Two US Navy jets collide midair during Idaho air show, all crew members safe

Two US Navy EA18G Growler fighter jets collided midair during an aerial demonstration at the Gunfighter Skies Air Show near Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho on Sunday forcing all four crew members to eject before the aircraft crashed according to media reportsThe incident took place at around 1210 pm local time during the second day of the air show Officials confirmed that all four personnel onboard the two aircraft ejected safely and were later evaluated by medical teamsThe aircraft involved in the collision belonged to Electronic Attack Squadron VAQ129 which is based at Naval Air Station Whidbey IslandMidair collision occurred during aerial demonstrationAccording to reports by Fox News the two EA18G Growler jets collided while performing as part of the air show demonstration near Mountain Home Air Force BaseCmdr Amelia Umayam spokesperson for Naval Air Forces US Pacific Fleet said all four crew members managed to eject safely moments before the jets crashed to the groundEmergency teams were immediately deployed to the crash site as authorities secured the area and began preliminary investigations into the cause of the collisionVideos show aircraft crashing after collisionVideos circulating on social media appeared to show the two aircraft making contact in the air before four parachutes became visible The footage later showed both aircraft falling rapidly before crashing and erupting into flames sending large plumes of black smoke into the skyLocal broadcaster KTVB reported that witnesses at the venue saw the collision occur during the live demonstration Several attendees also shared visuals from the scene showing emergency crews rushing towards the crash areaIn a statement shared on Facebook Mountain Home Gunfighters confirmed that an aircraft incident had occurred around two miles northwest of the air base during the event Officials said emergency responders were on the scene and an investigation was underwayEA18G Growler used for electronic warfare missionsThe EA18G Growler is an electronic warfare aircraft developed from the FA18 Super Hornet platform and is used by the US Navy for airborne electronic attack missionsThe aircraft is designed to jam enemy radar and communication systems and plays a major role in modern combat operations The Growler is operated with a twomember crew consisting of a pilot and an electronic warfare officerUS announces major F35 upgrade programmeSeparately the United States has announced a major modernisation programme for its Lockheed Martin F35 Lightning II stealth fighter fleetAccording to a US Department of Defense contract announcement Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract worth nearly USD 991 million for the production and delivery of 432 modification kits for F35 fighter aircraftThe order includes aircraft operated by the US Air Force US Marine Corps US Navy and international partner nations participating in the Joint Strike Fighter programmeBlock 4 upgrades to improve combat capabilityThe upgrades are part of the F35rsquos Block 4 modernisation programme which includes more than 70 capability enhancements across all three variants of the aircraftAccording to Lockheed Martin the improvements include increased missilecarrying capacity upgraded electronic warfare systems better target recognition technology and several classified combat capabilitiesThe programme is aimed at strengthening the operational effectiveness of the F35 fleet as global militaries continue investing in advanced air combat and electronic warfare technologiesWith inputs from ANI