Warning flare fired at Iranian jet trailing U.S. Predator

[The King]

The Iranian Air force is largely equipped with Shah of Iran/Jimmy Carter era hardware. Fitting that our current POTUS, a Jimmy Carter redux himself, also gets to experience the myriad capabilities posed by the mighty Iranian Air Force.

[Downs]

F-4s were sold all over the world so it's probably not to hard to acquire parts though other means than from the US.

[inline 6]

There are probably 5-7 parts planes that they cannibalize per 1 serviceable aircraft.

[Trip McNeely]

Even Arnold Schwarzennegger knows how to fly them.

[Forever_frost]

I thought that was a Harrier.

[motoman]

I thought that was a Harrier.

It is.

[Trip McNeely]

Oh fuck you're right. F4 is the Phantom. Carry on.

[bottlerocket]

What the hell is a warning flare? Lol

F4 is one of the most capable jet fighters the US military ever flew...it served in all branches in various roles and was still being used into the 90's...just because its old doesn't mean its not capable in certain roles.

Not very capable really. Relied too heavily on missiles (which were all but worthless back then) and would get its ass kicked in a turning fight by any knowledgeable pilot in the MiGs of the era. It was good mostly as a bomber.

[sc281]

What the hell is a warning flare? Lol

The drone pilot probably popped flares after a weapons lock, and some unknowledgeable reporter took it as a warning shot.

[big_tiger]

It's the foxbody of jets.

God bless.

I lol'd

[stevo]

What the hell is a warning flare? Lol

The drone pilot probably popped flares after a weapons lock, and some unknowledgeable reporter took it as a warning shot.

Two American fighter jets were escorting the Predator and fired the flare as a warning, ending the situation

The US fighter escort popped the flare, I assume one did it in in front of the Iranian F4 while another was behind him to give him an "oh shit" moment.

Stevo

[Ruffdaddy]

So do drones typically have escorts?

[stevo]

Considering the area of operations is so narrow, I'd assume that any US fighter/interceptor in the area could become an 'escort' in a matter of minutes, if not seconds.

Stevo