A powerful voice from Trump’s inner circle expressed grave worries over the weekend over Lockheed Martin and its F-35 fighter jet development.
Lockheed Martin Faces Loud Criticism Over Costly F-35 Program
A far-right activist took to social media to claim that the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters are simply not ready for real combat. According to her, the aircraft — part of one of the most expensive military projects ever — is filled with delays, defects, and problems that have cost American taxpayers a fortune.
She shared her worries in a detailed post, arguing that the jets sometimes arrive without fully functional radar systems, although no direct proof was provided. She also criticized Lockheed Martin for being too focused on social programs that she described as “woke,” suggesting that this focus has hurt the quality of their work. Many defense companies, including Lockheed Martin, discontinued some diversity and inclusion initiatives in January following changes in Washington’s leadership.
The $2 trillion price tag of the F-35 program makes it an easy target for anyone who wants to cut government spending. Even official government reports have shown that the program struggles with software development and testing new mission systems. However, despite these issues, the F-35 has still been declared combat-ready, and the military plans to buy almost 2,500 of these stealth fighters for use by the U.S. and allied countries.
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Specific Problems Pointed Out
The activist’s main complaints centered on several important areas. Although Lockheed Martin claims that the F-35’s AN/APG-81 radar system is the greatest in the world, she questioned it. This radar was built by another defense company and is known as a key part of the fighter jet’s advanced sensing abilities. Lockheed Martin stands by the radar, highlighting its power and precision.
Software delays were another major concern. The activist said that critical software upgrades are behind schedule, which could affect the jets’ ability to perform important missions. She also raised alarms about the fighter jet’s stealth abilities. According to her, the special panels that help the F-35 hide from enemy radars are showing signs of deterioration over time. These problems, she said, were backed by various media reports.
Adding to the list of criticisms, she called the project an unimaginable waste of government and taxpayer money. Her post stressed that ordinary Americans are paying for what she described as a poorly managed and poorly executed defense program. She labeled the F-35 program a symbol of how government projects can become too big, too expensive, and too ineffective.
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Lockheed Martin continues to defend its work in the face of these serious charges. A company spokesperson emphasized that the F-35 is combat-tested, brings the most advanced technology available, and remains the best choice for keeping the U.S. and its allies ahead of any future threats.
More Voices Join the Criticism
The activist’s comments found support from others who are also critical of traditional military spending. One high-profile figure, now working to cut government waste, quickly backed her up. He posted a short message online saying that manned aircraft like the F-35 could easily be defeated by swarms of cheap drones in the future. He has previously made similar remarks, arguing that future battles might rely more on unmanned systems rather than expensive fighter jets.
However, not everyone agrees with that view. Experts in military airpower have pushed back, explaining that drone technology is not yet ready to completely replace advanced fighter jets like the F-35. They pointed out that, while drones are improving, they cannot yet match the versatility and strength of piloted aircraft in complex missions.
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The activist also called for a deeper investigation into the F-35 program. She mentioned that top leaders, including those responsible for overseeing government efficiency and defense, should look closely at how the program is being managed. She urged them to find out whether taxpayer money is being spent wisely and whether the military is truly getting the powerful equipment it has been promised.
Even though the F-35 program has been praised for its technological achievements and its role in supporting allied air forces, the storm of criticism shows that questions about its cost and performance are not going away. Lockheed Martin remains firm in its defense of the program, stating that the F-35 is essential for ensuring safety and strength in today’s unpredictable world.