Vidostream | News, sport and opinion from the Vidostream's US Edition

https://vidostream.com

Race to salvage US F-35C fighter jet that crashed in hostile South China Sea

Fears that subs from China, which claims the area, could be first to reach wreckage that plunged from deck of aircraft carrier
An F-35C stealth jet on deck of the USS Carl Vinson in the western Pacific, south of Japan, in November. Photograph: Tim Kelly/Reuters

An F-35C stealth jet on deck of the USS Carl Vinson in the western Pacific, south of Japan, in November. Photograph: Tim Kelly/Reuters

The US navy is racing to salvage an F-35C fighter jet from the bottom of the South China Sea after it crashed on an aircraft carrier and plunged overboard – taking with it highly classified technology that would be a coup if China retrieved it first.

The F-35C crashed-landed on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson during routine operations on Monday, the navy said, injuring six sailors and the pilot, who ejected from the plane before it fell into the sea.

The most advanced US fighter, a stealth plane costing over $100m, is packed with highly classified technology and if found would represent an intelligence boon for China, which claims almost all of the South China Sea as its own territory. The Vinson was on a patrol intended to challenge that territorial claim and defend international freedom of navigation.

The F-35C is a version of the plane specially designed to operate from aircraft carriers. Maritime experts have said it could take a US salvage ship more than 10 days to reach the site of the crash, potentially giving Chinese submarines the opportunity to find it first.

You need to register to keep reading

It’s still free to read - this is not a paywall

We’re committed to keeping our quality reporting open. By registering and providing us with insight into your preferences, you’re helping us to engage with you more deeply, and that allows us to keep our journalism free for all. You’ll always be able to control your own.
 
Register for free

Author: Editors Desk

Source: The Guardian

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. By continuing to browse, you are agreeing to our Cookie Policy.
You did not use the site, Click here to remain logged. Timeout: 60 second