US F-16 crashes near Las Vegas
A US F-16 fighter jet crashed on Wednesday near Las Vegas, the third US military aircraft crash in two days.
'An air force F-16 assigned to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, crashed at approximately 10:30 am during routine training on the Nevada Test and Training Range,' the service said in a statement.' The condition of the pilot is not known at this time,' it said.
The crash followed two others the day before. In California, a USMC CH-53E helicopter crashed with four crew aboard.
'The status of all four is presumed dead pending positive identification,' the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing said.
And in Djibouti, a Marine AV-8B Harrier jet crashed after the pilot ejected during takeoff.
'Doctors said the pilot was in stable condition,' US Naval Forces Central Command said.
US Defense Department chief James Mattis secured a record budget last month for the Pentagon, which will allow investments that have been on hold for several years, including in the navy, which is overstretched in foreign theatres, and the air force, which suffers rapid pilot turnover due to more lucrative private sector options.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Defence Notes
-
![UK Chancellor commits £2 billion to make the country a “defence industrial superpower”]()
UK Chancellor commits £2 billion to make the country a “defence industrial superpower”
Rachel Reeves announced port upgrades, protected budgets for innovation and investment in novel technologies.
-
![Launch of Gilat Defense targets DoD market]()
Launch of Gilat Defense targets DoD market
The communications company Gilat launched its new Gilat Defense division at the Satellite 2025 expo, with future solutions aimed at US military customers.
-
![Collins MAPS Gen II to equip US DoD watercraft]()
Collins MAPS Gen II to equip US DoD watercraft
US services have already conducted multiple tests with military maritime systems fitted with the system.
-
![OCCAR expects substantial boost in programme numbers “in the coming months”]()
OCCAR expects substantial boost in programme numbers “in the coming months”
Europe’s Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) “has to establish itself…as a centre of excellence for cooperative Defence Equipment Programmes” in the face of growing threats and the need for rearmament, according to the organisation’s chairman.
-
![MBDA CEO emphasises “moment of truth” for Europe as company sees €37 billion backlog]()
MBDA CEO emphasises “moment of truth” for Europe as company sees €37 billion backlog
MBDA CEO Éric Béranger stressed the company’s role supporting European countries with complex weapon systems and focused on boosting production against the backdrop of “shifting” geopolitical alliances.
