British F-35 crashes into the Mediterranean, pilot ejects safely

LONDON – A British F-35B combat jet based on the new Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth has crashed into the eastern Mediterranean Sea, the Ministry of Defence confirmed Nov. 17.

The pilot ejected and has been picked up and returned safely to the carrier.

The F-35B short-take-off, vertical-landing jet was one of eight British aircraft deployed on the Queen Elizabeth as it returned from a deployment in the Far East. The aircraft is one of 24 so far delivered to the British. The British are ordering 48 jets so far but have pledged to purchase 138, although that number is likely to be cut .

Ten US Marine F-35B’s are also deployed on the carrier.

The MoD said the crash occurred at 10:00 GMT during a routine operation from the carrier. No other aircraft were involved.

HMS Queen Elizabeth is on its maiden operational deployment, acting as the centerpiece of a British-led carrier strike group including U.S. and Dutch warships.

An investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, the MoD said on Wednesday.

Andrew Chuter is the United Kingdom correspondent for Defense News.

伦敦——英国国防部于11月17日证实，一架隶属于英国皇家海军新型航空母舰“伊丽莎白女王”号的F-35B战斗机坠入东地中海。

飞行员弹射逃生后已被救起并安全返回航母。

这架F-35B短距起飞/垂直降落喷气式战斗机是部署在“伊丽莎白女王”号航母上的八架英国飞机之一，当时该航母正从远东地区执行任务返回英国。这架飞机是迄今为止交付给英国的24架F-35B之一。英国目前已订购了48架F-35B，并承诺购买138架，不过这个数字很可能会减少。

航母上还部署了十架美国海军陆战队的F-35B战斗机。

英国国防部表示，事故发生在格林尼治标准时间10:00，当时该航母正在执行例行任务。事故未涉及其他飞机。

英国皇家海军“伊丽莎白女王”号航空母舰正在进行首次作战部署，作为由英国领导的航母打击群的核心舰艇，该打击群还包括美国和荷兰的军舰。

英国国防部周三表示，对坠机原因的调查仍在进行中。

Andrew Chuter 是《防务新闻》的英国记者。