Latest news with #F-35IAdir
India.com
4 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
5 lethal weapons that helped Israel carry out attacks and hit important targets in Iranian cities like Tehran Isfahan, Shiraz, and..., weapons are...
F-35I Adir (File) Tensions between Israel and Iran grew much worse after June 13, 2025, when Israel started a major military attack called 'Operation Rising Lion.' This attack showed just how strong and advanced Israel's military really is. Israel hit Iran's nuclear plants, army bases, and even top leaders. More than 400 people died in these attacks. Iran tried to fight back with missiles and drones, but its response was weak. Now, let's look at five such weapons that helped Israel carry out these attacks and hit important targets in cities like Tehran. 1. F-35I 'Adir' Stealth Fighter Jet One of Israel's strongest weapons is the F-35I Adir jet. It is a stealth jet, which means it can fly without being seen on enemy radar. Some key features: It can fly 2,200 kilometers without needing to refuel. It can go up to Mach 1.6 speed (that's 1.6 times the speed of sound). It can carry up to 8,160 kg of bombs and missiles. It uses smart Israeli bombs called Spice precision-guided bombs. During the operation, more than 200 F-35I jets attacked over 100 important targets in Iran, including the Natanz and Fordow nuclear plants. Because of its stealth, Iran's air defense systems could not detect them. The jets were able to destroy underground buildings, military command rooms, and other key sites in Iran. Thanks to the F-35I's advanced technology, Israel gained full air control over Tehran, attacking major targets without much risk to its own forces. Israel also used some very smart and powerful weapons in its attack on Iran. Two of these were the GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) and the Jericho-3 ballistic missile. 2. GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) This is a very smart bomb that weighs around 250 pounds. Even though it is small in size, it is very powerful and can hit targets up to 110 kilometers away. It uses GPS and internal navigation to reach its target with great accuracy. One amazing thing about this bomb is that it can break through up to 3 feet of reinforced concrete. Because it is small, fighter jets like the F-16 and F-35 can carry many of these bombs at once. During the attacks in June 2025, these bombs were used to hit: Missile launchers Nuclear research centers Command centers 3. Jericho-3 Ballistic Missile The Jericho-3 is a long-range missile made by Israel. It can travel between 4,800 to 6,500 kilometers, and carry a payload of up to 1,300 kilograms. This missile can be loaded with normal or even nuclear warheads (Israel is believed to have around 90 nuclear weapons). It uses a guidance system to find its way to the target and may also have GPS help. Although it's not clear if this missile was used in the June 2025 attack, its long range makes it possible to hit Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, and other major Iranian cities. 4. Spike Anti-Tank Missiles These are special missiles made to hit targets even when they are not directly in front (called Non-Line-of-Sight or NLOS). They can strike from as far as 30 kilometers away and use infrared and electro-optical technology to find and lock on to their targets. Spike missiles can be launched from vehicles, helicopters, or even drones, and they are powerful enough to destroy armored targets like tanks or bunkers. In the June 2025 strikes, these missiles were used to kill top Iranian military leaders, including: IRGC Commander Hossein Salami, Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri, 9 nuclear scientists 5. Heron TP Drones (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) The Heron TP is a large and powerful Israeli drone. It has a wingspan of 26 meters, ability to fly at 45,000 feet and more than 30 hours of flight time. This drone can carry up to 1,000 kg of equipment like cameras, sensors, and even missiles (like the Israeli-made 'Ankor' missiles). In the attack on Iran, Heron TP drones were used to: Watch Iran's skies closely and send back real-time data Help F-35I fighter jets by giving them important information during the strikes Destroy mobile missile launchers Keep pressure on Iran by flying near important cities like Tehran Israel even set up a drone base near Tehran, which gave them an edge in the battle. Why Iran's Defense Failed 1. Old and Outdated Defense Systems Iran still depends on older missile defense systems like: The Russian S-300 Iran's homemade Bavar-373 Old Soviet-era equipment These systems couldn't detect or stop Israel's stealth aircraft (like the F-35I) or small smart bombs like the GBU-39/B. Israel even destroyed four S-300 systems, including one near Natanz (a key nuclear site). 2. Weak Short-Range Missiles Iran's short-range air defense missiles were not enough to stop high-speed or long-range Israeli attacks. Because of this, Israel was able to control the airspace over Tehran, allowing them to attack key locations like the Ministry of Defense and nuclear sites without much resistance.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
