Super-modern fighter jet retired after losing battle with an eagle
The South Korean air forces have written off their F-35A fighter jet, deciding against repairs after the plane sustained heavy damage from a bird collision. The F-35A is not only one of the most advanced but also one of the most expensive aircraft in the world.
6:49 AM EST, December 5, 2023
The costly incident occurred in January 2022, when the fighter jet took off from a military airport in Cheongju. At an altitude slightly above 984 feet, it encountered a large, approximately 22-pound eagle. This forced the pilot into a precarious "hard landing" situation where the landing gear failed to open. Miraculously, the pilot emerged unscathed. After a thorough analysis of the incident and an extensive evaluation of repair costs, the authorities finally decided to write off the aircraft, as reported by the South Korean news agency, Yonhap.
F-35A lost the fight with the eagle
The restoration expenses for the damaged F-35A were estimated to be around $107.6 million, surpassing the cost of purchasing a brand-new model.
A comprehensive investigation undertaken by Korean experts in collaboration with representatives from Lockheed Martin, the American corporation responsible for manufacturing the jet, revealed over 300 damaged components. Critical parts like the wing, engine, weapons bay, and electronic control and navigation systems were among the damaged elements.
Future plans for the damaged F-35A?
Korean authorities also took into consideration the lengthy repair process and bureaucratic necessities to return the aircraft to service. Currently, they are contemplating potential ways to utilize the retired machine. One idea involves transforming it into a pilot training station or a technical model for trainee technicians.
The F-35A is a single-seat multirole fighter jet, notable for its length of over 49 feet, wingspan of nearly 36 feet, and the reduced detectability feature during flight. It can achieve speeds of up to 1.8 Mach (over 1,242 mph) and operate at a maximum altitude of 49 feet. The F-35A model follows the Conventional Take-off and Landing (CTOL) procedure.
In light of this loss, South Korea now holds a fleet of 39 F-35A fighters. Despite this setback, Seoul is actively pursuing the acquisition of an additional 25 units.
