Pentagon Denies Existence of ‘Kill Switch’ in F-35 Fighter Jets

The U.S. Department of Defense has rejected claims that the F-35 fighter jet is equipped with a remote kill switch, stating that no system exists to disable the aircraft mid-flight or during missions.

Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the F-35 Lightning II, also denied the allegations through an official announcement. The statement follows reports from some Western media outlets suggesting that the U.S. or Lockheed Martin could remotely disable an entire fleet of F-35s if necessary.

The reports specifically mentioned the Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) and the Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL), both managed by Lockheed Martin. However, the U.S. Department of Defense clarified that these systems are designed for data collection and transmission rather than remote aircraft control.

ALIS serves as a diagnostic and maintenance system, providing Lockheed Martin with data on malfunctions and operational status to ensure faster repairs. MADL, on the other hand, is a global communication network integrated with U.S. military systems, allowing F-35 operators to share real-time positioning and mission data. The DoD emphasized that while the U.S. controls these systems, they do not determine the aircraft’s ability to function.

The clarification comes amid growing tensions between the U.S. and some European allies, including Germany, which plans to acquire F-35A jets to replace its aging Panavia Tornado IDS fleet. Portugal, meanwhile, has ruled out purchasing the F-35, citing concerns over U.S. policy unpredictability, while Canada is reconsidering its procurement of the jets.

Airbus is pushing to boost Eurofighter sales across Europe to reduce reliance on the U.S., while French President Emmanuel Macron has urged offering the Rafale fighter jet as an alternative to the F-35 for the same purpose.

Also read: Lockheed Martin Faces Billions in F-35 Cuts Under U.S. Policy Shift