** F-18**
A U.S. Navy F/A-18E crashed about 45 miles off the coast of Virginia Beach on Wednesday during a routine training mission.
The pilot ejected before the Super Hornet went down and is in critical condition after being rescued by a fishing vessel, according to a statement by the Navy. He had deployed his life raft and was conscious when he was found. He was taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital by helicopter.
The accident comes on the heels of a Navy MH-53E Sea Dragon crash in the Atlantic that killed two crew members.
According to Boeing, a Super Hornet goes for a purchase price of $52 million.
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