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

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/18/us-authorities-ask-locals-for-help-in-finding-missing-f-35-jet

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.

175 points · 35 comments · view on lemmy.world

35 Comments

galil3o@lemmy.world · 30 pts · 2y (6 replies)

Better question is why, at $80m per plane, they cant find a way to track these assets even when they crash

extant@lemmy.world · 53 pts · 2y

Because they spent $80 million dollars to make it untraceable so it wouldn't get shot down.

billiam0202@lemmy.world · 28 pts · 2y (1 reply)

If your plane crashes over unfriendly territory, you don't want to make it easier for them to get their hands on it.

Puzzle_Sluts_4Ever@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 2y
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thecrotch@sh.itjust.works · 3 pts · 2y

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

Ace0fBlades@lemmy.world · -5 pts · 2y (1 reply)
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jsh@sh.itjust.works · 10 pts · 2y

Or just really good marketing. (for LMT)

eestileib@sh.itjust.works · 30 pts · 2y (1 reply)

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).

ZapBeebz_@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 2y

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.

greaterthanstupid@dmv.social · 28 pts · 2y (1 reply)

meanwhile, at the Legion of Doom

gregorum@lemm.ee · 8 pts · 2y
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agent_flounder@lemmy.one · 27 pts · 2y (3 replies)
Etienne_Dahu@jlai.lu · 11 pts · 2y

I laughed too hard at the ad, it's got all the right classic jokes and I still found it funny.

over_clox@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 2y

Love it! Archived...

https://tinyurl.com/missingf35

eee@lemm.ee · 3 pts · 2y
Sylver@lemmy.world · 20 pts · 2y (6 replies)

If I find it, can I fly it back to base?

Sharpiemarker@feddit.de · 14 pts · 2y (2 replies)

I think finders keepers still applies here.

greybeard@lemmy.one · 4 pts · 2y

It's a legitimate salvage.

Capricorny90210@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 2y

Possession is 9/10ths of the law.

gregorum@lemm.ee · 6 pts · 2y (1 reply)

One would hope that flying an F-35 is beyond the capabilities of the average civilian.

ScrollerBall@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 2y

God bless the idiot-proof AirForce

https://yourimageshare.com/ib/7GdKZTMFW9

MinorLaceration@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 2y

Concerning the pilot wasn't able to fly it back, I'll with you the best of luck with your endeavor.

northendtrooper@lemmy.ca · 20 pts · 2y (1 reply)

Did...did they look in the lakes?

andrew@lemmy.stuart.fun · 12 pts · 2y

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.

theragu40@lemmy.world · 19 pts · 2y

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!

FlyingSquid@lemmy.world · 17 pts · 2y
just_another_person@lemmy.world · 16 pts · 2y (5 replies)

You'd think they'd have GPS on these things. Lowjack at the very least.

maniacal_gaff@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 2y (4 replies)

GPS is passively received.

BradleyUffner@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 2y

Slap an AirTag on it at least.

ikidd@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y (2 replies)

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.

Dashi@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 2y

I'm not an engineer, or have any real qualifications on the subject. But I'm guessing you would want to cut all transmissions you can from a stealth jet.

maniacal_gaff@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 2y

RTK requires a separate receiver which is located nearby and has a comms link (unlikely for a fast moving attack aircraft) and only reduces the accuracy from meters to cm. Not sure there's much need there.

billiam0202@lemmy.world · 14 pts · 2y

China: So, is this invitation open to anyone, or...?

Blackdoomax@sh.itjust.works · 14 pts · 2y

No way. I'm gonna put a gaming pc in that and go flex on the warthunder reddit.

InvertedParallax@lemm.ee · 13 pts · 2y

Always in the last place I look.

Have they considered putting an airtag in it?

Ab_intra@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 2y (2 replies)

How do you lose a F35 🤣

gregorum@lemm.ee · 7 pts · 2y
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HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 2y

I thought they were designed for that

LurkNoMore@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 2y

Maybe it's a really expensive addition to someone's garage?