Iran has claimed a significant military achievement by shooting down a second United States F-35 fighter jet over central Iran, as reported by the Mehr news agency and cited by Reuters on Friday.

This incident occurs as the US-Israeli conflict with Iran approaches its sixth week, with Iranian forces stating that the pilot's survival is unlikely. No confirmation has yet emerged from the US Central Command (CENTCOM).

Earlier, on 2 March, CENTCOM acknowledged the loss of three US F-15E Strike Eagles during Operation Epic Fury over Kuwait, attributing it to a friendly fire mishap from Kuwaiti air defences amid intense combat involving Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones.

CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper, in a statement on 31 March, asserted that the operation was yielding undeniable progress after five weeks. He noted that Iran's navy remained docked, its aircraft grounded, and most air and missile defence systems destroyed.

On the same Friday, Iran launched missiles towards Israel, targeting Tel Aviv and the port city of Eilat, according to the Revolutionary Guards via broadcaster IRIB. Israel's military confirmed detecting the launches and activated defensive systems to intercept them.

Operation Epic Fury, initiated by CENTCOM on 28 February, aims to dismantle Iran's security apparatus, focusing on imminent threats. The US has deployed an extensive arsenal, including nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, submarines, guided-missile destroyers, and support vessels across key sea routes.

Aerial assets in the operation encompass B-1, B-2 stealth, and B-52 bombers, alongside fighter jets such as F-15s, F-16s, F-18s, F-22s, and F-35s. Additional platforms include A-10 attack jets, EA-18G and EC-130H electronic warfare aircraft, and E-2D airborne early warning systems.

Reconnaissance and support elements feature U-2 and RC-135 aircraft, E-11A communications planes, C-17 Globemaster and C-130J cargo aircraft, plus KC-135 and KC-46 refuelers. Helicopters like AH-64 Apaches and MH-60 Sea Hawks, V-22 Ospreys, MQ-9 drones, LUCAS one-way attack drones, and undisclosed special capabilities round out the force.

The downing of an F-35 represents a major development, given its status as one of the world's most advanced stealth fighters and a pillar of US air superiority. The programme has incurred costs of approximately $450 billion to date, with lifetime projections exceeding $2 trillion, as per US Government Accountability Office reports marred by delays and overruns.

Engineered for radar evasion, the F-35 penetrates heavily defended airspace. A confirmed hit would suggest adversaries like Iran have enhanced detection capabilities against such stealth technology.

Its sensor fusion integrates data from diverse sources into a unified battlefield display, enabling pilots to detect and engage threats pre-emptively. The jet also anchors network-centric warfare, relaying real-time intelligence across aircraft, ships, and ground units.

Key specifications include a 25 mm GAU-22/A cannon, two AIM-120C/D air-to-air missiles, and two GBU-31 JDAM bombs (around 907 kg each) in stealth configuration. It weighs about 31,750 kg, achieves Mach 1.6 (roughly 1,930 km/h), and uses an F135-PW-100 engine with maximum thrust of 178 kN and military thrust of 111 kN.

The aircraft boasts a combat radius exceeding 1,093 km on internal fuel (USAF profile) and a 9 g maximum rating, underscoring its agility in contested environments.

This purported second F-35 loss amplifies scrutiny on the jet's vulnerabilities, potentially reshaping perceptions of its 'un-killable' reputation amid escalating regional tensions.

(With Inputs From Reuters, AFP)