More details emerge about crashed F-35 plane - CBS News

[TexasTowelie]

A week ago, a military pilot ejected from his F-35 plane. The aircraft continued to fly until it crashed, setting off a frantic search for the pricey piece of equipment. Now, we're finding out more about what happened once the pilot parachuted to the ground. David Martin reports.

[Think. Again.]

1. Gee....

...I wish our military had top of the line technology that could track locations of things somehow.

I know, I a dreamer.

[TexasTowelie]

2. If we had trackers emitting signals on those planes it would negate the billions of dollars that was

spent on developing the stealth technology that enables those planes to avoid enemy radar. Therefore, your suggestion isn't likely to occur.

[Think. Again.]

3. Good point!

I thought those 'stealth' planes were all black and triangular.

[cstanleytech]

4. That was from when the tech and designs were in their infancy.

[intheflow]

5. Uh, they could pop an Air Tag in the cockpit.

It's not trackable except to those who initiated it. The tech exists. And would be especially useful in domestic lights, as this was.

[TexasTowelie]

6. I'm not familiar with Air Tags so I had to search on the topic.

It appears that the signals from Air Tags are only good for about 30 feet away from a device that can pick up the signal. The signal is relayed through the iOS network to the people who are trying to track the signal. Air Tags do not use GPS, but rely on Bluetooth technology to connect to another Bluetooth device such as an iPhone. Even if the pilot activated the Air Tag when he ejected from the plane, I doubt that the plane would have remained within the proximity of a Bluetooth device to aid in tracking. Furthermore, Air Tags only work on Apple devices and are not compatible with the Android system which means that only 28% of devices can pick up the signal .

The signal from an Air Tag is only updated every minute or so which for a plane flying at sub-sonic speeds will still leave a search area of about 10 miles. It would narrow the search, particularly if the plane remains on the same vector.

Finally there is the human element. If the pilot has decided to eject from their plane, then they are going to be focused upon other concerns