The Pentagon Denies the F-35 Has a Kill Switch, but Its Software Demands Amount to the Same Thing

The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin swear there’s no secret “kill switch” that they can flip to remotely disable the F-35 fighter jet. But the logistical supply chains and software requirements of the jet make it impossible to operate without U.S. support. Rumors of a magic button the U.S. can use to turn off one of its most advanced and expensive weapons exports have circulated widely online over the past month. On the surface, the rumor is ridiculous but the fear is widespread and has been discussed among serious enough people that the U.S. military-industrial complex has had to issue multiple concrete denials. While the F-35 has no easy “off” button it is a complicated machine that requires constant American support and fears of a kill-switch reflect real anxieties in its allies and customers. The F-35 is a bestseller. Sure the aircraft gets into a lot of accidents but that hasn’t stopped manufacturer Lockheed Martin from selling them all over the planet. Australia, Belgium, Denmark, ... Read full article.