In response, Can you tell me that the PRC doesn’t have a kill switch in any of its Export equipment? Can you absolutely unequivocally tell me that any of the fighters sold to say Pakistan or missiles or anything else doesn’t have a kill switch?
I cannot. In the same way as whether or not F35 has a kill switch remains unprovable for us the mortal and for the time being.
No; you can’t because if such a system exist it’s likely classified.
The same would be likely true for F35. If such was available it would only be known by LM, the DOD, and possibly the US government so as to keep it for a bad day. US partners in F35 have complained of the fighter sending sensitive data back to the US but none have stated a need for assurance that it doesn’t have a “Kill switch”.
Again, this does not prove the existence of a "kill switch" in F35 one way or the other. It does tell us that, because F35 relies on LM's support network so much, it's now easier for the US to implement a kill switch (or activation code, see below) in it than in previous generations of weapons.
Next let’s take a moment and discuss the stupidity of a kill switch. So you build a weapons system and include a back door that allows your brand new high tech system to be rendered a paperweight. Don’t you think the Russians and Chinese would be searching heaven and earth to find such? Hackers find back doors. Not Look for FIND! The RF and PRC have very good hackers DPRK and Iran have good Hackers any number of unaffiliated black hat groups have great hackers. Hackers who would love to ransom or sell a kill switch for bit coin beyond their wildest dreams that such a product would nab.
Generally cyber security it a big deal especially around programs like F35 which has been openly pointed to has having multiple hacking attempts. Under such a threat. A kill switch would be if anything absolutely stupid. Begging for your fighters to be rendered impotent if an adversary has hacked the key.
To be fair, the original tweet actually said "activation code", not "kill switch". Activation codes are not back doors. They are not exactly same as kill switches either. They are more like ignition keys.
You started talking about how Russians claimed that the US had kill switches in exported weapons. I was following your steps with the term "kill switch". Now you are blasting it as "absolutely stupid". In hindsignt, I should have known the differences between kill switch and activation code and not to fall into it.
As you correctly indicate F35 has a sophisticated network centered around it. That network has been part of the Bane of the F35 program management.
This network is centered around ground based maintenance and support management. This is as when in operations F35 is supposed to be stealth and transmission of live mission data to a centralized network is contrary to the whole point of Stealth. Which flies in the face of the Claim made. IE the missions would probably be launched before any kill command could hit the systems.
I would not want to get into details in network communication and cryptography. Let's just say that there are many ways to ensure secure network communications. I would be pleasantly surprised if LM cannot even figure out this.
Not all kill switches need live connections with motherships. And mind you that kill switches over network, in theory, can even work passively when needed. Hence stealth isn't something that stops implementing kill switches.
Finally You can call it a straw man if you like but my point is and stands. That commentator isn’t part of the F35 program. He has no inside information on the program. Is unlikely to have received any brief on the program even from Chinese Intelligence. He can’t produce evidence of his claim. In other words. He has nothing but hot air. If you want to take him seriously that’s your choice. But as a semi serious forum on military issues, using him as your informant is weak at best.
Kill switch and kill commands are generally up their with Conspiracy theories.
My point is that, even though you cannot refute him with evidence, you still called him "made up" after the strawman. That's weak.
By your standard, all speculations regarding things underneath the surface are just conspiracy theories then. I wish the same standard could be upheld everywhere.
