First entering service in the 1980s, the twin-engine fighter plane was the U.S. 's first strike fighter - an aircraft capable of attacking both ground and aerial targets.

在上世纪八十年代开始服役，这是美国的第一个双引擎攻击战斗机，它即能攻击地上目标也能攻击空中目标。

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There were new designs for the plane's rocket engine, landing equipment and the small rockets needed to move it in space.

VOA: special.2010.07.07

Extensive tests on the plane's engine revealed the crack was a result of the "unique operating environment" of the test flight, and was not a widespread issue, he added.

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The cause of the crash has not yet been officially confirmed but Mr Shahi said he had been informed the plane's engine burst into flames after being hit by a bird.

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The plane's left engine, which detached from the plane, evidently upon impact with the water, was found Wednesday in about 50 feet of water, and recovery is expected sometime Thursday, the NTSB said.

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