Again Iran Shot Down Two US Military Jets-The war in the Middle East has taken a surprising turn recently. Even after a month of heavy airstrikes from the US and Israel, Iran is still fighting back. This shows that the Iranian military is still a very tough opponent.
In a rare event, Iran managed to shoot down two American military planes. This hasn’t happened in over twenty years. It is a big deal because many people thought Iran’s military was mostly destroyed.
President Donald Trump recently said that Iran’s power was almost gone. He told the public that their ability to use drones and missiles was very low. However, these new attacks show that Iran still has some dangerous tools left.
The Loss of the F-15 and A-10 Jets
On Friday, a US F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet was shot down over central Iran. This jet is one of the most advanced planes in the world. There were two people on board when it happened.
One crew member was rescued by American teams quickly. But the second person, a weapon systems officer, is still missing. A huge search is happening right now to find them.
At the same time, Iran claimed they hit a second plane. This was a US A-10 Warthog attack aircraft. This plane reportedly crashed in the Persian Gulf area. The pilot of the A-10 was luckily rescued from the water.
How Iran is Tracking US Planes
Many people are wondering how Iran did this. Most air defense systems use radar to find planes. But reports say Iran used a different method this time.
Iran used special sensors that look for heat. These are called infrared or thermal sensors. They act like a camera that sees the hot engine of a jet against the cold sky.
Because the US and Israel destroyed many of Iran’s radar stations, Iran had to change its plan. By using heat-seeking sensors, they don’t send out radio signals. This makes it harder for US pilots to know they are being watched.
The Majid Missile System
Iran has a new weapon called the Majid surface-to-air missile system. This system was first shown to the world in 2021. It is small and can be moved easily on the back of a truck.
The Majid system is designed to hit low-flying targets. This includes helicopters, drones, and slow-moving planes. It can see targets up to 15 kilometers away without using any radar.
Each missile can fly at very high speeds, nearly twice the speed of sound. This system can even track four different targets at the same time. It is a key part of how Iran is protecting its sky right now.
Why Hitting These Jets is Difficult
It is actually very hard to shoot down a modern fighter jet. These planes are very fast and can move in many directions. They also have special coatings that hide their heat from sensors.
US pilots also use “flares” to protect themselves. These are bright, hot lights they throw out of the plane. The goal is to trick a heat-seeking missile into hitting the flare instead of the jet.
For Iran to be successful, they likely had to wait for the perfect moment. This usually happens when a plane is flying low or the pilot is distracted. It shows that the Iranian soldiers are being very patient.
A Growing List of Downed Aircraft
This is not the first time Iran has claimed to hit US or Israeli equipment. Over the last month, many drones have also gone missing. This includes high-tech drones like the MQ-9 Reaper and the Hermes 900.
In early March, several Israeli drones were shot down over different provinces. By mid-March, a US Reaper drone was lost near Bandar Abbas. The list has grown almost every week since then.
On April 3 alone, the US lost both an F-15 and an A-10. This challenges the idea that the US has total control of the sky. It shows that flying over Iran is still very risky for any pilot.
The Scale of the Conflict
The US military has been very busy during this war. US Central Command said they have flown over 13,000 missions so far. They have hit more than 12,300 targets across Iran.
Despite these thousands of strikes, Iran’s air defense is still working in some areas. The war is now entering a very dangerous phase for everyone involved. Both sides are trying to prove they are stronger.
As the search for the missing airman continues, the world is waiting. People want to know if the situation will get worse or if a peace deal is possible. For now, the fighting remains very intense.
FAQs
How did Iran find the planes?
They used heat sensors instead of radar.
What happened to the F-15 crew?
One was rescued, and one is still missing.
Is the Majid system easy to move?
Yes, it is mounted on 4×4 tactical trucks.
What is a Warthog?
It is a nickname for the A-10 attack plane.
Are US drones also being hit?
Yes, several MQ-9 Reaper drones have been downed.