Lockheed Martin is developing a new version of the F-35 fighter jet that could fly without a pilot.
The company’s CEO, Jim Taiclet, said the upgraded “fifth-generation plus” F-35 will build on autonomous technologies and stealth features originally designed for sixth-generation programs.
The upgrades may include improved stealth coatings, redesigned engine nozzles, new electronic warfare systems, and advanced autonomy software.
“In the case of other sixth-generation capabilities, we feel like within two to three years, we could have a meaningful increase of capability for the F-35 by porting some of these technologies over,” Taiclet said at Bernstein’s Annual Strategic Decisions Conference.
“We could make the F-35 pilot optional over a relatively modest time frame,” he added.
The planned upgrades follow Lockheed Martin’s loss to Boeing in the U.S. Air Force’s competition to develop the first sixth-generation fighter jet. At the time, Lockheed said it would continue advancing the F-35, which it claimed could deliver nearly 80% of sixth-generation capabilities at a lower cost.
Although it remains unclear whether the Pentagon will purchase the upgraded F-35, Taiclet expressed confidence in the aircraft’s long-term demand particularly in Europe and Asia.
“I feel that there’ll be strong support for F-35 over the next many number of years, because of A, capability, and B, the embedded industrial commitment already in Europe, and we’re seeing the same kind of demand trend in Asia as well.”
“Obviously, the geopolitical threat in both areas of the world and in the Middle East as well, are rising, unfortunately, and literally the only relevant aircraft that can compete with any fifth-gen opposition aircraft is the F-35 that’s in production today,” he said.
