US Military in Search for Missing ‘Advanced’ F-35 Fighter Jet After Incident
Lost: Flying object, about 51 feet long and 35 feet wide at the wings. Likely to have really cool military paint job.
If found, return to Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina.
Reward? Are you kidding? This is government work.
Best meme of the day! Missing F-35 #F35 pic.twitter.com/P9BVmm6Kgu
— The Dutch Doge Guy (@070guy) September 18, 2023
OK, so that’s not exactly the text of the announcement put out by the base after a Marine Corps F-35 went missing Sunday, but there was in fact a public alert out because an F-35 seemed to misplace itself, taking its stealth capabilities to a whole new level.
The base offered an explanation on Facebook.
“Personnel from Joint Base Charleston and Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort(MCAS Beaufort SC)are responding to a mishap involving an F-35B Lightning II jet from Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron (VMFAT) 501 with the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing,” the post stated, noting that the pilot ejected and was reported hospitalized in stable condition.
“Emergency response teams are still trying to locate the F-35. The public is asked to cooperate with military and civilian authorities as the effort continues,” the post stated.
The F-35 was in autopilot mode when the pilot bailed out, so it could have gone all kinds of places, Jeremy Huggins, a representative of Joint Base Charleston, said, according to NBC.
He said the search is focusing on the area around Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion, which is north of the base, based on the last position reported by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The military did not explain why the pilot ejected.
The United States Air Force (@usairforce) initiates a search for its most expensive fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, the F-35B, which mysteriously went missing over #SouthCarolina on Sunday. #F35 #F35B https://t.co/GpoTjo3W2U
— CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18News) September 18, 2023
Some folks might get a little upset at the thought that the military cannot find an aircraft that, according to Air and Space Forces, costs between $78.3 and $80.9 million per plane. Manufacturer Lockheed Martin calls the F-35 series the “Most Advanced Fighter Jet in the World.”
Republican Rep. Nancy Grace of South Carolina was among them.
“How in the hell do you lose an F-35?” she posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
Now that I got that out of the way. How in the hell do you lose an F-35?
How is there not a tracking device and we’re asking the public to what, find a jet and turn it in?
— Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) September 18, 2023
“How is there not a tracking device and we’re asking the public to what, find a jet and turn it in?” Mace wrote.
The jet’s transponder, which usually allows the military to find its own aircraft was not working “for some reason that we haven’t yet determined,” Huggins told The Washington Post.
“The aircraft is stealth, so it has different coatings and different designs that make it more difficult than a normal aircraft to detect,” Huggins said.
The post US Military Scrambling to Locate Missing ‘Advanced’ F-35 Fighter Jet After ‘Mishap’ appeared first on The Western Journal.
How do the stealth capabilities of the F-35 contribute to its value as a military asset?
Force-technology.com/f35-multifunction-display”>Air Force Technology, has a range of over 1,200 nautical miles and advanced sensor capabilities. But as Huggins explained, ”It’s like looking for a needle in a haystack.”
This incident is a reminder of the complex nature of military operations and the challenges faced in maintaining and operating advanced aircraft. The F-35, being a fifth-generation stealth fighter, is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and is designed to operate in highly contested environments. Its stealth capabilities allow it to evade enemy radar detection, making it a valuable asset in modern warfare.
However, this incident also highlights the need for continuous improvement in aircraft safety and maintenance procedures. While the exact cause of the mishap is still under investigation, it serves as a reminder that even the most advanced technology can experience unforeseen issues.
The search for the missing F-35 is ongoing, and the military is utilizing all available resources to locate and recover the aircraft. The cooperation of the public is crucial in this endeavor, as any information about the aircraft’s whereabouts can greatly aid in the search efforts.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, some on social media couldn’t help but make light of the situation. Memes and jokes about the missing F-35 circulated online, showcasing the creativity and humor of internet users. While these jokes may provide temporary entertainment, it is important to remember the potential gravity of the situation and the efforts being made to locate the missing aircraft.
In conclusion, the missing F-35 serves as a reminder of the challenges faced in military operations and the need for continuous improvement in aircraft safety. The search for the aircraft continues, and the cooperation of the public is vital in assisting the military in locating and recovering the aircraft. Let us hope for a successful resolution to this incident, and for the safe return of the missing F-35.
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