ALISON BATH
Recovery of a Navy fighter jet recently downed over the Red Sea likely hinges on what’s left of the wreckage and how safely a salvage operation could be pulled off, analysts say.
The F/A-18 Super Hornet launched from the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman was shot down by apparent “friendly fire” from the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg on Dec. 22. Although the jet is being phased out, newer Block III versions of it have equipment upgrades that could be a tempting target for adversaries.
It’s unknown whether the F/A-18 in question was a Block III or had been outfitted with the newer technology, which includes an infrared system useful in pinpointing stealth aircraft, better radar equipment and a precision approach landing system.
“There would perhaps be sensitive material onboard … worth recovery, but it depends on the condition of the aircraft and where it went down in the Red Sea,” said Steven Wills, a naval analyst with the Center for Maritime Strategy at the Navy League of the United States.
The aircraft may have been largely destroyed, so it’s uncertain how much might be left to recover, he said.
“Much of the Red Sea is relatively shallow ... but there are some deep trenches that are very deep,” he said. “The U.S. has recovered downed intact aircraft in the past, but recovery of wreckage perhaps strewn over miles of seabed would be a challenge.”
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