U.S. working to recover F-35 warplane -------------------------------------------- The U.S. Navy is racing to recover an F-35 fighter jet that fell into the South China Sea – before the Chinese get there first -------------------------------------------- LOCKHEED MARTIN F-35C LIGHTNING II: Carrier-based variant of U.S. stealth fighter. Sunken plane likely armed with at least two missiles -------------------------------------------- Jet costs roughly $100 million and is packed with classified technology Length 15.7 metres Wingspan 13.1 metres Maximum speed Mach 1.6 Range 2,200km Payload 8,160kg -------------------------------------------- CHINA 400km 250 miles Manila PHILIPPINES Paracel Islands Spratly Islands INDONESIA SOUTH CHINA SEA -------------------------------------------- Jan 24: F-35 falls into sea after suffering “landing mishap” on deck of USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier. Plane lies on seabed in international waters (location unconfirmed) -------------------------------------------- Nine-dash line: China claims most of South China Sea and could try to claim F-35 salvage rights USS CARL VINSON Nimitz-class aircraft carrier Length: 333m -------------------------------------------- Accident: Jet impacted flight deck and fell over side. Seven personnel injured – pilot ejected safely Propulsion: Two nuclear reactors Speed: 30+ knots Crew: 5,200 -------------------------------------------- Sources: BBC, Reuters, USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker © GRAPHIC NEWS