- The jet is the world's most expensive weapons system and costs have rocketed
- One went down over Beaufort, South Carolina at 11.45am local time today
- The pilot ejected before the crash and is now being treated by medical personnel
The Ministry of Defence has said it will not be grounding any planes for the time being - but that could change following the investigation.
A US F-35 pilot was forced to eject midair after the $100million fighter jet crashed in South Carolina (pictured; the smoking aftermath of the crash)
A thick cloud of smoke enveloped the area around the crash site close to a military base in South Carolina
Today the Marine Corps are busy investigating what caused one of the planes to go down during a training exercise at 11.45am local time today.
A spokesman said: 'Marines from MCAS Beaufort are working with local authorities currently conducting standard mishap operations to secure the crash site and ensure the safety of all personnel in the surrounding area.'
The pilot was able to safely eject before impact and no civilians were hurt.
Speaking on condition of anonymity ahead of an official announcement, a defense official told AFP that the Marine Corps F-35B had crashed outside Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in South Carolina.
'It's a total loss,' the official said.
There were no civilian injuries in the crash.
The crash comes just one day after the US military first used the F-35B, which has been beset with delays and cost overruns, in combat. Multiple Marine Corps F-35Bs struck Taliban targets in Afghanistan.
It also comes on the same day one of the jets landed on the HMS Queen Elizabeth for the very first time.
The jets will be jointly operated by the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy and will operate from land and sea, including off the decks of the new £3.1 billion Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers.
On top of this the jet is able to find and hit targets all by itself.
Sensors of the jets are also able to take down information and pass it onto other aircraft or combat systems.
The jets flew over from US Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in South Carolina to Norfolk in August
The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office said the crash was reported about 11:45 a.m. Friday near the Grays Hill community, outside Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in South Carolina (pictured)
Key facts about the F-35B jet
The 'fifth generation' fighter aircraft is the world's most expensive weapons system, though costs have finally stabilised at an eye-watering $406billion.
Manufacturer Lockheed-Martin agreed to cap costs after US President Donald Trump critised the project and even tweeted support for a rival aircraft.
Britain is currently embarked on a £9.1billion programme to purchase 48 of the F-35s, from American aviation giant Lockheed Martin, by 2025.
America enticed its Nato and other allies into sharing the cost of the aircraft by offering input into manufacture and 15 per cent of each one is comprised of parts from British companies while some of the jets will be made in Italy.
But the planes have been plagued by a catalogue of problems which have sent costs soaring.
There are fears about shortcomings in the technical systems underpinning the new generation of war planes will leave them unable to function properly.
The true cost of the British planes delivered this year is estimated to be over £150million each to cover 'extras' such as software upgrades and spare parts.
There are also concerns plane's software system is vulnerable to cyber-attack and cannot be tested independently by the UK.
The problems are not helped by the department responsible for the computer networks essential to the aircraft's operation needs to find savings of £400 million this year.
The reports into the costs and other problems prompted the Defence Select Committee to launch an inquiry into the project.
It reprimanded the Ministry of Defence for keeping parliament and the public in the dark about the costs.
The MoD has so far refused to provide the estimated cost to the UK of buying the F-35, beyond referring to a National Audit Office which used the £9.1billion figure.
MPs said 'it is simply not acceptable for the MoD to refuse to disclose to parliament and the public its estimates for the total cost of the programme'.
Though the cost of the F-35 has been the focus of attention, there have also been embarrassing reports of operational shortcomings emerging from the United States.
In a mock air battle in 2015, the cutting edge plane was defeated by an older generation F-16, a plane designed in the 1970s.
Last year Pentagon tests found 276 different faults in jet's combat system.
They included the 25mm cannon vibrating excessively and problems with the he aircraft's 'virtual reality' helmet
Overheating, premature wear of components in the vertical tails and vulnerability to fire were also found to be issues.
The US Air Force temporarily grounded dozens its F-35 stealth fighters while it investigated an oxygen supply issue.
The Marine Corps, who also operate the same F-35B model the UK has purchased, was forced to ground its planes after flaws were found in the computer system.
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
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