PartYard Defense

The F-35, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is the U.S. military’s most technologically advanced fighter jet and is used by three American military branches — the Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force. File Photo by Alex R. Lloyd/U.S. Air Force

Jan. 26 (UPI) — The U.S. Navy said it began plans Wednesday to recover and salvage an F-35 fighter jet that crashed on the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson early this week in the South China Sea.The crash on Monday injured multiple sailors after the sophisticated F-35C aircraft had conducted routine flight operations in the South China Sea. The pilot safely ejected and was in stable condition after being recovered by a military helicopter

The Navy said the $100 million airplane fell off the massive aircraft carrier into the South China Sea after the crash. Damage to the carrier was superficial and has already continued regular operations.

“The U.S. Navy is making recovery operations arrangements for the F-35C aircraft involved in the mishap,” said Brenda Way, spokeswoman for the Navy’s Pacific Fleet, according to ABC News.