Stealth is one of the most important features of the state-of-the-art F-35 fighter aircraft. But that high ability to go unnoticed seems to be working against him after an incident that took place in the southeastern United States.

One of these US Navy fighter planes has been missing since Sunday afternoon after it suffered an “accident” during a flight in the state of South Carolina.

The pilot, whose name has not been released, managed to shoot himself out of the sky and descended with a parachute. He is hospitalized and in stable condition, according to a statement from Joint Base Charleston.

However, the plane continued to fly autonomous, informally known as “zombie state”until it finally fell to the ground, it is believed.

The problem is that the military authorities They don’t know where the remains are.

Joint Base Charleston posted a message on social media asking for the public’s help in locating it: “Emergency response teams are still attempting to locate the F-35,” the report said.

“The public is asked to cooperate with military and civilian authorities as efforts continue.”

Based on the last known location of the aircraft, searches are being conducted in Lakes Moultrie and Marion, near the base, in cooperation with aviation authorities and the US Air Force.

An advanced aircraft

The F-35B Lightning II is an advanced military fighter manufactured by Lockheed Martin. The structure, sensors and systems are designed to operate without being detected by enemy radar.

The US Navy first used it in combat in Afghanistan in 2018. It costs about $80 million, one of the most expensive in the world.

According to Lockheed Martin, the F-35 represents a qualitative leap in air dominance capability.

They point out that it is a fifth-generation fighter “that combines advanced stealth with combat speed and agility, sensor fusion and advanced durability.”

“Missions traditionally carried out by a small number of specialized aircraft – such as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, and electronic attack missions – can now be carried out by a squadron of F-35s, bringing new capabilities to many allied forces.” assign.

The F-35 costs about $80 million. GETTY IMAGES

The F-35 costs about $80 million.

The Marine Corps said this in a statement to the BBC His knowledge of the incident was “limited” at this time. and that he was still trying to gather more information.

He added that the accident was “under investigation” due to questions about why his transponder – the device that transmits a location signal – was not working.

A second F-35 believed to have been flying at the same time as the missing one returned safely to its base in Charleston, Maj. Melanie Salinas told the Associated Press.

In 2018, the US military temporarily grounded its entire fleet of F-35 fighter jets after an accident also occurred in South Carolina. (JO)