US most advanced fighter jet valued at Ksh11 billion (USD80 Million) disappeared on Sunday, September 17.
According to the US Military, the jet disappeared when it was flying over the southern state of South Carolina.
The military pilot who was not immediately identified by US Military, disembarked from the jet using a parachute and was taken by other officers, and rushed to hospital.
Preliminary reports allege that the jet was involved in a mishap compelling the pilot to eject for his own safety.
Following the disappearance of the jet, the US Military pleaded with the public to help in tracing it.
They stated that they were focusing their search around two lakes north of the city of Charleston.
Based on the jet’s last known location the searches of Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion are being carried out with federal aviation regulators.
Joint Base Charleston posted its appeal for help on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Emergency response teams are still trying to locate the F-35,” it stated.
“The public is asked to cooperate with military and civilian authorities as the effort continues,” it added.
The F-35 is one of the world’s most advanced fighter jets.
It is made by Lockheed Martin and is thought to cost around Ksh11 billion (USD80 Million).
In 2018, the US military temporarily grounded its entire fleet of F-35 fighter jets after a crash in South Carolina.
