A state-of-the-art US air force F-22 fighter has crashed in the desert in southern California, the Pentagon says.
A state-of-the-art US air force F-22 fighter has crashed in the desert in southern California, the Pentagon says.
Lt Col Ann Stefanek confirmed the crash near the Edwards Air Force Base but gave no other details. An official said the plane had been on a test mission.
The fate of the pilot was not immediately known after the plane, which was on a test mission, came down near Edwards Air Force Base.
The US air force website lists the F-22 Raptor, which is made by Lockheed Martin, as its newest fighter.
The US air force website lists the F-22 Raptor, which is made by Lockheed Martin, as its newest fighter.
The air force said the jet would have "better reliability and maintainability than any fighter aircraft in history".
The air force said the jet would have "better reliability and maintainability than any fighter aircraft in history".
The F-22 crashed at about 1000 local time (1700 GMT), officials said.
The F-22 crashed at about 1000 local time (1700 GMT), officials said.
Rescue teams were reported to be on their way to the crash site. The fate of the pilot was not known.
Rescue teams were reported to be on their way to the crash site.
The $140m (£96m), supersonic F-22 is a so-called fifth generation jet, and arguably the world's most sophisticated fighter.
The $140m (£96m), supersonic F-22 is a so-called fifth generation jet, and arguably the world's most sophisticated fighter.
The air force said the crash was the second involving an F-22.
The air force said the crash was the second involving an F-22.
"The first one was during the aircraft's test and evaluation period in December 2004 also at Edwards, during which the pilot ejected safely," a statement said.
"The first one was during the aircraft's test and evaluation period in December 2004 also at Edwards, during which the pilot ejected safely," a statement said.
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