An American stealth fighter was forced to land at a base in the Middle East after being struck by what the military believed was Iranian fire.

A US F-35 stealth fighter jet sustained damage during a mission over Iran. The advanced aircraft made an emergency landing at a Middle Eastern air base. The pilot is safe. This incident raises questions about the effectiveness of stealth technology against improving air defenses.

Iran’s IRGC claims it struck a US F-35 over its territory, releasing video footage to support the allegation, though the US says the jet landed safely.

The F-35 will also serve as a test bed for technologies that will become commonplace in the next generation of jets. Flying in coordination with AI-enabled drones will become a staple of any sixth-generation fighter, and those new fighter tricks will likely first arrive in the form of the F-35.

In its decades of service, this U.S. fighter jet has never lost, and yet three were just shot down. Details are still murky, but here's what we know so far.

The Gerald R. Ford International Airport said the jet touched down and took off on Sunday as part of training.

The carrier, America's newest and the world's largest, is currently located in the Red Sea. It is expected to temporarily go to Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete, the two officials said.

Spectators at RAF Lakenheath witness a breathtaking fighter jet launch followed by an incredibly low flyby that shakes the airfield. The jet rockets upward in a rapid climb, demonstrating the raw power and speed of modern military aircraft in a dramatic display.