The F-35 is a family of 5th-generation, single-seat, single-engine stealth multirole combat aircraft
- US Navy F-35 fighter jet crashed near Leemore Naval Air Station in California
- The pilot ejected safely and was airlifted to hospital
- Crash occurred around 6:30 pm local time and is under investigation
A US Navy F-35 fighter jet has crashed near the Leemore Naval Air Station, located around 40 miles (64 kilometres) southwest of the city of Fresno in central California, according to a Navy press statement. The pilot managed to successfully eject and has reportedly been airlifted to a hospital.
The incident that occurred around 6:30 pm (local time) is under investigation, the statement said.
"We are aware of the F-35 incident at Naval Air Station Lemoore. Safety is our priority, and we are standing by to support the United States Navy as needed. Further questions are best addressed by U.S. Navy or Naval Air Station Lemoore Public Affairs," Lockheed Martin said in a statement.
Visuals from the spot show thick plumes of smoke rising from the burning debris.
🚨#BREAKING: emergency officials are on the scene after a United States military f-35 jet has crash and burst into flames
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) July 31, 2025
📌#Fresno | #California
At this time military officials and emergency crews are currently on scene at Lemoore Naval Air Station in Fresno County,… pic.twitter.com/XCRg0BUv2y
Per the US Navy, the aircraft was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron VF-125, known as the "Rough Raiders." VF-125 is a Fleet Replacement Squadron, responsible for training pilots and aircrews.
What Is The F-35 Jet?
The F-35 is a family of 5th-generation, single-seat, single-engine stealth multirole combat aircraft designed to perform air superiority, strike, electronic warfare, and intelligence-gathering missions.
There are three primary variants:
F-35A, Conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL)
F-35B, Short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL)
F-35C, Carrier-based operations
Made by America's defence contractor Lockheed Martin, F-35s are the world's only advanced, long-range stealth fighter jets. They are designed for various missions, including air superiority, strike, electronic warfare, and intelligence gathering.
The maker of F-35 fighter jets has not released any statement on the crash yet.