F-35 beware! American stealth fighter has been shot down, and an innovative method was used to lock on to the advanced combat jet
Iran claims to have shot down three Israeli F-35I Adir fifth generation stealth jets during the ongoing combat operations. Iranian forces also say they have captured at least one of the female pilots flying what is touted as the world's most advanced fighter aircraft. Israel, on the other hand, denies losing any aircraft during the bombing run on Iran, and instead claims to have established aerial superiority over the skies of its adversary. Israel Defense Forces have been routinely releasing videos of air and missile strikes on Iranian air defence systems and missile launchers, with the claims of having destroyed at least a third of the latter, delivering a massive blow to Tehran's plans to target its enemy. But are the Iranian claims of having shot down multiple F-35I Adirs true? by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Bank Owned Properties For Sale In Menteng (Prices May Surprise You) Foreclosed Homes | Search ads Search Now While the truth may take some time to come out as wartime claims and counter claims continue, what is clear that Iran did try to shoot down the Israeli jets during their bombing runs. Israel, which used the F-15, F-16 and F-35 jets to hit military and nuclear facilities in Iran, has categorically stated that none of its aircraft have been shot down, let alone its prized stealth jets. Also Read: Nuclear weapons increasing as Russia-Ukraine war, Israel-Iran conflict reignites World War III fears Live Events However, American stealth combat aircraft are not immune and one was indeed brought down by a technologically less advanced adversary, and this incident happened in the last century. Another stealth jet was shot at by a surface-to-air missile and though it managed to get back to its base, the damage ensured that it was never flown again. US F-117A Nighthawk stealth fighter shot down Let's recount what happened during the civil war in the then Yugoslavia in 1999 when the United States Air Force lost a Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk stealth ground attack aircraft with serial number 82-0806 to what many considered a Soviet era obsolete surface-to-air missile system. As the civil war in the now defunct Yugoslavia raged on in the mid and late 1990s, the NATO led by the US stepped in. The US Air Force deployed its F-117A Nighthawk, the first-ever operational stealth combat jet in the world, to patrol the skies over the breaking Yugoslavia. During one such patrol on the night of March 27, 1999, a F-117A, call sign "Vega-31" and piloted by Lieutenant Colonel Darrell Patrick "Dale" Zelko was flying near Belgrade when a unit of the Yugoslavian Army under the command of Lt. Col Zoltán Dani locked on to the fighter. The unit was armed with Soviet Isayev S-125 Neva/ Pechora missile system (NATO reporting name SA-3 Goa), employing a decades old technology developed in the 1950s. How the US stealth fighter was tracked Lt. Col Dani employed an innovative and ingenious method to track and lock on to the F-117A by operating his radars thrice, each time only for 20 seconds. At 8:15 pm local time, Lt Col Dani's unit got lucky and was able to lock on to the F-117A when Lt Col Zelko opened the plane's internal bay to drop the bombs, increasing the stealth aircraft's radar cross section area. Also Read: Will US join Israel-Iran war after embassy hit? Iran's biggest blunder may drag America into conflict As soon as the F-117A lit up the radar, Lt Col Đorđe Aničić, the soldier responsible for firing the missiles, launched multiple projectiles at the stealth jet. The missiles with a range of 8 miles (13 kilometers) were fired in quick successions and the air defence system was operational for just 17 seconds to avoid detection by NATO. The jet about about 14 miles (23 km) away from the Yugoslav air defence unit when it was locked on. As it approached the area nearer to the Soviet Isayev S-125 Neva system, the missiles already airborne locked on to the jet and went for the kill. During his debriefing following his rescue, Lt. Col. Zelko recounted that he saw two Isayev S-125 missiles streaking towards him. While the first one missed the F-117A but caused buffeting, the second one detonated. The missile's shrapnel and shockwaves resulted in the stealth jet going down. The shoot down was also confirmed by a NATO Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker which was over Bosnia at that time. Lt. Col. Zelko parachuted and hid while Yugoslav soldiers fanned out to hunt him. He, however, managed to escape being captured and was ultimately rescued by a team of US Air Force combat search and rescue team. More than a month later after the shoot down, another F-117A was on April 30, 1999, hit by the Yugoslavian air defence missile. However, this one did not fall out of the sky and hobbled back to Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany. But the damage suffered by the jet was extensive and the airframe was declared a total loss and never flew again. The F-117A was retired by the US Air Force in 2008.
