I’m surprised that a crashing F-35 wouldn’t generate enough fire and smoke to be easily detected.
Maybe not? This article references some examples of planes landing intact: https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/f-35-cant-be-found-aft...
F-35 can’t be found after pilot ejected
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Re: F-35 can’t be found after pilot ejected
#52Earlier quoted context omitted.
It was inop at the time: "The jet’s transponder, which usually helps locate the aircraft, was not working “for some reason that we haven’t yet determined,” said Jeremy Huggins, a spokesman at Joint Base Charleston. “So that’s why we put out the public request for help.”
Oh, someone sure is going to have to answer some tough questions. If not in purely military airspace, or combat operations, military aircraft have to be airworthy according to civil standards. That being said, no casualties, loosing a stealth fighter is somewhat funny.
If it was a two-ship, could have been only the lead had their transponder on. Keeps the ATC traffic alert systems a little happier.
Re: F-35 can’t be found after pilot ejected
#53I’m surprised that a crashing F-35 wouldn’t generate enough fire and smoke to be easily detected.
It could fly until it finds ocean, runs out of fuel and then darts in.
My god think of the bill.
Re: F-35 can’t be found after pilot ejected
#54Well they still missing an atom bomb from 1958 dropped by a B47 bomber near Tybee island Georgia.
Re: F-35 can’t be found after pilot ejected
#55Have they said whether the transponder was active on the jet? They usually have the ADSB beacon live when flying near airports, but if it was turned off it would be a bit trickier to find. Also, if the retroreflector wasn't extended it might be hard for active radar to track it as well. Worst case scenario would be if it was in "full stealth" mode -- that would be the situation where we discover that NORAD air defens…
They should be able to track gross location on radar. The stealth capabilities are mostly focused on thwarting precise location and missile guidance radars.
The issue here is finding the precise crash site. General location should be known. Trying to find it under the tree canopy could be more challenging depending on how rural it is.
Re: F-35 can’t be found after pilot ejected
#56This sounds too ridiculous to be true.
I'd be more inclined to believe that it's a gambit to flush out an intelligence leak rather than an inability to find their own $160M plane.
Re: F-35 can’t be found after pilot ejected
#57I’m surprised that a crashing F-35 wouldn’t generate enough fire and smoke to be easily detected.
If it flew until it ran out of fuel and then crashed the amount of fire and smoke would be significantly reduced.
Re: F-35 can’t be found after pilot ejected
#58Re: F-35 can’t be found after pilot ejected
#59Why shouldn't "finders keepers" apply here? If their jet crashed, unoccupied, on my land, why ain't it mine now?
At least do the "prize value" salvage reward they do for ships.
Re: F-35 can’t be found after pilot ejected
#60This sounds too ridiculous to be true. I'd be more inclined to believe that it's a gambit to flush out an intelligence leak rather than an inability to find their own $160M plane.
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