N. Prabhakaran Dubai: The Iranian attack on America's ultra-modern F-35 stealth fighter jet has become a major topic of global discussio...
N. Prabhakaran
Dubai: The Iranian attack on America's ultra-modern F-35 stealth fighter jet has become a major topic of global discussion. According to the latest reports, the F-35, a fifth-generation U.S. combat aircraft, was attacked while flying over central Iran.
The incident occurred on Thursday, March 19, at approximately 2:50 AM. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for the attack. Iran asserts that they targeted the aircraft using a new air defense system.
The F-35 is renowned as the world's premier 'stealth' aircraft (invisible to radar). How Iran managed to counter it has sparked intense debate among military experts. It is believed that new radar technology developed with Russian assistance helped Iran detect the stealth aircraft.
Passive Sensors: The aircraft may have been tracked using 'passive' sensors that do not emit radio waves. This prevents the pilot from receiving an alert that the plane is under surveillance.
Electronic Warfare: Reports suggest Iran may have conducted cyber-electronic attacks to disrupt the aircraft's communication systems and defensive shields.
The American Response
While the U.S. Military's Central Command (CENTCOM) has not officially confirmed an "attack," they have provided some significant information. The U.S. states that during a combat mission over Iran, the aircraft experienced a malfunction and was forced to make an emergency landing at a U.S. military base in the Middle East.
U.S. spokesperson Captain Tim Hawkins stated that the pilot is safe and an investigation into the incident has been launched. Indications suggest the aircraft sustained serious damage, though the U.S. has not clarified whether this was due to a direct attack or a technical failure.
Previously, in October 2024, an Iranian missile attack on Israel’s Nevatim Airbase reportedly damaged hangars housing F-35 jets. Iran is highlighting the ability to strike this aircraft—which costs over $100 million—as major proof of its military prowess.
The F-35A Lightning II is the most expensive fighter jet project in history, built on the claim that it can fly through the most advanced defense systems without being detected. Captain Tim Hawkins noted that the pilot was forced to divert while flying over Iran and landed at a secret base; the pilot is now out of danger.
The Role of Technology
A video released via Iran’s Fars News Agency appears to show a missile striking the left side of an aircraft. The authenticity of this video has not been independently verified. If confirmed, this would be the first American aircraft downed by an Iranian attack since the start of 'Operation Epic Fury' on February 28. Beyond strategic damage, this incident reveals potential limitations of the F-35.
While the F-35 uses radar-absorbent materials and a shape designed to scatter radar waves, it cannot completely eliminate the heat signature emitted by the jet.
Iran has developed air defense systems that target aircraft using 'Passive Infrared Sensors' instead of traditional radar. These systems detect the heat from the engine rather than waiting for radio waves, meaning the pilot receives no warning. Similar systems have been used successfully by Houthi rebels in Yemen. Since these sensors do not emit signals, a plane's Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) cannot identify them until the final moment of impact.
U.S. F-35s have often faced difficulties countering even Houthi rebel attacks. The risk increases as U.S. aircraft penetrate deep into Iranian territory. A major challenge is Iran’s road-mobile air defense systems, which are difficult to locate or destroy.
To date, the U.S. has lost more than ten military aircraft in the ongoing conflict. In March, several soldiers were killed in separate accidents in Kuwait and Iraq. Because Iran's defense systems are mounted on trucks and easily relocated, it remains a significant hurdle for the U.S. military to track and neutralize them.
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