Israeli triumph in the skies: F‑35I intercepts a maneuverable missile

An F-35I Adir fighter aircraft from Israel's 140th Squadron successfully intercepted a maneuverable missile from Yemen. According to a report by The Aviationist, Israel's air defenses detected and tracked the missile before the F-35I interceptor intervened. This feat could constitute the "first destruction of a maneuverable missile by a 5th generation fighter".

The missile was likely intercepted on October 31, Eastern Time. The Israeli Defense Forces have disclosed few details about the incident. A statement they released via platform X stated that the missile was launched from the southeast and was heading toward Israel when it was intercepted by the versatile F-35 fighter. It's speculated by service Zbiam that the missile could be from the Quds family.

Israel currently possesses nearly 40 F-35 fighters, a number expected to increase to 50 by the end of 2024. These aircraft are uniquely configured as F-35I Adir, a variant not available to any other country in the world. Israel exclusively possesses this unique version of the American F-35 fighter, though its exact specifications remain undisclosed. A portion of the F-35I's avionics are not provided by the American manufacturer, but by the Israeli firm Elbit, specifically with navigation, communication, and electronic warfare systems.

The Israeli Defense Forces have not specified the weapon deployed to eliminate the maneuvering missile. However, the Israeli F-35I Adir is armed with AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air guided missiles, as well as AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range air-to-air guided missiles with active radar guidance systems. As a result, it is highly likely one of these was used.

According to British military data analysts, Janes, Israel is in the process of integrating their own missiles with F-35I fighters. Examples include the air-to-air Python 5 missiles, which are believed to still be under development. It's noteworthy to mention that following the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Israeli authorities have expedited the utilization of several weapons planned initially for future deployment. This includes the deployment of the Iron Beam air defense laser system.