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Key Points: The fiscal year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) has reduced the U.S. military’s F-35 Lightning II orders from 68 to 58, citing unresolved issues with the TR-3 software/hardware upgrade.

-While Lockheed Martin plans to finalize combat-ready software next year, lawmakers want assurances on research, sustainment, and cost-efficiency. Meanwhile, Elon Musk, leading the new “Department of Government Efficiency,” has openly criticized the F-35 program, labeling it as obsolete compared to drones.

-There are concerns Musk may push for deeper cuts, threatening the program’s massive economic impact and role in U.S. defense strategy.

Lawmakers Are Cutting F-35 Fighter Deliveries – Could Elon Musk Cut Even More?

The U.S. military will likely receive fewer Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighters in the coming months, as lawmakers on Capitol Hill have cut the order from 68 to 58 aircraft in the proposed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2025 (FY25). On Saturday, the U.S. House of Representatives and United States Senate released the compromise version of the NDAA, which had a $895.2 billion topline – under the congressionally mandated Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) cap.

The NDAA also set the acquisition of the fifth-generation stealth fighter at just 48, until the Pentagon can explain what is being done to fix several issues, including its Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) upgrades.

Fewer F-35s in 2025

Under the FY25 NDAA, the United States Air Force should expect to receive 30 F-35As, the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant; while the United States Marine Corps will get nine F-35Bs, the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) models; and the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps would receive nine F-35Cs, the carrier-based versions.

The U.S. Department of Defense originally called for 42 F-35As, 13 F-35Bs, and F-35Cs.

However, the TR-3 upgrade resulted in the Pentagon’s refusal to accept the fifth-gen fighters until the software/hardware update was finalized. In July 2023, deliveries were put on hold – and it wasn’t until this past summer that deliveries resumed. Around 100 of the expensive warplanes piled up at Lockheed Martin’s facilities in Fort Worth, Texas.

PHILIPPINE SEA (Feb. 9, 2022) An F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) launches from the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) during joint Exercise Noble Fusion. Noble Fusion demonstrates that Navy and Marine Corps forward-deployed stand-in naval expeditionary forces can rapidly aggregate Marine Expeditionary Unit/Amphibious Ready Group teams at sea, along with a carrier strike group, as well as other joint force elements and allies, in order to conduct lethal sea-denial operations, seize key maritime terrain, guarantee freedom of movement, and create advantage for US, partner and allied forces. Naval Expeditionary forces conduct training throughout the year, in the Indo-Pacific, to maintain readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Thomas B. Contant).

The aerospace giant was able to release a truncated version of the TR-3 software, which can be used in combat training missions, while a final combat version is set to be released next year. At that time, the fleet of F-35s will need to receive the “final” upgrade. Due to these issues, the Pentagon has withheld $5 million per aircraft in payments to Lockheed Martin, Defense News reported, adding that the defense contractor won’t receive the money “until the new F-35s are combat-capable.”

In addition, the 10 additional F-35s will only be released when the incoming Secretary of Defense can tell lawmakers how the Pentagon will address the research, development, testing, evaluation, and even sustainment for the fifth-generation F-35. The NDAA will also require the defense secretary to send Congress annual updates for five years, beginning in April.

Will There Be an Elon Musk Effect on F-35?

There are already concerns in Fort Worth that Tesla and Space X founder Elon Musk could cut even more spending on the F-35. The tech entrepreneur, who has the ear of President-elect Donald Trump, was tasked with cutting federal spending under the new “Department of Government Efficiency.”

Last month, Musk stirred up a hornet’s nest when he praised a Chinese drone demonstration and posted “Meanwhile, some idiots are still building manned fighter jets like the F-35,” on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, which Musk bought in November 2022 for $44 billion.

Musk went on to call the program, “the worst military value for money in history,” and “an expensive & complex jack of all trades, master of none.” He also doubled down on his support for drones, writing “manned fighter jets are obsolete in the age of drones anyway.”

There are concerns that Musk could direct Trump to slash the program, possibly even kill it.

A U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II aircraft, assigned to the 34th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, flies over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 07, 2019. The Lightning II is a fifth-generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility that provides U.S. Air Forces Central Command lethal war-winning airpower. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brandon Cribelar)

A U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II aircraft, assigned to the 34th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, flies over the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Jan. 07, 2019. The Lightning II is a fifth-generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility that provides U.S. Air Forces Central Command lethal war-winning airpower. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brandon Cribelar)

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram said that would be devastating, not just to the U.S. military, but to Texas and beyond.

“The program has an estimated annual economic impact of $72 billion and provides more than 250,000 advanced manufacturing jobs, according to Lockheed Martin. In the Fort Worth area, the program supports more than 49,000 direct and indirect jobs and $9.4 billion in annual economic impact,” the paper noted, adding that the Lightning II program is supported by suppliers and subcontractors in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. It also involves partners around the world.

The F-35 has been touted by Lockheed Martin as the most successful fifth-generation aircraft. More than 1,000 have been delivered to customers, and the aircraft is operated by 19 allied and partner nations. Drones may likely be the future, experts have agreed, but a drone swarm can’t simply replace a manned aircraft overnight.

Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu is a Senior Editor focusing on defense issues for 19FortyFive. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,500 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on X: @PeterSuciu – and on Bluesky: @petersuciu.bsky.social.