US’ prized possession: Did Iran just expose chinks in F-35’s armour?

Team TOI PlusTIMESOFINDIA.COM
Mar 23, 2026 | 14:56 IST

An American F-35 stealth fighter was struck by suspected Iranian fire recently, casting doubt on the capabilities of what is widely regarded as the world’s most advanced fighter jet. Here’s what we know so far

The F-35 Lightning II, described by its manufacturer Lockheed Martin as “the most lethal, survivable, and connected fighter aircraft for America and its allies,” is designed to seamlessly integrate operations across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains, delivering a decisive battlefield advantage.

Yet a recent combat incident has cast doubt on the capabilities of what is widely regarded as the world’s most advanced fighter jet. Renowned for its extremely low observability — often rendering it nearly invisible to enemy radar — the F-35 has long been seen as a cornerstone of modern airpower.
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