There's no kill switch. The F35 advantage is the mission data files that are frequently updated and allow the F35 to classify targets and threats. Essentially the US and partners collect the electronic signatures of enemy radars and package them so in a conflict the het can draw a box with a S400 label.
replySo it doesn't have a kill switch, it just stops being useful when it can no longer regularly phone home? That sounds awfully close to a killswitch to me...
replyCountries could generate their own MDFs but what's the point, it's from shared intelligence. Which is the premise of an alliance.
replySometimes variances in manufacture or maintenance of electronic systems allow the F35 to identify not just type of system but exact unit.
This killswitch claim is false and would be a huge vulnerability if it existed.
replyYou don’t need a fancy kill switch, just stop sending parts and updates, any sustained conflict will do the work.
replyAny F35 bought by Europe is nothing short of lunacy. You don’t buy from people hell-bent on having conflicts with you.
The UK alone produces 15% of the parts required to assemble the F35. Around 25% of the jet is manufactured/produced by the other partners of the program.
replyHeck the F35B only exists due to the UK demanding it. They have access to the source code (and so do Israel).
Due to political engineering some significant parts are manufactured in partnership countries. That supply chain is also a vulnerability for the US albeit to a lesser degree.
replyExcatly and even more they are stripped version. Export version is always inferior.
replyExcept the Israeli versions obviously. These are at least on par with domestic.
replyIam not sure about this, may be true. But in general exported products are always less capable. Be it f35, brahmos or s400.
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