A US F-35 stealth fighter jet sustained damage during a mission over Iran. The advanced aircraft made an emergency landing at a Middle Eastern air base. The pilot is safe. This incident raises questions about the effectiveness of stealth technology against improving air defenses.

Iran has claimed that its air defence forces struck a US F-35 fighter jet inside its airspace, causing serious damage to the stealth aircraft. The IRGC says the attack followed the interception of more than 125 American and Israeli drones.

The Israel Defense Forces released video of an F-35I “Adir" stealth jet downing an Iranian Yak-130 over Tehran, calling it a historic first for the aircraft.

The F-35 will also serve as a test bed for technologies that will become commonplace in the next generation of jets. Flying in coordination with AI-enabled drones will become a staple of any sixth-generation fighter, and those new fighter tricks will likely first arrive in the form of the F-35.

A US F-35 fighter jet was hit by suspected Iranian fire, forcing it to make an emergency landing at an American air base in the Middle East. US Central Command said the fifth-generation stealth jet was "flying a combat mission over Iran" when it was struck by what is believed to be Iranian fire.

Targeting an American F-35 stealth fighter jet is a rare occurrence and this marks the first time in history that such an event has taken place.

Commercial satellite imagery shows that China's state-owned aviation company has dramatically expanded manufacturing facilities for military aircraft, including the fifth-generation J-20 fighter, with total fighter production capacity set to reach 300-400 units annually.

Recognising the global shift towards AI, stealth, and unmanned systems in warfare, India is considering joining either the UK-Italy-Japan-led GCAP or the France-Germany-led FCAS