Germany May Refuse F-35 Purchase over ‘Emergency Switch;’ Consider Eurofighter Instead
www.defensemirror.com
According to reports, a software back-door switch will turn the aircraft off if the client state does not follow Washington’s diktat in the use of the F-35.

I haven’t done adequate due diligence yet - could be inaccurate

I came across this article alleging that Germany is considering bailing on the F-35 aircraft because the US can remotely disable them.

If the US could do this to German F-35s, presumably they can do it to ours…

Additional reporting alleging concern in Canadian defence circles

  • b1t@lemm.ee
    1·
    15 hours ago

    Not a fan of speculation and we’re likely to never see any official documentation, considering it’s a military aircraft.

    But I will say: If it is true, it’s probably the dumbest thing you could do to an advanced fighter like this. Just imagine that you’re in a conflict, then the enemy hacks your command and control systems and disables/hijacks all of your aircraft. Yeah, that’s pretty dumb.

    Even the Star Trek writers realized this sort of thing is a bad idea.

    • Darkassassin07@lemmy.caEnglish
      0·
      15 hours ago

      Just because you put kill switches in the ones you sell, doesn’t mean you’ve got to put them in your own.

      But yeah, being able to remotely kill a fighter jet is incredibly stupid.

      • skozzii@lemmy.ca
        0·
        15 hours ago

        Just because you put kill switches in the ones you sell

        That right there is what it is. I can almost guarantee this to be the case, as a Canadian I have always opposed the F-35’s. We need twin engine for our Arctic climates and who cares about stealth when you are defending your territory. We aren’t an aggressive country.