Auto pilot could take it anywhere the fuel on board would allow... again, any nukes on board?
If he wanted to take the plane (or weapons) somewhere like Cuba, it would seem likely he would stay with the aircraft.
Could be the pilot couldn’t regain control of the aircraft or was having a medical emergency that limited his abilities (vertigo, loss of vision, etc) and ejected, but you would think that would be an absolute last resort.
It also seems there were 2 F-35s, with 1 landing and 1 lost. Why would the 2nd plane leave his wingman? Odd indeed. There is obviously more to the story than they are revealing.
Do you think we normally fly nukes on small fighters over theCONUS?
I dont think thats how things work.