General faints during press conference

Defence projects are notorious for running over budget and behind schedule. They're enough to make your head spin and that appears to be just what happened to a US General who fainted during a press briefing overnight.

US Air Force Major General James Martin, who is deputy assistant secretary for budget, was updating reporters at the Pentagon on the future of the F35 fighter jet when he suddenly collapsed at the lectern.

His colleague Air Force Deputy for Budget Carolyn Gleason laughed nervously as the general slumped over and momentarily lost consciousness with his forehead on the podium.

She pulled an awkward face and kept General Martin on his feet as a group of other uniformed officials rushed to his aide.

"That's what the F-35 will do to you," Ms Gleason said.

"He kept threatening to pull a hammy. I didn't think he really meant it."

Ms Gleason then carried on the briefing alone as General Martin was led off stage.

He was taken to hospital as a precaution where he was diagnosed with the flu. He is expected to be fine