Threat from Iran: RAF F-35B shoots down drone – a first for the stealth fighter in UK service
An RAF F-35B has marked an historic first by shooting down a drone – the first time the stealth jet has made such a kill on an enemy UAV in an active operation.
The incident happened in Jordanian airspace, where British F-35s have been working to defend the kingdom from attacks by Iran.
The jets were supported by RAF Typhoons and a Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft.
Footage released of the incident captures the moment the drone is hit by a missile.
The video, which was captured on a thermal camera, shows the stricken drone then head towards the ground.
While US F-35 Lightnings have taken down drones before, this was the first time a British Lightning had destroyed an enemy drone in combat.
The fifth-generation Lightning operates alongside the RAF's Typhoons.
It's a multi-role combat aircraft that can conduct the roles and missions of different aircraft types simultaneously.
This includes air-to-air – as witnessed by the shooting down of the drone – as well as air-to-surface and electronic warfare.
The F-35B's air-to-air weapons are the Meteor, AMRAAM and ASRAAM missiles.
Should the aircraft be deployed in a ground attack role, its air-to-surface weapons include the Paveway IV.
Typhoon in action too
A British counter-drone team also intercepted uncrewed aerial vehicles in Iraqi airspace that had been heading towards Coalition forces, protecting UK personnel operating in the area.
Separately, an RAF Typhoon shot down an Iranian one-way attack drone directed at Qatar, operating as part of 12 Squadron, the joint UK-Qatar squadron.
These operations form part of the UK's broader commitment to regional security and an active commitment to protect our personnel and allies.
Iranian jet also shot down
Meanwhile, the F-35 has apparently claimed a world first in Israeli hands.
Israel said one of its F-35I Adir jets – a customised version specific to Israel – shot down an Iranian jet.
The Israeli military said the shooting down of the Russian-supplied Yakovlev Yak-130 marked the stealth jet's first confirmed combat kill of a crewed aircraft.
The Yak-130 is a two-seat advanced jet trainer that can also be used in the light combat role. Iran is believed to have been operating eight of these aircraft.
The F-35I Adir takes its name from the Hebrew word meaning "strong" or "mighty".
It has a number of modifications specific to the IDF.
One of these is the addition of conformal fuel tanks to extend the aircraft's range without the need for in-flight refuelling.
Some of the tech systems have also been altered to allow the jet to carry Israeli weapons.
Related topics
Join Our Newsletter
