US F-35 sends distress signal over Japan, then vanishes from radar

A US fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter jet transmitted an emergency signal while flying over Japan and soon afterwards disappeared from radar over the Pacific Ocean.

According to the Shot Telegram channel's source, the aircraft involved was an F-35A variant. During the flight, the jet transmitted code 7700, which is used to indicate an onboard emergency and requires an immediate response from air traffic controllers and emergency services.

Shortly after, the aircraft stopped appearing on radar systems. The exact cause of the incident has not yet been determined.

Information about a possible crash is supported by data from the Flightradar service, which registered the emergency signal. No official reports have been issued regarding the fate of the pilot or any wreckage.

The F-35A is one of the variants of the F-35 Lightning II fifth-generation multirole fighter. The model made its first flight in 2006 and entered service with the US Air Force in 2016. The aircraft is designed to engage both air and ground targets and is capable of carrying, among other armaments, B61-12 nuclear bombs.

By Tamilla Hasanova