February 02, 2026
F-35: US Air Force Adopts Israeli Modifications
Die US-Luftwaffe wird viele der Änderungen übernehmen, die die israelische Luftwaffe an ihrer F-35 vorgenommen hat. Diese Änderungen
defence-network.com
The US Air Force will adopt many of the modifications made by the Israeli Air Force to its F-35s. These modifications enabled the attack on Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025.
The unique modifications to the Israeli F-35I "Adir" were crucial in making the long-range, heavily defended attacks on Iranian nuclear sites such as Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan in June 2025 feasible and survivable. Israel implemented extended-range solutions that allowed the F-35I to conduct attacks at a distance of approximately 1,500 km from Israel, while simultaneously reducing its reliance on its small, vulnerable tanker fleet.
These unique modifications to the Israeli F-35I "Adir" were crucial in making the long-range, heavily defended attacks on Iranian nuclear sites such as Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan in June 2025 feasible and survivable. Israeli sources were only willing to say that the F-35s operated by the Israeli Air Force (IAF) carry more fuel "in special tanks." This applies to the non-stealth phase of flight. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has developed special fuel tanks for various types of combat aircraft.
In recent tests, the special F-35 test aircraft was equipped with a highly accurate 1,000 kg bomb manufactured in Israel. This bomb was specifically designed for the F-35's weapons bay. It is described as having "super-penetration power." Further details were not disclosed, but one of the smart bombs from the Israeli company Rafael is the Spice 2000, an add-on kit for, among others, 900 kg warheads such as the MK-84, BLU-109, and RAP-2000. It can be assumed that the new bomb is based on the experience gained with this bomb. In recent tests, this unique bomb, developed for the IAF's F-35, achieved a CEP of 3 meters.
The F-35 test aircraft operated by the IAF's Main Test Department has also been equipped with systems that allow it to fly and launch weapons systems in areas saturated with electronic warfare.
F-35: IAI's Modern Anti-Jammer System Integrated
The GPS jamming incidents of recent years, perpetrated by Russian forces in Syria, have accelerated the development of systems designed to make Israeli military systems immune to such jamming. Some are already operational, while others are still being tested. Analyzing the Russian GPS jamming systems used in Syria, Israel has taken measures to be better prepared for more aggressive GPS jamming. The proliferation of Russian GPS jamming systems in the Middle East has accelerated the process of equipping Israeli Air Force aircraft with anti-jamming systems.
In 2021, the IAF announced the integration of an advanced anti-jam system developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) into the modern platforms of its various squadrons. The system, the ADA Anti-Jam GPS System, is designed to protect GPS/GNSS navigation from interference.
According to IAI, the system has been integrated into advanced IAF platforms, including F-16 fighter jets and various types of UAVs. The ADA system has proven its operational capability and is used by a number of international customers on various air, land, and sea platforms.
According to Israeli sources, the F-35I's advanced electronic warfare (EW) systems and countermeasures integration systems, developed by Israel, were specifically designed to neutralize or weaken radar systems and surface-to-air missiles during the June 2025 operation. This allowed the F-35I to operate in heavily defended airspace beyond the capabilities of the basic F-35A version.
During the attacks, the F-35Is conducted intensive SEAD (Search and Attack Defence) missions, disabling key air defense radars and S-300 components to open corridors for large-scale follow-up attacks by F-15 and F-16 aircraft. The Israeli F-35Is are equipped with domestically developed precision-guided munitions and targeting software, enhancing accuracy against hardened and underground installations such as Natanz and Khondab.
Israel has transformed the F-35I into a central sensor and command-and-control (C4I) hub: Thanks to enhanced data acquisition, processing, and advanced data links, each aircraft could aggregate information and share targets in real time with other combat aircraft, ISR resources, and ground networks.
During Operation Rising Lion, this meant that F-35I aircraft could stealthily map Iranian air defense systems and targets, then relay precise coordinates and threat data to non-stealth aircraft, significantly increasing the effectiveness of the approximately 200-aircraft strike force.
Israel's ability to control the F-35I's software and integrate its own application stacks and electronic warfare libraries enabled the IAF to rapidly adapt threat databases and tactics specifically for Iranian radar systems and SAMs without having to wait for baseline updates from the United States.
/END
@Innominate 
):
you can do better. Or not.
www.twz.com