India.com
6 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Israel-Iran war: What modifications did Israel add to F-35s that it used to attack Iran? These jets completed 4000 km round trip without mid-air refueling due to…
F-35I Adir (File) Israel-Iran war: Israel used its F-35I Adir stealth fighter jets to conduct waves of lethal airstrikes deep inside Iran, and experts are stunned how these fuel-guzzling 5th-generation warplanes completed a nearly 4000 km-long round trip without the need for refueling. According to a media report, the F-35I Adir– the custom variant of Lockheed's F-35 Lightning-II operated by the Israeli air force– incorporates several modifications that extend its operational range without requiring mid-air refueling . What modifications were made to the Israeli F-35s? Quoting two senior US officials on the condition of anonymity, Middle East Eye (MEE) reported that the F-35 which Israel used to attack Iran did not use mid-air refueling, nor land in any nearby country to refuel. While the modifications added to Israel's F-35 fleet are highly-classified, the MEE report, citing US officials, said that the stealth fighters have been modified to carry additional fuel, allowing these warplanes to fly long missions without requiring a refuel. The officials asserted that these custom modifications have not the affected the stealth capabilities of the F-35I Adir. Notably, Israel is the only country to fly a custom variant of the F-35. The US officials termed the F-35's performance in Iran a 'game changer', stating that the US had approved these modifications. 'This is a game changer. Israel had our cooperation in this modification.' The F-35 is the world's only long-range stealth fighter aircraft, equipped with advanced stealth capabilities, which makes it highly difficult for radar systems to track. Israel-Iran war Israel launched its fiercest attack on Iran, unleashing a wave of pre-dawn air strikes on Iranian cities on Friday, including capital Tehran, under Operation Rising Lion, in which several top Iranian nuclear scientists and military commanders, including IRGC chief Hossein Salami, commander Ghulam-Ali Rashid, nuclear scientist Dr. Mohammad Tehranchi, nuclear scientist Dr. Fereydoon Abbasi and Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri. Tehran vowed to avenge the Israeli attack, stating that its response will be anything beyond what Israel and ally, the United States, could ever imagine, triggering the fears of a full-scale Iran-Israel war. On the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, Iran responded with a barrage of missiles and drones that struck several Israeli cities and major population centers, including Tel Aviv. Israel launched a fresh wave of strikes on Iran on Saturday, killing more of Iran's top military brass and nuclear scientists.
