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DRAMATIC footage has captured the moment a F-35 fighter plane spiraled out of control before it crashed and exploded into a fireball.
Video showed the $81 million aircraft rotating as it hurtled toward the ground in Alaska.
The F-35 Lightning II jet, which can reach speeds of 1,200 mph, crashed at the Eielson Air Force Base during a training mission on Tuesday.
The pilot ejected after suffering an in-flight malfunction, officials said.
Footage shared on social media showed the plane heading toward the ground.
Thrusts from plane engines could also be heard in the clip.
The jet had lost control and was rotating and spinning rapidly, careening toward the runway.
As the plane smashed onto a runway, it burst into flames, producing a huge fireball.
The explosion could be seen behind one of the engines of another fighter jet.
Orange flames could be seen within the mushroom-shaped plumes of smoke.
Meanwhile, the pilot could be seen parachuting away from the plane.
Paul Townsend, the commander of the 354th Fighter Wing at the US Air Force, said the pilot is safe.
He was rushed to a local hospital for checks.
“Our people are our most important resource, and we are committed in ensuring their safety and security,” he told reporters.
US Air Force chiefs have launched an investigation.
The F-35, produced by Lockheed Martin, is a leading stealth fighter jet.
F-35 Lightning II fact file
THE F-35 fighter plane is an integral part of the United States’ security strategy. The stealth fighters are admired across the world because of their ability to carry different types of weapons and advanced electronic warfare capabilities.
- Speed: Around 1,200mph
- Thrust: 43,000 pounds
- Height: 14 feet
- Length: 51 feet
- Wingspan: 35 feet
- Engines: One single turbofan engine
- Maximum takeoff weight: 70,000 pounds
- Range: 1,200 nautical miles
- Features: Advanced radar jamming systems, an advanced helmet that can process mission information, and highly advanced sensor suite.
Source: Eielson Air Force Base.
On top of reaching top speeds of Mach 1.6, the planes can carry both Joint Air-to-Surface stand-off missiles and long-range anti ship missiles.
Electronic warfare systems installed on the jets can track enemy movements, jam radars, and mitigate attacks.
In 2017, president Donald Trump described the F-35 as an “invisible” plane.
“You literally can’t see it,” he gushed.
“It’s hard to fight a plane you can’t see.”
While Trump has highlighted the benefits of the jet, his new best pal Elon Musk has voiced criticisms on X.
F-35 DEBATE
Musk described the F-35’s design as s**t.
And he agreed with commentators who say drones are the next level of warfare.
Musk shared a video that showed a formation of small drones and said: “Meanwhile, some idiots are still building manned fighter jets like the F-35.”
The Tesla tycoon has cozied up with Trump in recent months and is spearheading the Department of Government Efficiency.
The advisory body is aiming to make around $2 trillion of savings.
But the cost of an F-35 jet has proved to be a contentious issue within the Pentagon and on Capitol Hill.
In 2021, the price of a fighter jet was approximately $135.8 million.
Now, the cost has been cut to around $81 million.
But, defense chiefs have to ensure the F-35 remains capable of responding to the evolving security challenges in the world.
Upgrades are being made to the F-35 engine, radar and weapons and this package costs around $16.5 billion.
