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Crash Debris From Missing F35 Stealth Fighter Jet Found
The F35 Lightning II is touted by many as the stealthiest fighter jet in the skies today and that is quite good for the pilots when flying in enemy territory.
However, the jet's stealth seemed to be working a bit too well after a pilot ejected out of an F35B to safety over the skies of South Carolina on Sunday following a mishap. While the pilot parachuted to safety, his stealthy ride was nowhere to be found.
The US Marine Corps which operated the F35B announced in a statement that debris from the missing stealth jet had been located "two hours north-east of Joint Base Charleston".
On Sunday, the Marine Corps had taken to X, formerly Twitter, to ask the public's help in locating the missing jet that according to some estimates costs around $100 million per jet.
A US Marine Corps spokesperson had stated that the jet was in autopilot mode when the pilot had safely ejected over South Carolina. The jet's transponder which helps locate the aircraft, was not working at the time of the crash. However, details about the 'mishap' that caused the pilot to eject were not revealed.
The F35 is described by its manufacturer Aerospace giant Lockheed Martin as the most lethal, survivable and connected fighter jet in the world. The F35 was developed from the Lockheed Martin X35 and is offered in three guises - A, B & C.
The F35A is the conventional takeoff and landing variant and is the most commonly seen version of the fighter jet. This F35A has a wingspan of 35 feet (10.66 metres) and is the lightest and smallest of the three variants. It is the most manoeuvrable of the three variants in the air capable of pulling 9g.
The F35B, like the one that crashed, is a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL). It is similar in size to the F35A but carries just a third of the fuel. This is done to accommodate the shaft-driven lift fan and the 90-degree rotating engine that helps it take off and land vertically. The F35B is limited to 7g.
The F35C is the aircraft carrier version of the F35 Lightning II. The largest of the three F35 variants, the F35C sports a 43ft (13.1 metres) wingspan. The larger wings which help increase range and payload capabilities also feature foldable wingtip sections.
The F35C also features stronger landing gear to deal with the stresses of carrier-arrested landing. The F35C is limited to 7.5g.
There is also a version dubbed the F35 Adir or F35I, which is deployed by Israel. This version of the F35 incorporates Israel's own electronic warfare systems and a plug-and-play setup on the main computer for add-on systems.
Thoughts On The F35
The Lockheed Martin F35 is perhaps the stealthiest military jet in the world, a point that it proved when it went missing over the skies of South Carolina in the United States. However, the way it went missing is troubling especially if we think of an F35 gone rogue.
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