Is this the end of the fighter jet?
The future of traditional fighter jets is being questioned as recent conflicts highlight their vulnerabilities. The F-35A, a key asset for Western militaries, faces scrutiny due to its high costs and operational challenges. As unmanned aerial vehicles gain prominence, the military may need to reconsider its reliance on expensive manned aircraft.
- ▪The F-35A is a staple of Western militaries but is expensive to operate.
- ▪Recent conflicts have shown that high-tech fighter jets can be vulnerable to low-cost attacks.
- ▪The US Air Force is facing challenges with the F-35's readiness due to software issues.
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Is this the end of the fighter jet? Drones don’t have mothers The F-35A is a staple of Western militaries — but it is expensive. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images) The F-35A is a staple of Western militaries — but it is expensive. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images) AviationF-35 jetsIran War Bill Sweetman May 27 2026 - 12:01am 10 mins If the Iran war, as President Trump promises, is soon to be over, the inquests will begin even before a treaty is signed. Was the US right to take up arms? Who, if anyone, was the winner? And what does this asymmetric conflict, with costly American hardware failing to prevent Iranian missiles from menacing a geopolitical chokepoint, tell us about warfighting to come? An instructive moment came on 3 April, when Iranian defense forces managed to shoot…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at UnHerd.
