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USS Nimitz Super Hornet Lost in South China Sea
A U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet was lost from the USS Nimitz during operations in the South China Sea on October 26, 2025.
On October 26, 2025, the U.S. Navy (USN) aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) reported the loss of an F/A-18F Super Hornet from the “Fighting Redcocks” squadron while conducting routine flight operations in the South China Sea. The F/A-18F is the two-seat Super Hornet variant, a carrier-capable, multirole strike fighter.
USS Nimitz Super Hornet: what we know
Recovery teams were dispatched immediately and search-and-recover efforts remain active. The Navy confirmed there were no injuries reported aboard the carrier and that flight operations have continued, though likely at a reduced pace while recovery and safety assessments proceed.
The Nimitz was operating in international waters and participating in joint exercises with allied naval units at the time of the incident. The service has opened an official investigation to determine the cause of the loss; formal findings and a timeline for the probe have not yet been released.
- Confirmed: USS Nimitz Super Hornet lost on October 26, 2025, in the South China Sea.
- No injuries reported; recovery operations ongoing.
- Navy investigation launched; flight ops continuing aboard CVN-68.
Details such as the aircraft’s bureau number, the pilot(s) involved, or the exact recovery coordinates have not been disclosed publicly. The Navy typically withholds certain operational specifics during active searches and investigations to protect personnel safety and operational security.
We’ll watch for official updates from U.S. Navy channels and allied statements as investigators complete on-scene assessments and the carrier group publishes findings. For now, the incident underscores the inherent risks of carrier flight operations and the continued importance of robust recovery and investigation procedures.
