Iran released footage of shooting down an F15E fighter jet, and the US pilot was in a desperate situation, constantly releasing countermeasures!
On March 5, the Iranian military released a video that claimed to show a MiG-29 locking on and shooting down an F15E. The footage shows the Iranian aircraft's electro-optical tracking system tightly following an F15E flying at low altitude, with the F15E's rear end emitting heat-seeking missiles (countermeasures) like fireworks, creating a rather embarrassing scene.
However, whether it was actually shot down is not recorded in the video. This is indeed an American-made F-15 series aircraft, most likely the F-15E used for ground attack missions. This is true, as the model characteristics match. However, there is no evidence of "downing," which raises a big question mark.
Looking closely at the entire video clip, you will find a very embarrassing fact: the video ends abruptly when the plane is wildly releasing countermeasures and continuing forward. Throughout the video, there is no moment of a missile tail flame approaching, nor is there any explosion scene showing the plane breaking apart or disintegrating. In modern air defense operations, electro-optical tracking is just the first step; lock-on, launch, and hit form a closed loop.
The video released by Iran only shows the "tracking" and "target response" stages, but the most critical "kill" stage is missing. In response to this accusation, the Pentagon reacted quickly and firmly: directly denying it. The U.S. stated that no F-15 aircraft was shot down in the relevant area. Considering the transparency of U.S. military deployments in the Middle East and the significant sensitivity of aircraft losses, if an F-15E were actually shot down, with the pilot killed or captured, it would be a seismic event in both diplomatic and military terms, making it difficult to keep completely under wraps. Current signs indicate that this is more likely a successful "self-defense evasion" demonstration, rather than a confirmed "victory."
Dao Ge thinks that Iran's release of this video has a very clear strategic intention: even if it didn't shoot down the plane, it aims to achieve psychological warfare effects by showcasing "I can lock you," "I can make you panic" scenes. Externally, it's to boost domestic morale and demonstrate air defense capabilities; internally and to allies, it's to send a deterrence signal - U.S. aircraft are not free to come and go, and Iran's air defense network is still effective. As for the United States, although the plane was saved, the video showing the opponent publicly "naming" it and demonstrating the evasive process is indeed passive in terms of publicity, giving the impression of being "chased."
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1858873806560332/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.