U.S. F-35C Stealth Fighter Shoots Down Iranian Drone in Arabian Sea

Washington: A U.S. F-35C stealth fighter jet intercepted and destroyed an Iranian drone approaching the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea, the U.S. military confirmed. Captain Tim Hawkins, spokesperson for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), stated, “An F-35C fighter from the Abraham Lincoln took defensive action to neutralize the Iranian drone.” The carrier is deployed in the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran.

The F-35C: America’s Most Advanced Carrier-Based Fighter
The F-35C is the only variant of the Joint Strike Fighter designed for catapult launches and arrested landings on nuclear-powered supercarriers. With a flight range of 1,200 nautical miles, it can carry substantial internal and external weapon loads, making it highly effective for long-range operations over open oceans. Its stealth capabilities allow it to evade enemy radar, enabling precise strikes, as demonstrated in the recent engagement with the Iranian drone.

Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9), deployed on the USS Abraham Lincoln, includes eight squadrons operating F-35C Lightning IIs, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, E-2D Hawkeyes, CMV-22B Ospreys, and MH-60R/S Sea Hawks. Notably, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314, the “Black Knights,” forms the Marine Corps’ first operational F-35C squadron and is specially upgraded to launch the aircraft from the carrier.

Why the F-35C Is Lethal
Among the three F-35 variants, the F-35C is specifically designed for carrier operations:

• F-35A: Conventional takeoff and landing for the U.S. Air Force and allied nations.
• F-35B: Short takeoff/vertical landing, operated from amphibious assault ships by the Marine Corps.
• F-35C: Carrier-capable variant with larger wings, reinforced landing gear, foldable wingtips, and the longest range.

The F-35C can carry over 5,000 pounds of internal weapons or more than 18,000 pounds combining internal and external payloads. It can switch between stealth and non-stealth modes and is also designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, sharing data seamlessly with networked land, sea, and air assets.

The recent engagement underscores the F-35C’s strategic value for the U.S. Navy, offering unmatched precision, stealth, and operational flexibility in high-threat environments.