135 million dollars gone into sea... a British F-35 stealth jet has crashed into the Mediterranean Sea on Wednesday (17 Nov 2021),
during what's being described as route flying operations from the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.
"A British F35 pilot from HMS Queen Elizabeth ejected during routine flying operations in the Mediterranean this morning." The pilot was described as in safe condition and is back on the ship after the major incident.
In The War Zone article dated 17 November 2021, it's said:
The loss of any jet fighter is a significant blow, but in the case of the United Kingdom, in particular, F-35B fleet numbers and costs have long been a point of fierce debate.
“To date, the United Kingdom has committed to buying 48 Lightnings by the end of 2025, at a cost of £10.5 billion.” [At current rate of GBP/USD = 1.35, the acquisition price of F-35B Lightning by Britain is over US$295 million per unit.]
Overall, this is the fifth crash of an F-35, of all versions. The crash totals prior to this latest incident were two U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs, which we reported on and , one , and one . This tally does not include ground incidents, including and on landing, for example.
during what's being described as route flying operations from the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.
"A British F35 pilot from HMS Queen Elizabeth ejected during routine flying operations in the Mediterranean this morning." The pilot was described as in safe condition and is back on the ship after the major incident.
In The War Zone article dated 17 November 2021, it's said:
The loss of any jet fighter is a significant blow, but in the case of the United Kingdom, in particular, F-35B fleet numbers and costs have long been a point of fierce debate.
“To date, the United Kingdom has committed to buying 48 Lightnings by the end of 2025, at a cost of £10.5 billion.” [At current rate of GBP/USD = 1.35, the acquisition price of F-35B Lightning by Britain is over US$295 million per unit.]
Overall, this is the fifth crash of an F-35, of all versions. The crash totals prior to this latest incident were two U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs, which we reported on and , one , and one . This tally does not include ground incidents, including and on landing, for example.
