US Air Force's F-35B Stealth Fighter Goes Missing Over South Carolina, Search Operations On

United States Air Force's (USAF) costliest fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, the F-35B, has gone missing following an incident that led the pilot to eject over South Carolina. Concerns arise as the aircraft may have eluded radar detection, raising questions about whether the jet's stealth capabilities hinder the search efforts.

The pilot, who safely ejected around 2 pm on September 17 local time, received medical attention at a local hospital. However, the aircraft, valued at a staggering USD 80 million, remained unaccounted for by evening. This fighter jet was assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, prompting Joint Base Charleston to seek public assistance in locating it.

US military officials have reached out to the public for help in locating the missing multimillion-dollar plane. "If you have any information that may help our recovery teams locate the F-35, please call the Base Defense Operations Center," a post from the base read on X, formerly known as Twitter.

We’re working with @MCASBeaufortSC to locate an F-35 that was involved in a mishap this afternoon. The pilot ejected safely. If you have any information that may help our recovery teams locate the F-35, please call the Base Defense Operations Center at 843-963-3600.

— Joint Base Charleston (@TeamCharleston) September 17, 2023

 

According to military officials, a Marine Corps pilot ejected safely from the F-35 Lightning II jet over North Charleston on Sunday afternoon following a mishap.

Joint Base Charleston, located near the coastline, has reached out to local residents for assistance in locating the missing aircraft. Given the proximity to the ocean, there remains a possibility that the fighter jet could have ended up in the water. This incident evokes memories of a past occurrence when a MiG-23 traveled over 900 kilometers through Europe after its pilot ejected, eventually crashing in Belgium.

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Responding to the news, local congresswoman Nancy Mace wrote on X, stating, "Now that I got that out of the way. How in the hell do you lose an F-35? How is there not a tracking device, and we're asking the public to what, find a jet and turn it in?"

Now that I got that out of the way. How in the hell do you lose an F-35?

How is there not a tracking device and we’re asking the public to what, find a jet and turn it in?

— Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) September 18, 2023

 

The F-35 aircraft, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, comes with a price tag of approximately USD 80 million each, according to an AFP report.

The F-35's Stealth Attributes:

The F-35 Lightning II is renowned for being one of the stealthiest fighter jets in existence. Its ability to operate within enemy airspace with relative impunity is heavily reliant on its stealth capabilities.

Contrary to common belief, stealth does not confer total invisibility. Instead, it complicates the enemy's ability to detect, track, and target an aircraft through a combination of design, tactics, and technology.

With dimensions measuring 51 feet in length and 35 feet in width, the F-35 is not a small aircraft. However, its design is aimed at deflecting radar energy away from its source.

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As air defense and radar technologies continue to advance, the F-35 relies on every facet of its stealth to navigate contested airspace. The US Air Force employs specialised low-observable paint on its fifth-generation fighter jet, making it difficult for adversaries to detect, track, or target the aircraft using radar or missiles.

The F-35 boasts a reduced radar cross-section, enabling its pilots to gain the upper hand in detecting and responding to other aircraft.