[G Larry]

I have trouble understanding what the "malfunction" might have been, given that the plane flew another 60 miles before crashing....even after its profile was compromised following canopy ejection....???

In 6 months we'll likely see reference to "pilot error"....

[noiseman]

”…even after its profile was compromised following canopy ejection....???”

A small point here, but the F-35 doesn’t jettison its canopy when the pilot ejects, but instead fractures the portion above his head with embedded explosive cord and the seat departs through the resulting hole. So it’s likely that the forward portion of the canopy was still intact, which would have bean more aerodynamically clean than a missing canopy.

OK, now I’m starting to sound like Cliff Clavin, so I’ll stop right there.