Israel upgraded its F-35 fighter jets with top secret technological and weapons systems to prepare for a strike in Iran.
The Israeli modifications included advanced munitions and sensors that remain highly classified, Walla News reported. The IDF’s F-35s can also be loaded with extra bombs inside the aircraft to enable attacks on more targets, the report said.
These and other measures significantly improved the ability of Israel’s F-35 squadrons to play a critical role in a large-scale assault on Iran.
The Israeli upgrades turned the cutting-edge stealth fighter into a “strike and intelligence collection monster,” defense officials familiar with its secret capabilities said. The report also confirmed that Israel is dramatically extending the jet’s operational range via new fuel tanks.
In parallel, Israel asked the US to approve additional access to the aircraft’s core avionics, according to military news website Breaking Defense. This would enable Israeli engineers to install even more unique systems in its F-35s, the report said.
The planned Israeli additions included new electronic warfare and communication systems, a senior Air Force officer told the website.
Notably, the IDF also acquired an F-35 test jet, the only one currently outside the US. This gives Israel the strategic ability to upgrade the plane independently, another high-ranking officer told Walla.
The IDF’s F-35 pilots already use made-in-Israel helmets packed with technology, including a “look and kill'” capability to guide missiles with head movements. Each helmet costs hundreds of thousands of dollars and is custom-made to ensure a perfect fit, the Israel Defense website reported.
Earlier reports indicated that Iran boosted its defenses around key sites, including the Fordow nuclear facility, for fear of an Israeli strike. However, experts have said that Tehran will struggle to block Israeli strikes on strategic Iranian sites.
