A planned visit to the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth from Prince Charles was canceled after a disastrous crash which has both ruined the planned visit and created an enormous security risk. An F-35 jet operating from the carrier went down seconds after takeoff during what should have been a routine flight. The pilot ejected safely and was supposedly left dangling from the side of the aircraft carrier, though the F-35 sank to the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea.
Aircraft carrier visit for Prince Charles canceled
The Prince of Wales and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, were meant to visit the Royal Navy flagship during a trip to Egypt.
Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla made a conspicuous visit to the Pyramids of Giza, the oldest and last surviving of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
Egypt is working hard to overcome its recent troubles and revive its previously thriving tourism industry by embracing its ancient Egyptian past. The country is doubtless very pleased to have the royals seeing the sights of Cairo.
With HMS Queen Elizabeth returning from the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean the aircraft carrier was meant to host a royal visit as it passed the coast of Egypt.
Unfortunately, something went horribly wrong with one of the eight RAF F-35 fighters operated from the Queen Elizabeth. Charles and Camilla had been meant to watch these new fighters in operation during their visit..
The pilot escaped with only minor injuries but the fighter itself sank to the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea and has not yet been located.
Another setback for the F-35
This is a distressing situation for the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force even beyond the embarrassment of having to cancel a visit from Prince Charles.
Russia is watching closely and would be thrilled to get its hands on the sunken F-35 if its navy can located the missing fighter before the British.
The United Kingdom has the ability to raise the fighter but with the Russians hoping to grab it first the situation has become urgent enough for the British to ask for American help.
The United States military is likely also very keen to investigate the malfunction which caused its astronomically expensive fighter to plunge into the sea immediately after takeoff.
The ruinously expensive aircraft, development of which cost the US nearly half a trillion dollars, has been a consistent disappointment for the NATO countries which contributed to its development.
The demonstration for Prince Charles was meant to show off the capabilities of this troubled fighter for the royals and for the British public. Instead, the cause of the cancellation has become both a humiliation and a national security risk for the UK and the USA.
