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The Pentagon Denies the F-35 Has a Kill Switch, but Its Software Demands Amount to the Same Thing (gizmodo.com)
submitted 12 hours ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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[–] [email protected] 41 points 11 hours ago (10 children)

There is no kill switch for the F-35, but the JPO’s statement points to the very real problems with the weapons system. In its own words, the jet “operates under well-established agreements,” its strength “lies in its global partnership,” and JPO “[remains] committed to providing all users with the full functionality and support they require.” In other words, the F-35 doesn’t fly unless JPO helps you, but don’t worry because it’s committed to helping.

The F-35 may not have a “kill switch” in the traditional sense, but the countries who bought it are locked into an irrevocable pact with Lockheed Martin and America. ALIS/ ODIN might not be able to turn off the F-35 remotely, but losing access to it can make it impossible to fly.

Only one country has escaped the F-35 software and logistics trap while still being able to fly the jet: Israel. The IDF’s contract for the jet allows it to operate its own software systems without ALIS/ ODIN and conduct its own maintenance.

[–] [email protected] 27 points 11 hours ago (3 children)

I don't understand how Israel gets to be so special. I also don't get how any other nation would accept anything less, especially once the deal with Israel proved it (politically) can be done. Technical feasibility shouldn't even be in question.

Well, I guess it's nice that militaries get to "own nothing and be happy" too.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 8 hours ago

There is a certain group of people in the US that continue to give special treatment to Israel because they believe that helping Israel “restore” itself will more quickly bring the rapture and Armageddon. Interestingly enough this belief tends to include the idea that Jews and Muslims won’t survive the ensuing necessary war.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

It's actually a very telling carve-out, and I have no idea what it's doing so far down in the article. It should have been front and center.

The only two logical conclusions I can see are:

  • Israel is so sharp with their negotiation that they spotted and fought for something that it just didn't occur to anyone else would be something worth worrying about (possible, I guess.)
  • We already know that Israel is fucked without us, F-35s or no, so there's no particular reason we would need to separately ensure that their F-35s are fucked without us.

I very much suspect that it's the second one. Which indicates that the lock-in was an intentional decision, and one that actually would make quite a bit of sense on reflection.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 hours ago (1 children)

The foresight that using F35s for genocide could make some future US politician uppity.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 hours ago (1 children)

I think it is far more likely that some other country would fall out of our good graces than that the US government might become anti-Israeli-genocide.

(I am not saying you're wrong as far as the Israeli calculus or that factoring into their decision. Just that, as far as my own calculus, they don't really have any need to get concerned.)

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

Biden made some meek complaints about 2000lb bombs being used in dense urban environment. Israel had to put up with a couple of weeks delay on more of them. They signed contract in 2010. Maybe DNC could have chosen Bernie instead of HRC (just kidding).

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 hour ago

Oh, hello! I didn't even notice it was you when I was replying. Good to see you found a way to shoehorn "Biden" and "DNC" and "Hillary" into this totally related topic. You did it real smoothly, too, it totally wasn't some random hard turn into a rant about US politics and your favorite politicians from the US to talk about. Nice.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 10 hours ago (2 children)

Israel has a very strong lobby here because the US is their only source of strength. Spain or France don’t have that kind of lobby because they aren’t entirely dependent on the US for survival.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 8 hours ago

Plus it has the backing of the Evangelicals, for their own apocalyptic reasons

[–] FauxLiving 2 points 8 hours ago

Very strong lobby and social media messaging operations.

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