In a dramatic development that highlights ongoing issues regarding the dependability of sophisticated military systems, the US Air Force F-35A Lightning II recently vanished over the Pacific Ocean after transmitting a “7700” distress signal—an internationally recognized code signaling a severe in-flight emergency necessitating immediate assistance. The aircraft was flying through Japanese airspace when the distress signal was transmitted; shortly thereafter, it disappeared from radar screens. Currently, the status of the pilot remains uncertain, and the precise cause of the incident has not been officially verified by the Pentagon. Search and rescue teams are thoroughly examining the ocean in an effort to locate debris and ascertain the cause of the disappearance.
This incident has rekindled discussions among defense analysts and commentators worldwide, with particular focus on whether the F-35’s substantial dependence on software, sensors, and integrated digital systems renders it susceptible to malfunctions even during standard operations. Critics argue that these advanced technological dependencies, although vital to the aircraft’s stealth and combat effectiveness, also introduce potential vulnerabilities that could lead to significant repercussions in both peacetime and wartime scenarios.
F-35: The Pinnacle of Modern Military Aviation—and Its Scrutiny
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II was designed to be the most sophisticated multirole fighter in modern history. Commissioned into service by the United States in 2016, the Air Force developed the aircraft to execute a broad spectrum of combat missions—from air superiority to precision ground attacks—integrating stealth capabilities, sensor fusion, and networked battlefield awareness that no prior fighter aircraft had achieved. It has emerged as the fundamental pillar of U.S. and allied airpower, operated by nearly 20 nations across multiple continents.
Yet, this technological marvel—the most costly weapons program in U.S. history—has also experienced a complex operational history. Despite its sophisticated capabilities, the jet’s adoption of state-of-the-art electronics and software is always seen as a potential vulnerability by both Western defense analysts and critics within Russian media outlets, who leverage such incidents to challenge U.S. military technological dominance.
Historical Record of F-35 Incidents
An analysis of publicly accessible records—including official investigations, news articles, and compiled incident reports—identifies a succession of accidents and incidents since the F-35’s deployment into operational service:
Early Incidents and Accidents (2018–2021)
The earliest documented accident of the F-35 took place in September 2018, involving an F-35B operated by the United States. The Marine Corps aircraft experienced a crash near Beaufort, South Carolina. The pilot ejected successfully; however, the incident represented the first significant loss for the then-new stealth fighter.
Subsequently, in April 2019, a Japanese Air Self-Defense Force F-35A aircraft plummeted into the Pacific Ocean during a training exercise. The incident garnered international attention due to its involvement of a partner nation and underscored that even highly sophisticated aircraft remain susceptible to unforeseen operational malfunctions.
In November 2021, a British Royal Navy F-35B was lost in the Mediterranean Sea when it went overboard during its attempted takeoff from the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth. The pilot was retrieved unharmed.
Several of these earliest incidents were ascribed to a combination of pilot error, flight control system anomalies, or external influences affecting the aircraft’s intricate systems.
2022–2023: Ongoing Crashes and Emerging Patterns
In October 2022, an F-35A aircraft collided at Hill Air Force Base in Utah. Further investigations subsequently determined that tumultuous conditions had led to the aircraft’s flight control sensors recording erroneous data, rendering the jet unresponsive to pilot commands—a failure mode directly associated with the aircraft’s integrated avionics systems rather than a mere mechanical malfunction.
Later that year, a Marine Corps F-35B aircraft crashed in South Carolina following the pilot’s ejection; the aircraft continued to fly unmanned for several minutes before ultimately landing.
2024–2025: Several Incidents and Maintenance Issues
The pattern persisted into 2024 and 2025, with numerous incidents involving both Air Force and Navy variants. In May 2024, a prototype F-35B aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from New Mexico, resulting in injuries to the pilot.
The most notable incident in 2025 prior to the Pacific disappearance was the January 28 accident of an F-35A at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska. The pilot evacuated safely; however, subsequent investigations revealed that contaminated hydraulic fluid—water mixed into the system—froze in low temperatures, causing the landing gear systems to become jammed. This caused the aircraft’s onboard sensors to misinterpret its condition, resulting in the configuration of systems for ground operations while the aircraft remained airborne, ultimately making it uncontrollable.
