US Marines lost super fighter jet worth more than 120 million USD
The cost of repairing the F-35B that caught fire in late 2016 was too high, forcing the US Marine Corps to retire the fighter jet for nearly $123 million.
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An F-35B tested off the coast of the US last year. Photo:USMC |
The US Marine Corps (USMC) yesterday decided to retire an F-35B stealth fighter after nearly two years at Beaufort base. This is the aircraft that caught fire during a test flight on October 27, 2016.Marine Corps Timesreport
"The USMC's cost-benefit analysis concluded that the cost of repairing this aircraft was too high and would not be a cost-effective investment," said USMC spokesman Christopher Harrison. The decision marks the first loss of an F-35B in USMC service. However, the force can still use the aircraft as a teaching tool, for parts to maintain other fighters, or put it in a museum.
An investigation in late 2016 found that the hinge on the aircraft’s weapons bay door had failed, exposing a wire near the hydraulic system. The resulting short circuit caused the hydraulic oil to ignite, causing a fire while the F-35B was still airborne. The pilot promptly detected the problem and landed safely.
The F-35B is the version developed for the USMC, notable for its short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) capability. However, the STOVL system makes the F-35B less capable of range and maneuverability than the F-35A for the Air Force and the F-35C for the Navy.
The USMC plans to buy a total of 353 F-35B and 67 F-35C carrier-based fighters, each costing up to $123 million. This is a key step in the plan to replace older tactical fighters such as the F/A-18C/D Hornets, EA-6B Prowlers and AV-8B Harriers with the F-35 stealth aircraft by 2032.
