this post was submitted on 18 May 2025
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The Houthis Almost Shot Down an F-35—and Washington Is Panicked (nationalinterest.org)
submitted 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) by geneva_convenience@lemmy.ml to c/worldnews@lemmy.ml
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According to new reporting from the New York Times, a Houthi surface-to-air (SAM) missile barely missed an American F-35 fifth-generation fighter, the crown jewel of the U.S. fighter inventory. The F-35, participating in Operation Rough Rider against the Houthis, was forced to take evasive action to avoid the missile.

The incident raises questions about the survivability of one of America’s most advanced fighters, and raises concerns over how effective the relatively unsophisticated Houthi air defense system has been at hampering U.S. action.

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[–] frostysauce@lemmy.world 24 points 2 days ago (4 children)

The F-35, participating in Operation Rough Rider against the Houthis, was forced to take evasive action to avoid the missile.

So, they had to, like, dodge a missile? And that is panic worthy?

[–] OurToothbrush@lemmy.ml 12 points 2 days ago

It had to rely on a last resort as opposed to its primary defensive system which constricts its design in a big way, its stealth component.

[–] geneva_convenience@lemmy.ml 34 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Supposedly the F35 should never have been seen or detected in the first place.

The fact that a missile was tracking it and they had to dodge it means that these stealth capabilities are lacking.

[–] KeenFlame@feddit.nu 6 points 2 days ago

What? They can see and hear our blaringly loud war bird spewing kilotonnes of hellfire over their heads? But we paid a gogol of dinaros so it would be invisible!

[–] ipkpjersi@lemmy.ml 16 points 2 days ago

It's a stealth plane apparently, so I guess it wasn't supposed to be seen, but they saw it.

[–] WanderingVentra@lemm.ee 18 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I heard it's supposed to be super stealthy and really smart, so I guess they didn't expect to even have to do that lol. Otherwise, we could spend less money and use the older less stealthy and technologically advanced jets.

[–] Modern_medicine_isnt@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago

Enter Maverick, ready to fly the old jets.