In a dazzling display of aerial gymnastics, a U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor stealth fighter outmaneuvered Iranian F-4 Phantoms during a tense standoff over international airspace in 2013. This incident underlines the continued friction between the U.S. and Iran as the Iranian jets tried to engage a U.S. MQ-1 Predator drone.
This military confrontation has a history dating back to November 2012, when two Iranian Su-25s made an unsuccessful attempt to shoot down a U.S. MQ-1 Predator drone. This drone was flying legally just 16 miles from the Iranian border and escaped virtually unharmed. It was an incident that led the U.S. to re-examine the policy regarding the escorting of drones. One year on and oblivious to any new precautions, the Iranian regime sent F-4 Phantoms to intercept a further MQ-1.
The F-22 Raptor supporting the drone was flying below them so surreptitiously that they could not see it with their naked eyes. Now, with only some scratches in the clear spring sky, it was there and its pilot was silently hunting the Iranian pilots from his position several miles away below. The Raptor’s pilot guided his stealth aircraft under the F-4s to assess their weapons load without being seen.
“The F-22 Raptor is a technological marvel,” said the defense expert, pointing to its stealth, supercruise, supermaneuverability, and sensor fusion. These combine into the world’s preeminent air superiority fighter, miles beyond the aged F-4 Phantoms.
Then a workhorse of an airframe, the F-4, was not designed for dogfighting, hence adverse yaw in tight turns. The F-22 integrates advanced software and sensor fusion to establish a comprehensive tactical picture, which makes the aircraft much more capable in aerial combat.
After assessing the payloads of the F-4, the Raptor pilot showed his presence by pulling up alongside the Iranian jets and advising them to retreat. The surprised Iranian pilots took the advice and withdrew from the area.
This incident is indicative of the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, particularly amid nuclear negotiations. While the world is watching, the hope remains that such encounters can be avoided in the future.