US Looking for F35 in SC

[Padreruf]

Amazing...why would they not have a geolocator on this 80 million dollar jet?

Missing F-35: US military asks for public's help to find jet

Officials are unable to locate the F-35 jet after its pilot safely ejected over South Carolina.

www.bbc.com

 

[OakMtn4Bama]

That may be the craziest thing I have heard lately. Glad the pilot is ok. Even though it is a stealth plane, surely they could turn on some sort of tracking beacon if needed.

 

[Bazza]

That may be the craziest thing I have heard lately. Glad the pilot is ok. Even though it is a stealth plane, surely they could turn on some sort of tracking beacon if needed.

Evidently auto pilot was still engaged when the pilot ejected and transponder is offline.

 

[Bazza]

 

[Bazza]

Turned up on Craigslist!

Pre-owned F35
Minor surface bumps and scrapes.
Low mileage.
No low-ballers. I know what I’ve got.

lockheed martin f-35 lightning ii - aviation - by owner - airplane aviation parts - craigslist

Pre-owned F35 Minor surface bumps and scrapes. Low mileage. No low-ballers. I know what I’ve got.

charleston.craigslist.org

 

[crimsonaudio]

The bad news: we're missing a stealth fighter

The good news: our stealth technology is apparently really good

😆

 

[Bodhisattva]

I briefly worked on the F-35 program on the Air Force side before moving to Florida. Ridiculously expensive. I believe that's around a dozen that have crashed.

 

[Bazza]

Officials find debris from F-35 fighter jet that crashed in South Carolina after pilot ejected

The crash site for a stealth fighter jet that went missing during the weekend after its pilot ejected has been located in rural South Carolina after the military asked the public for help finding an aircraft built to elude detection.

apnews.com

The debris field was discovered in Williamsburg County, about two hours northeast of Joint Base Charleston. Residents were being asked to avoid the area while a recovery team worked to secure it.

 

[OakMtn4Bama]

I bet they will be scouring the countryside for weeks trying to find every single nut and bolt.

 

[OakMtn4Bama]

Interesting A.P. article on what might have happened.


https://www.al.com/news/2023/09/wha...f-35b-lightning-joint-strike-fighter-jet.html

 

[jthomas666]

I briefly worked on the F-35 program on the Air Force side before moving to Florida. Ridiculously expensive. I believe that's around a dozen that have crashed.

Our military really doesn't have a good record with multi-use aircraft.

On the other hand, when we set out to design a plane for ONE JOB, we get certified masterpieces like the F-14 Tomcat and the A-10.