Pentagon Quashes Myths of F-35 Remote Kill Switch as European Anxiety Grows
The U.S. Department of Defense has rejected assertions that the F-35 fighter jet includes a remote kill switch, maintaining that no mechanism is present to incapacitate the aircraft during flight or operational missions.
Lockheed Martin, the producer of the F-35 Lightning II, has similarly denied these claims in an official communication. This statement was issued in reaction to reports from several Western news outlets suggesting that the U.S. or Lockheed Martin could remotely disable an entire fleet of F-35s if necessary.
These reports brought attention to the Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) and the Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL), both operated by Lockheed Martin. However, the Pentagon clarified that these systems are intended for data acquisition and communication rather than direct governance of the aircraft.
ALIS serves as a diagnostic and maintenance instrument, permitting Lockheed Martin to oversee malfunctions and operational status to enable more rapid repairs. Concurrently, MADL is a secure communication network facilitating real-time data exchange between F-35 operators and U.S. military frameworks. The DoD emphasized that while these systems are under U.S. supervision, they do not affect the aircraft’s operational performance.
This clarification emerges amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and various European allies. For instance, Germany intends to procure F-35A jets to modernize its aging Panavia Tornado IDS fleet, whereas Portugal has dismissed the opportunity to buy the aircraft due to worries about U.S. policy volatility. Canada is also reevaluating its plans to acquire the F-35.
In light of this, Airbus is advocating for heightened Eurofighter sales across Europe to diminish reliance on U.S. defense technology. Simultaneously, French President Emmanuel Macron has endorsed the Rafale fighter jet as a credible alternative to the F-35.