Shortly thereafter, in July 2025, a U.S. Navy F-35C aircraft crashed near Naval Air Station Lemoore in California, with the pilot ejecting safely. The cause is currently under investigation.
Beyond outright collisions, there have been significant emergency landings—such as a British F-35B that diverted due to low fuel and made an unplanned landing in India in June 2025 — highlighting that even non-crash incidents can present logistical and security challenges.
Summary of Accident Trends
Based on data collected by aviation safety monitoring organizations, there have been no fewer than 11 F-35 accidents since 2018—averaging more than one incident annually—despite the aircraft’s designation as a flagship fighter platform.
Technological Complexity and Reliability Challenges
The design philosophy of the F-35 is founded upon the comprehensive integration of software, sensors, and automated flight control systems. These components are essential to the aircraft’s stealth and operational capabilities, facilitating features such as sensor integration and reduced observability that characterize fifth-generation fighters.
Nonetheless, this complexity additionally entails a multi-tiered reliance on software and automation:
Firstly, all critical flight systems—ranging from navigation and weapons targeting to flight control and stability augmentation—are regulated by embedded software. Failures or inaccuracies within these systems may result in situations that pilots find difficult to rectify manually.
Secondly, sophisticated sensors and system interconnectivity imply that maintenance, logistics, and environmental factors (such as water contamination in hydraulics) can spread through multiple subsystems in unforeseen manners, as demonstrated by the Alaska accident.
Thirdly, recent audits and reports, including an assessment by the U.S. Pentagon inspector general, have identified deficiencies in sustainment and readiness: in 2024, F-35 jets were reportedly operational for flight only 50% of the time, falling short of the military’s established threshold requirements. These reliability issues arise in part from intricate maintenance requirements associated with advanced technological systems.
Taken together, these factors contribute to an ongoing debate within defense circles: although sensors and automation offer exceptional battlefield awareness and capabilities, they also introduce additional failure points that must be addressed through comprehensive testing, maintenance procedures, and thorough pilot training.
Russian and International Commentary on F-35 Reliability
Russian media and defense analysts have been outspoken regarding F-35 incidents, often viewing them as indicative that advanced Western aircraft are intrinsically less dependable than simpler designs. Some accounts highlight systemic deficiencies, increased expenses, and operational unpredictability, asserting that recurring incidents diminish confidence in the aircraft’s combat capabilities. Critics also compare F-35 readiness rates unfavorably with those of other fighter fleets, frequently citing reports indicating that approximately fifty percent of all F-35s are mission-ready at any given time.
Beyond incidents of crashes, Russian sources also analyze close-quarters intercept recordings depicting dangerous interactions between F-35s and Russian military aircraft—presenting these as further evidence that Western fighters are being maneuvered into complex situations for which they may not be adequately prepared.
Although such commentary is frequently influenced by geopolitical viewpoints, it nevertheless signifies a wider international examination of the performance of highly digitized weapons systems in real-world scenarios.
Understanding the Broader Implications
It would be misleading to characterize the F-35’s operational history as entirely unfavorable. Many experts assert that sophisticated aircraft are inevitably likely to encounter initial challenges as highly complex systems are introduced into operational use. Testing, feedback, and incremental enhancements are a standard aspect of the development process in military aviation. However, the frequent rate of incidents—particularly those related to automated system misinterpretation or reliance—raises significant concerns for both planners and pilots.
In contemporary combat and peacetime missions, excessive dependence on automation without adequate redundancy or manual override options may pose a significant risk. This is not exclusive to the F-35; however, its extensive software content—estimated to include millions of lines of code—renders it a notable example of the challenge in balancing technological superiority with operational resilience.
Conclusion: Lessons from an Ambitious Program
The F-35 Lightning II continues to serve as a central element of U.S. and allied air strategy—advanced in technology, expensive, and highly capable. Nevertheless, its operational history to date, culminating in the recent loss over the Pacific, underscores the difficulties associated with deploying such a sophisticated system on a large scale.
From hydraulic system failures to sensor malfunctions and rigorous maintenance protocols, the jet’s incidents demonstrate that advanced military technology must be complemented by equally rigorous reliability engineering, maintenance infrastructure, and human-systems integration. As countries continue investing in fifth-generation aircraft and subsequent generations, these lessons will be essential in guiding the design, testing, and operation of future systems.