A Navy Times article on test pilot Cmdr. Eric “Magic” Buus’ flight of the F-35C highlighted his description that the jet was easy to fly:

Cmdr. Eric “Magic” Buus was the first Navy test pilot to fly the F-35B and C. But hearing his take on it, you have to wonder how much the Lightning II variants really need a warm body in the cockpit.

The speculation will continue:  Some theories already exist that the F-35 was purpose-built to one day be unmanned, despite its cockpit.