Middle East Eye
7 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Israel and US modified F-35s to enable Iran attack without refuelling, sources say
The US and Israel altered Israel's F-35 warplanes to extend their range without the need for refuelling or compromising on stealth to help Israel's attack on Iran, Middle East Eye can reveal. The modification is secret, but two US officials speaking to MEE on condition of anonymity confirmed that Israel did not use mid-air refuelling during its Friday attack on Iran or land their warplanes for refuelling at any nearby countries. Instead, the US officials told MEE that Israel and the US modified the F-35's system to carry additional fuel that did not impact the F-35's stealth features. The Israeli designation for their version of the F-35s is called the F-35I Adir. The F-35 is the only long-range stealth fighter in the world, and its features make it difficult for radar or infrared sensors to track it. The scale of Israel's Friday attack and the surprise nature of it mean the improvement is a sea change for the F-35, the US officials told MEE. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The F-35s performance is going to be carefully studied by Middle Eastern countries looking to acquire them, as well as the US's foes, China and Russia. 'This is a game changer. Israel had our cooperation on this modification,' one US defence official told MEE, speaking on condition of anonymity. Both officials confirmed that Israel modified their F-35Is with US involvement. Exclusive: US quietly sent hundreds of Hellfire missiles to Israel before Iran attack Read More » One US official refused to share details on how the F-35 was altered to carry more fuel, but suggested an external feature was added. The second US official said that Israel attached external drop tanks to the F-35s. 'It's impressive. Period,' Richard Aboulafia, an aerospace expert at aerodynamic advisory told MEE when asked about the US officials' statements. Aboulafia said that the only option Israel had in place of not refuelling was to use drop tanks. 'The big challenge is devising the F-35s interface system with drop tanks that don't compromise stealth. Not only do you have to design the fixtures, but some sort of in-line modification has to be done. The Israelis, with our cooperation, I assume, practically did surgery on an existing jet to make this modification.' The F-35 has a publicly stated combat range of roughly 700 miles. The distance between Israel's Nevatim Airbase and Tehran is roughly 620 miles one way. If mid-air refuelling wasn't employed, then theoretically they could have used a US base in the Gulf or in Azerbaijan, but the officials MEE spoke to said land refuelling did not take place on any US bases in the region. Azerbaijan today said it would not allow its airspace or territory to be utilised for launching attacks on Iran or any other country, Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said in a call with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araqchi. Reports have emerged in recent years that Israel was working on such a project. In 2021, Israel's Walla news reported that the Israeli Air Force was working on a drop tank for the F-35I Adirs. The report at the time said Israel could finish the modification in two years. Adding a drop tank that carries extra fuel sounds easy, but it is extremely sensitive and difficult, US officials and experts say. The F-35 contains radar-absorbent materials and its entire engineering is designed to avoid detection. Any change to the body could compromise those features. One challenge noted by The Aviationist magazine in 2021 was that once the tank was dropped it could expose other parts of the aircraft to radar because the attachment points and fuel lines would not be covered by any Radar Absorbing Material (RAM). The US officials MEE spoke with refused to share details about the F-35s closely guarded engineering.
Economic Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
Has the stealthy F-35 met its match? Iran claims capture of Israeli pilots amid reports of third jet shoot-down
Iranian state media claim that Iranian air defences have successfully intercepted and downed three Israeli F-35I Adir stealth jets in the past 48 hours, including one in which a female pilot was allegedly captured after ejecting. The reports come on the heels of Israel's Operation Rising Lion, a multi-pronged air campaign involving F-35s, F-15s, and F-16s targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites. While no independent confirmation has surfaced, Iran's narrative continues to gain traction on state channels, even as Israeli authorities and global defence analysts strongly deny the to semi-official outlets IRNA and Press TV, Iranian air defences brought down a third Israeli F-35 stealth fighter in the early hours of Saturday. One pilot is reported to have died; another has allegedly been captured alive after ejecting. Iran has not released any visual proof, and military bloggers have questioned the authenticity of circulating images that purport to show the wreckage. