The US military has launched efforts to locate one of its F-35B fighter jets, which went missing on Sunday afternoon (17 September 2023) while the pilot was flying over the southern state of South Carolina.
Where is the missing US F-35B fighter jet?
The pilot safely ejected from the aircraft and is currently in stable condition in a hospital. The incident is described as a “mishap,” and the cause remains unclear.
The missing jet, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is estimated to cost around $80 million.
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Search and rescue operations are focused on two lakes north of Charleston, namely Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion, based on the jet’s last known location.
Federal aviation regulators are assisting in these efforts.
The F-35B Lightning II is a stealth jet designed to operate undetected by enemy radar. It is considered one of the world’s most advanced fighter jets, capable of entering and exiting warzones discreetly.
Joint Base Charleston has appealed to the public for assistance in locating the missing aircraft and urged cooperation with military and civilian authorities involved in the search.
Anyone with information that could aid in the recovery efforts has been encouraged to contact the operations centre.
The Marine Corps has stated that its knowledge of the incident is currently limited and is working to gather more information.
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A second F-35 jet, believed to be flying alongside the missing one, returned safely to the base in Charleston.
The F-35 program is the most extensive and most expensive weapons program of its kind globally.
In 2018, the entire fleet of F-35 fighter jets was temporarily grounded by the US military following a crash in South Carolina.