The U.S. Department of Defense has dismissed claims that the F-35 fighter jet contains a remote kill switch, asserting that no mechanism exists to disable the aircraft mid-flight or during operations.
Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-35 Lightning II, also refuted these allegations in an official statement. The clarification comes in response to reports from some Western media suggesting that the U.S. or Lockheed Martin could remotely deactivate an entire fleet of F-35s if necessary.
These reports highlighted the Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) and the Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL), both managed by Lockheed Martin. However, the Pentagon explained that these systems are designed for data collection and communication rather than direct control of the aircraft.
ALIS functions as a diagnostic and maintenance tool, allowing Lockheed Martin to monitor malfunctions and operational status to facilitate quicker repairs. Meanwhile, MADL is a secure communication network enabling real-time data sharing between F-35 operators and U.S. military systems. The DoD underscored that while these systems are under U.S. oversight, they do not impact the aircraft’s operational capability.
This clarification comes as tensions rise between the U.S. and some European allies. Germany, for example, plans to procure F-35A jets to replace its aging Panavia Tornado IDS fleet, while Portugal has ruled out purchasing the aircraft due to concerns over U.S. policy unpredictability. Canada is also reconsidering its acquisition of the F-35.
In response, Airbus is pushing for increased Eurofighter sales across Europe to reduce dependence on U.S. defense technology. At the same time, French President Emmanuel Macron has advocated for the Rafale fighter jet as a viable alternative to the F-35.
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