon Musk has argued that manned fighter jets are obsolete in the age of unmanned aircraft or drones and further called the design of the F-35 flawed. He made a series of posts on the topic on the social media platform X which was shared on 25 November 2024.
He contended that manned aircraft are inefficient for missions like missile range extension or bomb delivery and argued further that reusable drones can accomplish these tasks more effectively without the added cost and risk associated with human pilots.
Furthermore, in criticizing the F-35, he said that it was broken at the requirements level because it was required to be too many things to too many people. He explained that this made it an expensive and complex multi-purpose aircraft not designed for something specific.
Musk has repeatedly mentioned that drone warfare represents the future of aerial combat and related military operations. Enhancements from technologies like artificial intelligence could avoid the risks to human pilots and potentially perform better in combat scenarios.
Nevertheless, in his upcoming role with the Department of Government Efficiency under the incoming Trump admin, he is aiming to cut federal spending. This includes defense costs. He noted that reallocating funds from manned aircraft to drones would be more beneficial.
Response from Kendall
Outgoing Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall responded to the assertions of Musk during a webcast with the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. He stressed that he has a lot of respect for Musk but noted that “he is not a warfighter” and “needs to learn a little bit more.”
He still agreed that the future might see a greater role for drones but he believed that this transition would take decades and not years. He further emphasized that fully autonomous aircraft replacing piloted ones is still far off in terms of technology and practicality.
Kendall also defended the F-35. He said it is “dominant over fourth-generation aircraft” and that there is “no alternative to that in the near term.” He argued that the F-35 would continue to be a crucial platform due to its capabilities and the investments already made.
The Air Force is still building its drone fleet and drone capabilities. The most notable undertaking is the autonomous drone system called Collaborative Combat Aircraft or CCA. Pilots are already training to manage CCAs in combat scenarios to increase safety and effectiveness.
Kendall sees the potential in integrating autonomous systems into military operations but insists on the need for a gradual transition. This should not be seen as an immediate replacement strategy. He noted that drones should complement rather than replace manned aircraft.