this post was submitted on 18 Sep 2023
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A pilot flying an F35 stealth fighter jet put the plane on auto-pilot and then ejected. The U.S. military is still looking for it:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/have-you-seen-a-missing-stealth-fighter-jet-us-asks-public-for-help-after-mishap/ar-AA1gSlUI

https://nationalpost.com/news/world/us-military-help-finding-fighter-jet

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[–] m_r_butts@kbin.social 32 points 1 year ago (1 children)

How is there not a tracking device and we’re asking the public to what, find a jet and turn it in?

Maybe because the whole point of a stealth bomber is that it's hard to find? It's a war machine, not your keyring. You don't put an Apple Airtag on it.

[–] FlexibleToast@lemmy.world 14 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Except two things... The F35 is not a bomber and they do put all kinds of trackers on it so that it doesn't end up being the wrong people that find it first. It was definitely at least broadcasting its ADSB in FAA controlled airspace on a training mission. It wasn't flying over Afghanistan or something.

[–] peopleproblems@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm actually more surprised that they lost control of it. I'd sort of expect it to have drone capability by now.

[–] FlexibleToast@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

I'm certain that's what will define 6th generation fighters. NGAD is supposed to be pilot optional.

[–] Techmaster@lemm.ee 2 points 1 year ago

I doubt it would need to go into stealth mode over Afghanistan either.