Air Force may adjust F-35 buy as tech advances—Kendall pushes back on Musk’s remarks

The Air Force could curtail its planned purchase of 1,763 F-35 jets if advanced systems, like the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), prove viable, outgoing Secretary Frank Kendall said at a Mitchell Institute event. While reaffirming the F-35’s role in the near term, Kendall stressed Lockheed Martin must improve its performance after delays and cost overruns in upgrading the aircraft, as reported by Defense One’s Audrey Decker.

Kendall also addressed critical comments from Elon Musk, a Trump adviser, who called the F-35 “obsolete.” Kendall dismissed Musk’s remarks, noting his lack of military expertise and suggesting he learn more about defense requirements before making claims.

The Pentagon’s potential shift to autonomous drones is decades away, Kendall clarified, as crewed aircraft remain essential to national defense. His advice for his successor: lean on experienced Pentagon professionals to navigate the complex national security landscape.