More
    HomeMilitaryA decade ago Covert Guardians: F-22 Raptors’ Stealth Mission Escorting Against Iranian...

    A decade ago Covert Guardians: F-22 Raptors’ Stealth Mission Escorting Against Iranian F-4s

    Published on

    spot_img
    F-22 Raptor Jet Airplane flying at 2015 Planes of Fame Air Show in Chino, California
    F-22 Raptor Jet Airplane flying at 2015 Planes of Fame Air Show in Chino, California

    A decade ago, an incident that could have been lifted straight out of a Cold War spy novel unfolded in the skies when a U.S. Air Force MQ-1 Predator drone found itself under the unexpected guardianship of an F-22 Raptor against Iranian F-4 Phantom IIs.

    F-22 Raptor Demo Team
    F-22 Raptor Demo Team

    This aerial encounter, which occurred in the aftermath of an unsuccessful attempt by Iranian Sukhoi Su-25s to down another Predator, illustrates a stark mismatch in aerial warfare capabilities and underscores the stealthy prowess of the Raptor.

    F-22 Raptor Demo Team
    F-22 Raptor Demo Team

    The episode began with a seemingly routine surveillance mission by the MQ-1 Predator drone. What the Iranian pilots did not anticipate as they set out in their antiquated F-4 Phantoms—a fighter with roots in the 1960s—was the stealth escort provided by not one, but two F-22 Raptors.

    Singapore - Feb 10, 2018. Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor aircraft belong to the US Air Force sits on display in Changi, Singapore.
    Singapore – Feb 10, 2018. Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor aircraft belong to the US Air Force sits on display in Changi, Singapore.

    The Raptors, operating undetected, escorted the Predator and positioned themselves advantageously against the Iranian aircraft, which were hopelessly outclassed both technologically and strategically.

    Jet Stealth Fighter F-22 Raptor flying at 2015 Planes of Fame Air Show
    Jet Stealth Fighter F-22 Raptor flying at 2015 Planes of Fame Air Show

    In a move akin to a scene from “Top Gun,” a Raptor performed a maneuver displaying not only its stealth but also its pilot’s boldness.

    Airplanes at 2015 Planes of Fame Air Show in Chino, California
    Airplanes at 2015 Planes of Fame Air Show in Chino, California

    The F-4s were outmatched – according to most reports of this event, the Iranians seemed completely unaware of the fifth-generation fighters’ presence.

    KONYA, TURKIYE - MAY 09, 2023: Turkish Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II (5009) landing to Konya Airport during Anatolian Eagle Air Force Exercise
    KONYA, TURKIYE – MAY 09, 2023: Turkish Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II (5009) landing to Konya Airport during Anatolian Eagle Air Force Exercise

    One Raptor even passed beneath the Iranian aircraft, identified the armament of the F-4, then ascended beside its left wing to assert its presence, transmitting to the Iranians, “You really should head home.”

    McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II fighter jet plane
    McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II fighter jet plane

    This brief radio exchange highlighted the undeniable superiority of the F-22, As previously reported by The National Interest’s Eli Fuhrman, “The incident demonstrates the impressive stealth characteristics of the Raptor, which was able to approach the two Iranian fighters undetected and scout out their arsenals, before scaring them off.”

    KONYA, TURKIYE - JUNE 30, 2022: Turkish Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-4E-2020 Terminator (4576) displayed at Konya Airport during Anatolian Eagle Air Force Exercise
    KONYA, TURKIYE – JUNE 30, 2022: Turkish Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-4E-2020 Terminator (4576) displayed at Konya Airport during Anatolian Eagle Air Force Exercise

    Despite only having 186 operational F-22 airframes, as reported by Harrison Kass, the Raptors continue to dominate the skies, drawing comparisons to their counterparts.

    McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II fighter jet plane
    McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II fighter jet plane

    For instance, the F-35 Lightning II, while technologically advanced and versatile in its own right, was never intended to be a dogfighting powerhouse like the F-22.

    F35 of US Air Force
    F35 of US Air Force

    As former Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark Welsh once articulated, the F-22 was designed for air superiority, while the F-35 was envisioned as a multipurpose, data-integration platform. The F-22 surpasses the F-35 in speed – MACH 2.2 compared to MACH 1.6 for the Lightning II.

    F-35 Lightning II in Leuwardeen
    F-35 Lightning II in Leuwardeen

    Although 30 percent heavier, the F-22 could be more agile thanks to its Pratt & Whitney F119 engines offering greater thrust (70,000 pounds) than the sole Pratt & Whitney F-135 engine on the F-35.

    F35 of US Air Force
    F35 of US Air Force

    The thrust vectoring of the F119 engine might further enhance the Raptor’s advantage in aerial battles with a superior thrust-to-weight ratio. Iran’s reliance on the F-4 Phantom, an aircraft first introduced during the Cold War, is emblematic of a broader issue within its air force—its inventory’s outdated nature.

    Oshkosh, Wisconsin USA - July 30th, 2022: USA Military Aircraft Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.
    Oshkosh, Wisconsin USA – July 30th, 2022: USA Military Aircraft Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.

    Despite efforts to enhance these aging platforms with domestic upgrades like the Qased 900kg electro-optic guided smart bombs, they simply cannot match next-generation counterparts.

    Joint Base Andrews Air Show 2015
    Joint Base Andrews Air Show 2015

    The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) aptly notes the Phantom’s primary role as an attack aircraft, even as it is outstripped by modern air defenses.

    Latest articles

    F-15 Eagle’s Dominance: The Untold Story of Its First Combat Triumph

    In the annals of military aviation history, few aircraft have earned a reputation quite...

    Uncovering WWII Bombs: Germany’s Continuing Battle with Hidden Threats

    Every year, German land produces a chilling crop: roughly 2,000 tons of unexploded World...

    Clacton Spear Discovery Reshapes Early Hominid Hunting and Cognition Understanding

    The recent focus on the Clacton Spear, an old wooden object discovered in Clacton-on-Sea,...

    FN Five-seveN MRD: A New Era in Precision Handguns

    The FN Five-seveN has stood out in the modern firearms landscape for years, known...

    More like this

    F-15 Eagle’s Dominance: The Untold Story of Its First Combat Triumph

    In the annals of military aviation history, few aircraft have earned a reputation quite...

    Uncovering WWII Bombs: Germany’s Continuing Battle with Hidden Threats

    Every year, German land produces a chilling crop: roughly 2,000 tons of unexploded World...

    Clacton Spear Discovery Reshapes Early Hominid Hunting and Cognition Understanding

    The recent focus on the Clacton Spear, an old wooden object discovered in Clacton-on-Sea,...