Shortly after taking off from New Mexico's Albuquerque International Airport, a US Air Force F-35 Lightning-2 stealth fighter jet crashed. This is another setback for America's most expensive jet program, with each plane valued at more than 832 crores. The pilot ejected before the crash and is safe.
This year marks the second incident with this fighter jet within a span of a year. Previously, a similar jet vanished in South Carolina and was later found crashed behind a house, with wreckage discovered in Williamsburg County, nearly 96 KM from Joint Base Charleston.
These fighter jets are used in 10-12 countries worldwide. The US military has indicated that an investigation into the crash is underway, but no further information has been released. Last year, the US experienced a series of shocks due to several incidents. Prior to this, three mishaps occurred: an MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft crashed during training in Australia resulting in the deaths of three US Marines; a subsequent training flight crash in San Diego claimed a Marine Corps pilot's life; and then the previous South Carolina incident leading up to this latest crash in New Mexico. The defense sector in the US is facing continual setbacks.
Source: aajtak
Why is this fighter jet so crucial?
The missing US fighter jet, the F-35 Lightning 2, is a stealth multirole combat aircraft capable of flying in all weather conditions, designed for air superiority and strike missions. It can also accomplish electronic warfare, espionage, and surveillance reconnaissance missions.
It comes in three variants: the conventional take-off and landing (CTOL), known as F-35A; the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL), known as F-35B; and the carrier-based variant, the F-35C, all manufactured by Lockheed Martin in the US.
Source: aajtak
Speed and stealth strikes as its strength
The aircraft is operated by a single pilot with a length of 51.4 feet, a wingspan of 35 feet, and a height of 14.4 feet. Its maximum speed is an impressive 1976 KM/h with a combat range of 1239 KM and can ascend up to 50,000 feet. The jet is equipped with a 4-barrel 25mm rotary cannon capable of firing 180 rounds per minute.
The jet features four internal and six external hardpoints for a range of weapons including air-to-air, air-to-surface, and anti-ship missiles, along with four different types of bombs.
