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US Marine Corps F-35B fighter jet crashes in California
๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ท Croatia /Conflict & Security

US Marine Corps F-35B fighter jet crashes in California

From Veฤernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II fighter jet crashed near Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California.
  • The pilot ejected and was found after the crash; the cause is currently unknown.
  • The F-35B is a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet valued at approximately $102 million and is used by the U.S., UK, and Italy.

A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II fighter jet crashed in California on Friday, near the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Thick smoke billowed from the crash site, visible for miles, as fire crews responded to extinguish the wreckage and a spreading grass fire.

The pilot successfully ejected and was located following the incident. The Pentagon confirmed the aircraft was an F-35B, a variant of the fifth-generation stealth fighter known for its advanced sensors and data-sharing capabilities. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

The F-35B, valued at around $102 million, is designed for short takeoffs and vertical landings, making it suitable for operations from shorter runways and ships. It is operated by the U.S. Marines, as well as the armed forces of the United Kingdom and Italy. The aircraft boasts a combat radius of over 833 kilometers and can carry up to 6,800 kilograms of weaponry.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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