Another F35 has crashed & resulting fire

It seems another F35 has crashed. Unconfirmed reports are an F35 crashed near Fresno, California. The pilot ejected, was recovered and taken to a Fresno hospital by helicopter in unknown condition. The crash started a vegetation fire that is reportedly under control and both federal and local firefighters are doing a defensive firefighting attack on the aircraft itself.

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KunsanVeteran · M

The U.S. Navy has confirmed that an F35 crashed near Lemoore, California. The pilot ejected and was transported with minor injuries to a local hospital. Prayers for the pilots full recovery.

PicturesOfABetterTomorrow · 41-45, M

Not surprised. One of the first ones shipped to Japan burst into flames on the tarmac.

And it's now the most expensive jet basically ever.

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PicturesOfABetterTomorrow · 41-45, M

@KunsanVeteran whatever the cause the F35 has the worst readiness percentage of any US fighter.

And by that I mean the percentage that are combat ready at any given time.

KunsanVeteran · M

@PicturesOfABetterTomorrow I can neither confirm nor deny that, but I can say that my pilot friends do not like the F35. They invariably prefer the F16–which are pretty ancient. Although I believe we are still flying some U2 s!

PicturesOfABetterTomorrow · 41-45, M

@KunsanVeteran I don't have any special insights here. This is just what is public as per the Pentagon through outlets like Jane's and other such sources.

If this is the stuff they are willing to admit publicly I don't think I want to know what is classified.

Crazywaterspring · 61-69, M

The pilot needs to start documenting permanent damage to their back. They'll have a disability claim after being forced out by the Navy.

Zonuss · 46-50, M

Prayers.

PicturesOfABetterTomorrow · 41-45, M

Apparently about half the F35s in the USAF on paper are sitting at Lockheed awaiting software updates.

KunsanVeteran · M

@PicturesOfABetterTomorrow The future is drones, missiles, rail guns, and satellites.

PicturesOfABetterTomorrow · 41-45, M

@KunsanVeteran Drones and new missile tech is definitely interesting.

Rail guns at least for the US was a dead end.

Read about how the USN sold a decade of research to Japan because the Navy could not make it work.

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