U.S. loses yet another $60 million fighter jet in Red Sea as Houthi conflict spirals

• A U.S. F/A-18 Super Hornet crashed into the Red Sea after a failed landing on the USS Harry S. Truman, marking the third such loss in recent months.
• Both pilots ejected safely with minor injuries, but the $60-70 million jet was lost due to an arrestment failure on the carrier’s deck.
• The Pentagon denies Houthi involvement, despite the rebels reportedly firing at the Truman the same day, contradicting U.S. ceasefire claims.
• The Navy has lost three Super Hornets in six months, raising concerns about operational readiness and financial waste in the costly conflict.
• Houthi attacks continue to challenge U.S. forces, with drones and missiles targeting American assets in solidarity with Palestine, exposing strategic vulnerabilities.

The U.S. military suffered another costly setback in the Red Sea this week as an F/A-18 Super Hornet plunged into the water after a failed landing attempt on the USS Harry S. Truman, marking the second such loss in just over a week and the third since operations against Yemen’s Houthi rebels intensified.

The $60-70 million warplane went overboard Tuesday following an arrestment failure, forcing both pilots to eject. Pentagon officials insist the jet “was not struck by the Houthis,” despite the rebel group reportedly taking a shot at the carrier the same day. The incident underscores the Trump administration’s faltering campaign in the region, where U.S. forces have faced relentless attacks while propping up Israel’s controversial military actions in Gaza.

Another costly failure for the U.S. Navy

The latest mishap occurred when the Super Hornet’s tailhook failed to catch the arresting cable on the Truman’s flight deck, sending the aircraft into the sea. Both crew members ejected safely and were rescued with minor injuries. This marks the second F/A-18 lost from the Truman in eight days; last week, another jet fell overboard during evasive maneuvers against Houthi missile fire. In December, a third Super Hornet was mistakenly shot down by the USS Gettysburg, a cruiser assigned to the Truman’s strike group.

The repeated losses highlight systemic failures in U.S. operations, with each incident costing taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. The Navy has yet to recover any of the downed aircraft, raising questions about operational readiness. A defense official told CBS News that the latest crash involved “an arrestment failure,” referring to the mechanism designed to safely halt landing jets. Meanwhile, the Truman’s troubled deployment has included a February collision with a merchant ship near Egypt, which led to the carrier’s commanding officer being relieved of duty.

Houthis remain defiant despite ceasefire claims

The incidents unfolded the same day President Trump announced a ceasefire with the Houthis, declaring the group had “capitulated” after months of U.S.-led strikes. Yet hours later, the rebels reportedly fired at the Truman, casting doubt on Washington’s claims of victory. The Houthis have repeatedly targeted U.S. and allied ships in solidarity with Palestinians, citing Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Their attacks have downed over a dozen U.S. drones, including a $32 million MQ-9 Reaper earlier this month.

While the Pentagon denies Houthi involvement in the latest Super Hornet loss, the timing reinforces the rebels’ persistent threat. Analysts argue the U.S. is trapped in an unwinnable conflict, pouring resources into defending Israeli interests while facing growing regional backlash. The Truman’s struggles mirror broader strategic failures, with the carrier strike group suffering repeated mishaps since deploying last September.

A pattern of costly missteps

The financial toll of these losses is staggering. Each F/A-18 carries a $60-70 million price tag, and the Navy has now lost three in six months. The USS Gettysburg’s friendly-fire downing in December, which occurred during airstrikes on Yemen, exposed critical communication failures. Meanwhile, the Houthis continue to exploit U.S. vulnerabilities, using low-cost drones and missiles to challenge American dominance.

With the Red Sea becoming a graveyard for U.S. hardware, critics argue Washington’s blind support for Israel’s Gaza offensive has backfired, emboldening the Houthis and draining military resources. As investigations into the latest crash continue, it is clear that the U.S. cannot afford to keep losing multi-million-dollar jets in a conflict it refuses to end.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

CBSNews.com

CNN.com

FoxNews.com