A pilot training in one of America's most expensive weapons systems ejected over South Carolina. Officials can't find the F-35 he was flying.
Business InsiderJUL 2023
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
It's ridiculous that the US military lost an ultra-high-tech fighter jet and were forced to turn to the public to find it, rather than use a tracking device. The fact that civilians had been tasked with locating the most advanced and lethal fighter jet in the world calls the competency of the military authorities into question.
Pro-establishment narrative
The F-35s are designed to be difficult to detect, and their anti-radar capabilities are one of the key reasons they are enlisted in the US military. While it may be frustrating that the stealthy jet couldn't be tracked, it's also testament to the efficacy of the technology, as the jet proved undetectable while airborne.
Metaculus Prediction
There's a 25% chance that the US President's ability to deploy military force will be further restricted by 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
