IRIAF F-4 Phantom fails to intercept Predator UAV

[SajeevJino]

Iranian F-4 Phantom jets fail to intercept U.S. Predator off Iran. Once again. Scared by F-22 escort? ​

According to a statement by Pentagon Press Secretary George Little, on Mar. 12, an IRIAF (Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force) combat plane attempted to intercept a U.S. MQ-1 drone flying in international airspace.

As happened on Nov. 1, 2012, when two Sukhoi Su-25 attack planes operated by the Pasdaran (informal name of the IRGC – the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution) attempted to shoot down an American MQ-1 flying a routine surveillance flight in international airspace some 16 miles off Iran, the interception of the unmanned aircraft failed.

Interestingly, the last close encounter was unsuccessful because the fighter jets scrambled to intercept the unarmed U.S. drone were discouraged from accomplishing the mission: at least one of the two F-4 Phantom jets came to about 16 miles from the UAV but broke off pursuit after they were broadcast a warning message by two American planes escorting the Predator.

Clearly, following last year's close encounter the Pentagon has decided to escort the drones involved in intelligence gathering missions with fighter jets (either F-18 Hornets with the CVW 9 embarked on the USS John C. Stennis whose Carrier Strike Group is currently in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility or F-22 Raptors like those deployed to the UAE).

Although dispatching fighter jets to escort drones makes them less vulnerable, it makes also the UAV more visible. Unless the fighter jets providing HVAAE (High Value Air Asset Escort) are F-22 stealth fighters.

The Aviationist » Iranian F-4 Phantom jets fail to intercept U.S. Predator off Iran. Once again. Scared by F-22 escort?

 

[Sam2012]

Re: IRIAF F-4 Phantom intercept Predator UAV

Iranian F-4 Phantom jets fail to intercept U.S. Predator off Iran. Once again. Scared by F-22 escort? ​

According to a statement by Pentagon Press Secretary George Little, on Mar. 12, an IRIAF (Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force) combat plane attempted to intercept a U.S. MQ-1 drone flying in international airspace.

As happened on Nov. 1, 2012, when two Sukhoi Su-25 attack planes operated by the Pasdaran (informal name of the IRGC – the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution) attempted to shoot down an American MQ-1 flying a routine surveillance flight in international airspace some 16 miles off Iran, the interception of the unmanned aircraft failed.

Interestingly, the last close encounter was unsuccessful because the fighter jets scrambled to intercept the unarmed U.S. drone were discouraged from accomplishing the mission: at least one of the two F-4 Phantom jets came to about 16 miles from the UAV but broke off pursuit after they were broadcast a warning message by two American planes escorting the Predator.

Clearly, following last year's close encounter the Pentagon has decided to escort the drones involved in intelligence gathering missions with fighter jets (either F-18 Hornets with the CVW 9 embarked on the USS John C. Stennis whose Carrier Strike Group is currently in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility or F-22 Raptors like those deployed to the UAE).

Although dispatching fighter jets to escort drones makes them less vulnerable, it makes also the UAV more visible. Unless the fighter jets providing HVAAE (High Value Air Asset Escort) are F-22 stealth fighters.

The Aviationist » Iranian F-4 Phantom jets fail to intercept U.S. Predator off Iran. Once again. Scared by F-22 escort?

UAV escorted by World's number -1 5th generation fighter aircraft F-22 what an idea sirji

Even the mission was called off , i salute the courage of iranians intercepting using Su-25 & F-4 both 3 or 3+ generation aircrafts & US used 4++ generation & 5th generation to ward of them from shooting down predator which itself is tech marvel

 

[SajeevJino]

Re: IRIAF F-4 Phantom intercept Predator UAV

UAV escorted by World's number -1 5th generation fighter aircraft F-22 what an idea sirji

Even the mission was called off , i salute the courage of iranians intercepting using Su-25 & F-4 both 3 or 3+ generation aircrafts & US used 4++ generation & 5th generation to ward of them from shooting down predator which itself is tech marvel

as per missions value don't worry about who's escorted...Last times they get shot by IRAF now they need escort to fly over enemy territory

 

[Maharana]

CNN Video -

[video]http://edition.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_t3#/video/world/2013/03/14/tsr-dnt-starr-iran-confronts-us-drone.cnn[/video]

 

[lookieloo]

CNN Video -

[video]http://edition.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_t3#/video/world/2013/03/14/tsr-dnt-starr-iran-confronts-us-drone.cnn[/video]

"I can see you Reza. Can you see me?"

 

[Maharana]

"I can see you Reza. Can you see me?"

OT

I'm sorry but what was that..?

 

[lookieloo]

OT

I'm sorry but what was that..?

Sorry, it was a joke. I forget that many here are ESL. The earlier story mentioned a verbal warning, the possibility of F-22s in the area, and Reza is a common Persian name.

 

[drkrn]

Re: IRIAF F-4 Phantom intercept Predator UAV

as per missions value don't worry about who's escorted...Last times they get shot by IRAF now they need escort to fly over enemy territory

why to send f22 on escort,cant it perform reconnaissance??

 

[SajeevJino]

Re: IRIAF F-4 Phantom intercept Predator UAV

why to send f22 on escort,cant it perform reconnaissance??

F 22 Can does anything at all weather

 

[W.G.Ewald]

Begs the question if an F-4 can shoot down a Predator in an "engagement" between just those two aircraft. Specifically, can AGM-65 Maverick and AIM-9 Sidewinde rmissiles be locked on to a drone?