Last weekend, the Orlando Sentinel ran an opinion piece from Kevin Speed, ITI Engineering's president about the need for the F-35 Lightning project in our country's defense.
You can read the article here or below.
"All of the Above Approach” – ITI Engineering
In the ongoing debate over the future of military aviation, some critics have raised concerns about the relevance of manned fighter jets like the F-35 Lightning II amidst the rise of autonomous drones. While these critiques highlight the growing importance of drone technology, they risk oversimplifying the complex realities of modern defense needs.
Advanced drones are undeniably a transformative tool in today’s military strategy. They offer cost efficiency and increasingly sophisticated capabilities important to the future of defense. But as experts like Richard Aboulafia, managing director of AeroDynamic Advisory, point out in a recent piece, the underlying reality is fighter jets play an “irreplaceable role,” noting that drones can’t intercept enemy bombers or launch from thousands of miles away to support naval operations or other strategic objectives, for example.
Ultimately, this is about more than battling technology—it is about safeguarding the nation’s security and maintaining global stability. ITI Engineering provides critical parts for the F-35 while supporting hundreds of Central Florida high-tech jobs, playing an important role in our defense and fueling the local economy. As suppliers and stakeholders in the F-35 program, we take seriously the importance of delivering advanced capabilities that meet the demands of tomorrow’s battlefields, ensuring that the U.S. military stays at the forefront of defense innovation.
The debate should not be framed as a choice between manned and unmanned systems, especially when what we’re really talking about are complementary technologies, each excelling in specific operational contexts. The question is how to invest in our military in a way that supports our men and women in uniform by securing our skies. Over-indexing on cost-cutting measures will dangerously undermine essential programs like the F-35 – an indispensable asset in the U.S. military’s arsenal. The answer then is simple: we need to ramp up F-35 production to full capacity. Supply chain companies like ITI Engineering are ready to meet the increased demand for F-35s.
As the U.S. navigates an era of heightened geopolitical tensions, maintaining a balanced approach to defense is crucial. The F-35 program exemplifies the integration of cutting-edge technology with practical mission readiness, ensuring the military remains prepared for any challenge. While the allure of autonomous systems is undeniable, the idea that drones alone can secure national defense falls short of addressing the multifaceted nature of modern warfare. As we look to the new administration’s pursuit of peace through strength, there is no better asset for our skies, and those of our allies, than the F-35.
Kevin Speed is the president of ITI Engineering, headquartered in Winter Springs. ITI Engineering is one of 30 Central Florida small businesses that works on the F-35 Lightning II, a project responsible for an economic impact of $8 billion and more than 2,200 direct jobs in metro Orlando.
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Ashlynn Smith Marketing Communications Specialist
- February 26, 2025
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