Iran detected and damaged a US F-35 stealth jet in combat. Chinese experts map out how

2026.03.20 14:50 An F-35A Lightning II takes off from an undisclosed location in support of Operation Epic Fury, the US-Israeli military campaign against Iraq. Photo: AFP The first known combat damage to an F-35 fifth-generation fighter aircraft from a likely Iranian attack suggests that stealth jets can be detected by electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor systems, according to Chinese analysts. US Central Command reported that the stealth fighter was forced to make an emergency landing during a combat mission over Iran on Thursday. “We are aware of reports that a US F-35 aircraft conducted an emergency landing at a regional US airbase after flying a combat mission over Iran,” spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins said in a statement. “The aircraft landed safely, and the pilot is in stable condition. This incident is under investigation.” While the exact details and timeline are unconfirmed, the incident may mark the first time Iran has damaged a US fighter jet since joint US-Israeli air strikes triggered the war on February 28. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also issued a separate statement saying it targeted a US aircraft over central Iran. An F-35 makes an emergency landing after allegedly being hit by an Iranian missile. Photo: Handout The F-35 is a top-tier, fifth-generation multi-role fighter developed by Lockheed Martin. It features extreme stealth with a very low radar cross-section due to its specialised design, internal weapons bays and radar-absorbent materials. While not invisible, the jet is highly optimised for low observability – typically 20 to 100 times stealthier than non-stealth jets like the French-made Rafale – enabling operations in heavily contested airspace. The F-35 is operated by 20 countries, mostly US allies including Israel, and is designed for stealth strikes, intelligence gathering and network-centric warfare. Yue Gang, a retired People’s Liberation Army (PLA) colonel and noted commentator, said that the F-35 in question might have

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