US F‑15 pilot reveals Iranian drone ‘jellyfish’ formation

The F‑15 crashed inside Iranian airspace in April. Both pilots ejected and were later rescued in a US special operation.

An American fighter pilot whose F‑15 jet was shot down during the war with Iran has described a striking drone formation that has unsettled US officials.

The pilot said that before the aircraft was hit, he saw dozens of Iranian drones arranged in what he called a “jellyfish” pattern. According to his account, one large drone flew above while countless smaller drones moved beneath it “like legs,” creating what he likened to a minefield in the sky.

The F‑15 crashed inside Iranian airspace in April. Both pilots ejected and were later rescued in a US special operation.

His testimony has raised alarm in Washington. Analysts said that if the pilot’s description proves accurate, it would demonstrate a significant advance in Iran’s drone capabilities. Experts believe Tehran has benefited from technical support from China and Russia in developing its unmanned systems.

The revelation has added to concerns about Iran’s evolving military technology, with US officials now assessing the implications of such drone tactics for future air operations.