The US jet fighter that can do it all—maybe

Lockheed Martin’s factory in Fort Worth, Texas, has birthed a remarkable feat of engineering: the multi-faceted F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The F-35 stands at the zenith of the military-tech world owing to its unparalleled features that maximize stealth, intelligence, and adaptability. Put simply, the F-35 is a luminary in the chronicles of aviation history.

However, the F-35 demands a significant fiscal commitment, consuming nearly a billion dollars per month from the pockets of the US public.

Nicknamed the “flying supercomputer” by former Lockheed Martin Vice President of integration and business development for the F-35, Steve O’Bryan, the plane is ingeniously engineered to assimilate seamlessly with evolving technology and software upgrades. This adaptable nature is critical for an aircraft slated to dominate US and allied air defences for the next half-century.

Currently, the F-35 lacks an integrated feature capable of controlling drones simultaneously, a deficiency expected to be rectified as drone technology evolves to match the F-35’s pioneering abilities. This opens up a spectrum of possibilities for future comprehensive drone-operation software compatibility.

The F-35 remains under the spotlight of eager anticipation. With over a hundred of these jets undergoing military trials and the first unit prepared for combat, ready for immediate deployment. The long-range blueprint involves the integration of more than 2,400 units into the US military, supplemented by additional units for allied nations.

However, the road ahead isn’t devoid of hurdles. The independent Government Accountability Office highlighted potential issues with the jet’s software, suggesting further setbacks in a project that already has its share of delays. Furthermore, the program’s cost from its inception until now has exploded. The projected cost for developing, acquiring, and maintaining the F-35 initiative over the next 50 years could skyrocket to an alarming $1 trillion.

This article was updated in 2025 to reflect current trends and insights.