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have dismissed the entire narrative as 'fabricated.' Colonel Avichay Adraee, IDF's Arabic-language spokesperson, said, 'This news being spread by Iranian media is completely baseless.'The F-35I Adir is Israel's customised variant of the US-made Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II—a fifth-generation multirole fighter jet developed under the Joint Strike Fighter programme. Designed for stealth, sensor fusion, and electronic warfare, the F-35 is considered one of the most advanced aircraft in the version integrates domestically developed modifications in five critical domains: command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I), as well as electronic warfare and weapons systems. These modifications allow the aircraft to carry out precision strikes in hostile environments and network seamlessly with IAF's legacy fighters. Capable of flying long distances without refuelling due to added external fuel tanks, the F-35I has demonstrated this in past operations, including a 1,700-kilometre round trip to Yemen. The aircraft costs approximately US$100 million per unit and is equipped with features like a radar cross-section of just 0.0015 square metres—roughly the size of a golf ball—making it nearly undetectable on conventional the F-35 is marketed for its low observability and electronic warfare dominance, the idea that it is untouchable is not without precedent. The only confirmed instance of a stealth aircraft being shot down remains the 1999 downing of a US F-117 Nighthawk during NATO's campaign in Yugoslavia. Using a Soviet-era S-125 missile system, Yugoslav forces managed to track and hit the jet despite its stealth more recent years, a near-miss involving a Houthi-fired missile and a US-operated F-35 during operations over Yemen also sparked debate about the limits of stealth. Even the most advanced aircraft may be vulnerable to increasingly networked, radar-guided missile systems that exploit predictable flight paths or operate using unconventional detection Iran's semi-official news outlets, including Tasnim and IRNA, stated that the F-35 jets were neutralised and one female pilot captured after she ejected into western Iran, the global defence community remains has categorically denied the reports.'This news being spread by Iranian media is completely baseless,' said Col. Avichay Adraee, spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). 'Fake Iranian media.'Despite the gravity of Iran's assertion, no visual confirmation has been released. Iranian media have not published footage of the pilot or the wreckage. Meanwhile, a widely shared image of the alleged F-35 remains unverified, with military analysts suggesting it may be news networks such as Sky News Arabia and Al Jazeera have also been unable to confirm Iran's claims. No satellite imagery or third-party monitoring group has supported Tehran's version of has not been able to independently verify these claims. On June 13, Israel reportedly launched Operation Rising Lion, involving F-35I Adirs, F-15s, and F-16s in a coordinated assault on Iranian military and nuclear facilities, including the Natanz enrichment complex. According to defence reports, the operation involved the use of missiles, drones, and sabotage operatives within Iran to neutralise radar sites and air defences ahead of the main strike. Following the attacks, Iran claimed at least 78 fatalities, including key members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and over 300 injuries. Tehran's retaliation has included ballistic missile launches and drone strikes, with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei vowing to 'bring ruin to the Zionist regime.' The possible loss of F-35I jets would be a significant setback for both the Israeli Air Force and Lockheed Martin. The aircraft's reputation as a near-invincible platform has been central to US and Israeli deterrence strategies in the region. Israel was the first country to use the F-35 in combat in 2018. The stealth jet has flown high-risk missions before—including a 1,700-kilometre strike against Houthi forces in Yemen last year—often without needing mid-air refuelling thanks to additional modifications. Some analysts believe Tehran's announcement may be aimed at domestic audiences, intended to showcase strength and resilience after a high-profile attack on its mourning ceremonies now underway in Iran for the 78 reported victims of Israel's Operation Rising Lion, the narrative of shooting down Israeli jets and capturing a pilot could serve to reinforce unity and contrast, Israel has continued its operations without indicating any loss of its aircraft fleet. The IDF maintains that all jets involved in the mission returned safely, and no pilot is missing.'Part of a disinformation campaign designed to save face after the heavy losses Iran suffered,' said the IDF Iran's claim holds up, it would not only dent Israeli confidence but could trigger a deeper revaluation of stealth doctrine across global visual or technical evidence, Iran's claims remain unverified. No foreign media, international watchdogs, or satellite imagery have supported Iran's version of events. Yet Tehran insists that its forces have not only repelled Israeli attacks but scored a world-first: the downing of multiple fifth-generation fighters in a single Iran's claims eventually be proven, it would not only mark the first combat loss of an F-35 worldwide but also deal a severe blow to Lockheed Martin and Israel's defence reputation. Until then, what remains clear is that both sides are now engaged not just in combat but in a high-stakes battle for narrative both sides continue to trade accusations, missiles, and counterclaims, the real-world impact of the current exchange is already visible. Israeli air raid sirens continue to wail. Civilians remain in bomb shelters. Iranian state media is filled with triumphant true test will come in the hours and days ahead—if independent confirmation emerges of the downed jets, and if the war spirals into further, deadlier now, one thing is clear: the myth of the invincible stealth fighter is under the harsh spotlight of war.
