UK assumes risk of F-35B loss every 30,000 hours

The crash of a UK F-35B Lightning II fighter during take-off from the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) in the Mediterranean Sea recently came only one-third of the way into the planned for risk of loss of an airframe, based on fleet flight hours conducted. Initial speculation suggested the ingestion by the F-35B of an engine cover as it launched down the flight deck, although the cause of the November 17 incident is yet to be determined as the