An advanced U.S. Navy F-35 fighter jet has crashed in California, USA. The pilot ejected in time. An investigation into the accident has been launched.
F-35 Fighter Jet Crash: The U.S. Navy suffered a major setback on Wednesday when one of its advanced F-35 fighter jets crashed in California. The incident occurred at approximately 6:30 PM on Wednesday when the F-35 aircraft crashed near Naval Air Station Lemoore. This airbase is located approximately 64 kilometers southwest of the city of Fresno.
How was the aircraft crash confirmed?
The U.S. Navy has confirmed the incident by issuing a press statement. The statement said that the pilot ejected from the aircraft in time and is completely safe. The cause of the plane crash is currently under investigation, and further details are awaited.
Which unit was this aircraft associated with?
According to information provided by the Navy, this F-35 fighter jet was operating under Strike Fighter Squadron VF-125. This unit is also known as the "Rough Raiders". The VF-125 unit primarily trains Navy pilots and aircrew. It is a Fleet Replacement Squadron, whose job is to train new pilots on modern fighter aircraft.
F-35: The world's most advanced fighter jet
The F-35 is considered the world's most advanced and 5th generation stealth fighter aircraft. This aircraft is not only capable of evading enemy radar in the air, but it also features state-of-the-art sensors, avionics, network-centric warfare capabilities, and multi-role operation facilities. It is manufactured by Lockheed Martin.
Why is the F-35 special?
The F-35 fighter jet comes in three variants:
- F-35A (for the Air Force)
- F-35B (for the Marines, which can perform vertical takeoff and landing)
- F-35C (for the Navy, which can be operated from aircraft carriers)
The aircraft that crashed in this accident is believed to be the Navy variant, the F-35C, which is designed by the Navy for aircraft carrier operations.
Cost and Importance of the F-35
The F-35 is also known as the world's most expensive fighter jet. The cost of one unit is approximately 80 million US dollars (approximately 665 crore rupees). In addition to the United States, many countries' air forces use this aircraft. India has not yet included this aircraft in its fleet, but strategic discussions about it take place from time to time.
Currently, there is no official information about whether the accident was caused by a technical malfunction, human error, or any other reason. A detailed investigation has been launched by the Navy.
