In the United States, Lockheed Martin is considering evolving the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter into an optionally manned platform to boost its ‘fifth-generation’ capabilities.
In terms of the new features planned for the Lightning II, Lockheed Martin’s CEO, Jim Taiclet, introduced new improvements for the stealth fighter, including radar-absorbing and infrared coatings and an unmanned operating mode.
On this aspect, Taiclet emphasized that it might be possible to make piloting the aircraft optional thanks to the technological developments already largely realized.
The concept foresees that the F-35 can fly without a pilot on certain missions, the integration of this capability could start soon and the first unmanned flight could be carried out within a few years if funding and development efforts continue as expected.
This evolution follows severe criticism from the wealthy entrepreneur Elon Musk, then leader of DOGE and influential advisor to President Donald Trump, about the future of manned fighters in the context of a modern war, who had judged the F-35 too expensive and complex, predicting the coming end of manned combat aircraft.
Nevertheless, the F-35 remains a pillar of Western air power, widely used by the United States and several partner nations, with steadily increasing and widespread aircraft numbers.
For its part, Lockheed Martin, despite the heavy loss incurred in the NGAD competition for the 6th generation combat aircraft in favor of Boeing, is currently updating the F-35’s software with the Block 4 modernization program that will allow the aircraft to gain new operational capabilities and improve those already available.
Photo credit @Lockheed Martin
