Part 7/9:
Musk criticizes the F-35 program, pointing to its design limitations as ineffective and overly compromised for various mission profiles. While this is a valid concern given the complexity of the program, the military's reliance on a mature design raises pragmatic issues. The F-35 represents a level of technological advancement that is hard to parallel in emerging drone technologies, which are yet to enter full-scale operation.
Pentagon sources are currently evaluating the future of their sixth-generation fighters and drone technologies. These proposed systems may not be ready for deployment for another decade or more. Such a timeline casts doubt on Musk's suggestions about an immediate shift toward unmanned aerial vehicles as the primary tool for combat.