U.S. military F22 jet missing over Alaska

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010 By

F-22 Raptor

An F-22 Raptor has gone missing and is believed to be crashed in Alaska. Image: Wikimedia Commons

UPDATE: The crash site of the F-22 has been found 100 miles north of Anchorage.

A search has been started for an “overdue” U.S. Airforce F-22 fighter jet. A single pilot was in the F22 on a “training mission” when it lost contact with air traffic control. The stealth fighter did not transmit any mayday before losing contact.

Missing F-22 fighter jet

At approximately 7:40 p.m. Alaska time on Tuesday evening, an F-22 Raptor jet lost contact with air traffic control. The single pilot is a member of the Elmendorf’s 3rd Wing, stationed in Alaska. Search and rescue teams have been dispatched to areas around the last known location of the F-22 Raptor. C-130 aircraft and military helicopters are also being used to search for the plane. As of right now, nothing has been heard from the pilot of the F-22 Raptor or the plane itself.

Weather not likely a factor

While the missing F-22 Raptor was on a training mission above the Alaska wilderness, weather was not likely a factor. The National Weather Service has reported that when the F-22 lost contact with air traffic control, weather was “fair.” The pilot did not transmit any indication that anything had gone wrong. Instead, the F-22 simply disappeared off the radar.

F-22 Raptor production has been ended

As of October 2009, the U.S. Government has removed all military funding for further production of the F-22 Raptor plane. The plane is a stealth fighter that can also be used for ground attack and intelligence. However, the F-35, which is a more versatile and less expensive aircraft, has been steadily replacing the F-22 Raptor. At about $150 million per plane, the F-22 also represents a significant investment. There is a ban on U.S. exports of the F-22 Raptor plane, so other countries do not currently have the F-22 or a plane similar to it. Searches for the missing Alaska F-22, which the Pentagon confirmed is “believed to be crashed” will continue.

Sources

CNN.com
Wikipedia
MSNBC

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  • Read

    The Russians have a fighter with thrust-vectoring nozzles that can do flips and fly circles around the F-22.

  • otr

    We better find that plane before some mother put there hands on our technology. One thing after another and what the heck is going on with ya’ll..find that plane.

  • Ray Roberts USAF

    The F-22 Raptor is a beautiful and most updated airplane in our history. I pray that this pilot may be found and a cause for the loss be determined. Due to locations, and so many things that could cause this loss and in the Alaskan wilderness we may never know. I flew the latest USAF fighters for years in the past and every flight can be a hazard. I pray for this pilot and his family that we can find someting soon. The airplane can be replaced so lets pray that he can be picked up and returned home safe.