A US Air Force F-15 pilot who was shot down over Iran during Operation Epic Fury in April reported witnessing an unusual formation of Iranian drones flying in what he described as a “jellyfish” shape, according to a CNN report.
Following his rescue by US Special Forces, the pilot told intelligence officials during a debriefing that he observed several drones moving in a highly coordinated manner.
According to CNN, the drones appeared to be interconnected, with smaller drones positioned beneath larger ones, giving the formation the appearance of a jellyfish.
Another source familiar with the pilot’s account described the formation as resembling a “minefield of drones.”
It remains unclear whether the second crew member aboard the aircraft also witnessed the phenomenon.
US officials are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the downing of the F-15, the first reported case of Iran successfully shooting down an American fighter jet.
Preliminary assessments suggest that the drone formation may have played a role in the aircraft’s destruction.
The pilot was rescued several hours after ejecting from the aircraft, while the weapons systems officer reportedly evaded capture by hiding in mountainous terrain for more than a day before being extracted.
However, some intelligence officials have questioned the reliability of the pilot’s account, noting that he suffered a concussion during the crash.
Sources also revealed that the same pilot had previously survived another incident during Operation Epic Fury when his aircraft was mistakenly shot down in a friendly-fire episode involving Kuwaiti forces.
Despite these concerns, intelligence experts warn that if Iran possesses drones capable of maintaining coordinated formations while carrying explosives and adapting during combat, it could represent a significant advancement in drone warfare and pose a serious challenge to US military defenses.
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