Iran Hits $100-Million F-35 Lightning II: 1st Strike On ‘Invincible Core’ Of US Air Power Explained

Last Updated:March 20, 2026, 2:24 PM IST

The F-35 is the “backbone” of US and allied air power, costing over $100 million per unit. Why the first strike on a crewed Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II matters, explained

A strike on the US F-35 Lightning II matters because it challenges the long-held assumption that fifth-generation stealth technology is “invincible” in modern air combat. (News18 File/AI generated for representation)

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has claimed it has seriously damaged a US F-35 Lightning II. While the US confirmed an F-35 made an emergency landing after being hit, officials stated the aircraft landed safely and the pilot was safe.

Why the first reported instance of a crewed F-35 being hit by enemy fire matters, explained.

THE STRIKE

A video released by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is making rounds on the internet showing moments when it targeted a US F-35A/B Lightning II fighter jet using a surface-to-air missile over Iranian airspace.

According to an official statement, Iran hit and “seriously damaged” the aircraft at nearly 2:50 AM (local time). It also said that there’s a “high possibility” the aircraft might have crashed.

Capt. Tim Hawkins, spokesperson for US Central Command, said a US F-35 fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing while on a combat mission over Iran. The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is reported to be in stable condition. He added that the situation is currently under investigation, with officials working to determine the exact cause, according to a report by CNN.

WHAT IS US F-35 LIGHTNING II?

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a premier fifth-generation, single-engine stealth multirole fighter designed to maintain air dominance for the United States and its global allies. It is widely considered the most advanced combat aircraft ever built, serving as the “backbone” of modern air power, according to the website.

Its unique shape and radar-absorbent materials minimise its radar signature, allowing it to penetrate heavily defended airspace undetected. It integrates data from various onboard and off-board sensors into a single, comprehensive view for the pilot, providing unmatched situational awareness.

Often called the “quarterback of the skies”, it can share real-time tactical data with other aircraft, ground forces, and naval ships. Its features include a 360-degree Distributed Aperture System (DAS) for threat warning and an Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) for long-range identification, say reports.

WHY THE STRIKE IS A BIG DEAL

• This is the first reported instance of a crewed F-35 being hit by enemy fire. A strike on the US F-35 Lightning II matters because it challenges the long-held assumption that fifth-generation stealth technology is “invincible” in modern air combat.
• The F-35 is the “backbone” of US and allied air power, costing over $100 million per unit. If Iranian air defences successfully tracked and hit one, it suggests they may have developed or acquired technology capable of bypassing stealth radar evasion.
• The strike suggests potential advances in Iranian air defence technology capable of targeting, and perhaps tracking, stealth aircraft. The strike forces a reassessment of “Operation Epic Fury” tactics. If stealth aircraft can be targeted, they can no longer operate with “near impunity” deep inside heavily defended airspace. Reports suggest the use of passive infrared sensors to track the jet without emitting radar signals. A validated threat to stealth capability could force a reevaluation of air combat tactics.
• The F-35 program is the most expensive weapons program in history. A successful hit by a “decimated” adversary like Iran serves as a significant propaganda victory and undermines trust in Western military superiority.

HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO STRIKE US F-35 LIGHTNING II?

It is extremely difficult to strike an F-35 due to its layered defensive features:

Stealth Design: It uses radar-absorbent materials and a unique shape to reduce its Radar Cross Section (RCS) to roughly the size of a golf ball or a small bird. This allows it to stay hidden from most long-range radars.

Sensor Fusion: The jet merges data from its radar, infrared cameras, and satellites into a single view, allowing the pilot to “see first and shoot first” before the enemy even knows they are there.

Electronic Warfare: It can actively jam and deceive enemy radar systems, making it hard for missiles to maintain a “lock” even if the plane is detected.

Experts note that stealth primarily defeats X-band (targeting) radars. Low-frequency radars (VHF/UHF) can sometimes “detect” a stealth jet’s general presence, even if they can’t get a precise “weapons lock” to fire a missile.

The incident suggests Iran may have exploited these gaps or used road-mobile air defence systems that are harder for the US to locate and destroy.

KEY FAQS

Why does the strike matter so much?

Because the F‑35 Lightning II is one of the most advanced and stealthy fighter jets in the world, designed to avoid enemy detection and fire — and if Iran’s claim is true, it would be the first time an operational F‑35 has been struck in combat.

Did the jet crash?

No, US officials say the F‑35 made an emergency landing at a US base in the Middle East and the pilot is safe, although the aircraft may have been damaged.

Why does it matter strategically?

A strike — even if not catastrophic — raises questions about the vulnerability of stealth jets in contested airspace and could influence military tactics, defence planning, and the broader US-Iran tensions.

With agency inputs

Read More