Nearly 70 US F-35s were submerged in a sandstorm.

At the time of the devastating sandstorm, Luke Air Force Base in Arizona had approximately 77 F-16s and 68 F-35 fifth-generation fighter jets.

Reportedly, this base currently serves as a training center for F-35 Lightning II pilots and maintenance personnel from Australia, Norway, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, and Israel.

The extent of damage to numerous fighter jets in the area, particularly the F-35s – a state-of-the-art fighter with stealth materials that are very vulnerable to sandstorms and harsh environments – is currently unclear, according to DefenseTalk.

The source also revealed that, despite being criticized by the media for a long time, the American manufacturer continues to pour destructive power into each shot of the F-35 by equipping the fighter jet with tungsten-based ammunition.

This program was implemented after the Pentagon awarded the German manufacturer Rheinmetall its first contract to produce and supply 25mm fragmentation armor-piercing rounds specifically for the F-35 stealth fighter jet.

The F-35 fighter jet will be equipped with 25x137mm ammunition (US Air Force designation PGU-48/B), specifically designed for armor-piercing and high-lethal attacks.

The unique feature of this type of ammunition is that it is manufactured with a super-hard tungsten core designed to provide good armor penetration, but upon penetrating the target, this core will shatter, increasing the potential for fragmentation damage.

With its tungsten core, this 25mm round fully meets the requirements for destroying any air and ground target, including armored targets within its range. This round becomes even more dangerous when fired from a 25mm Gatling gun like the GAU-22/A.

According to initial information released, the GAU-22/A has a firing rate of up to 3,000 rounds per minute, with projectiles leaving the barrel at a velocity of over 1 km/s. The GAU-22/A is concealed inside the aircraft, ensuring the F-35 maintains its stealth capabilities until it is activated.

Rheinmetall, the manufacturer, will supply the US Air Force with tens of thousands of rounds of new technology ammunition worth approximately $6.5 million. The contract will be implemented in four phases.

According to the plan, the first batch of ammunition will arrive in the US Air Force after December, following the signing of the official contract.

Some images of a sandstorm sweeping through a US base.