US authorities ask locals for help in finding missing F-35 jet — Authorities say they are searching for the $80m jet around two lakes in the state of South Carolina

www.aljazeera.com US authorities ask locals for help in finding missing F-35 jet

Authorities say they are searching for the $80m jet around two lakes in the state of South Carolina.

US authorities ask locals for help in finding missing F-35 jet — Authorities say they are searching for the $80m jet around two lakes in the state of South Carolina::Authorities say they are searching for the $80m jet around two lakes in the state of South Carolina.

35 comments

Better question is why, at $80m per plane, they cant find a way to track these assets even when they crash
- Because they spent $80 million dollars to make it untraceable so it wouldn't get shot down.
- If your plane crashes over unfriendly territory, you don't want to make it easier for them to get their hands on it.
- Better question is why is 1/3rd of my paycheck being stolen every week so we can build, and lose, fleets of $80 million planes
Kind of crazy as someone who's been around the block to see F-35 referred to as a "$80M aircraft".

Economies of scale DID actually kick in this time, unlike (gestures to every other stealth aircraft).
- Frankly, it helps that this one is being exported to pretty much the whole of NATO (and then some). Enough countries outside the USA are funneling money in that the R&D actually is worth it this time.
meanwhile, at the Legion of Doom
Oh shit.... I know where it is...

https://charleston.craigslist.org/avo/d/mount-pleasant-stealth-fighter/7667184419.html
- I laughed too hard at the ad, it's got all the right classic jokes and I still found it funny.
- Love it! Archived...
  
  https://tinyurl.com/missingf35
- there's like 6 different ads for it now https://charleston.craigslist.org/search/ava?purveyor=owner#search=1~gallery~0~0
If I find it, can I fly it back to base?
- I think finders keepers still applies here.
  
  Possession is 9/10ths of the law.
  
  It's a legitimate salvage.
- One would hope that flying an F-35 is beyond the capabilities of the average civilian.
  
  God bless the idiot-proof AirForce
  
  https://yourimageshare.com/ib/7GdKZTMFW9
- Concerning the pilot wasn't able to fly it back, I'll with you the best of luck with your endeavor.
Did...did they look in the lakes?
- I mean, that seems like the most likely place, but it's not like there's a nice crater or trail or anything. Especially if the jet glided to a splashdown it may not have even left any debris to help guide search efforts in the lakes.
What is this, a Zelda side quest? Lol. I'd love to help you find the princess but I'm just so broken up over this missing F-35. If you can help me find it, I think I'll be able to remember where I saw her last. There might also be 20 rupees in it for ya. Thanks!
A missing jet is nothing.

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/reboot/us-military-missing-six-nuclear-weapons-180032
You'd think they'd have GPS on these things. Lowjack at the very least.
- GPS is passively received.
  
  Slap an AirTag on it at least.
  
  I'd imagine they would have RTK with a CGA response on something worth $80M. I put that in a drone for $250. But idk if it would be able to respond underwater. You'd think they'd have a track up until it went under.
No way. I'm gonna put a gaming pc in that and go flex on the warthunder reddit.
China: So, is this invitation open to anyone, or...?
Always in the last place I look.

Have they considered putting an airtag in it?
How do you lose a F35 🤣
- I thought they were designed for that
Maybe it's a really expensive addition to someone's garage?

35 comments