Israeli air force strikes down drone

[GScholz]

Nor is the single tail of an F-16I visible. I think it is other charateristics that become important. For anyone who has engaged in ID training programs you know how easy it is for people to misidentify very simple things. The easy answer is 'it's in F-16I' because that is what the Israelis fly and it fits the overall description. From the first time I saw the plane zoom by to the last I remain unconvinced.

It should be noted that the US and Israel have worked very closely on these types of programs. Not only drones but Aegis, CCWIS, Arrow, ABM, SM-3, etc. It is not out of the question that there may be US Hornets in the area. Maybe this was training, maybe it was live. It would not be the first time the US and Israel have collaborated on a program that they would deny publicly forever.

I'm stubborn but...

Boo

The video was released by the IAF claiming it's an F-16. Even if, big if, it's a false flag op, why would they use footage of a non-Israeli jet when it would cost them pocket change to up a genuine F-16i and shoot down a target drone just for show? Occam's razor.

As for the economic debate going on, that's just silly; Israel has a huge defense budget and Rafael produces thousands of missiles each year. This would be the fourth drone they've shot down in six years...

[MrRiplEy[H]]

The video was released by the IAF claiming it's an F-16. Even if, big if, it's a false flag op, why would they use footage of a non-Israeli jet when it would cost them pocket change to up a genuine F-16i and shoot down a target drone just for show? Occam's razor.

Yep, why would Nokia use a DSLR to shoot sample pictures for adverts when they could have used their own quality camera instead...

[GScholz]

Because they don't have a quality camera. Silly comparison.

[cut67]

That is an F18 just look at its tail and compare to another photo, the tail end where the jets are is bigger than an f16

[coombz]

Because they don't have a quality camera. Silly comparison.

nokia actually have very good quality cameras on some of their phones

[leitwolf]

I hope folks who claim it's not an F-16 don't operate anything that could shoot down planes

[bozon]

It is not out of the question that there may be US Hornets in the area. Maybe this was training, maybe it was live. It would not be the first time the US and Israel have collaborated on a program that they would deny publicly forever.

It is out of the question. There are no F-18s currently in Israel. Israel is a very small country, they have nowhere to hide. When F-18s are there, everybody knows that they are there. On top of that, no way I hell will Israel let another airforce defend its airspace, as friendly as it may be. This is completely unthinkable. And why would Israel do that? The US has nothing better than what Israel already have unless they bring F-22s. The Israeli F16s are actually better equipped than the American ones for anything except BVR.

For the conspiracy theory, you can claim that the footage is unrelated to the incident, but then again this is silly. In a place like Israel where just about everyone knows someone who is in the airforce and was involved, this will leak out very fast. The Israeli media is vicious when the IDF spokesman is inaccurate. They nearly flamed the previous spokesman when it was reported that a terrorist group was attacked from the air by a plane and (just hours) later the media found out that it was a helicopter.

[GScholz]

nokia actually have very good quality cameras on some of their phones

Nothing comparable to a professional DSLR camera, which is what they used to "cheat" in the commercial. It's a silly comparison because it's not like the Israeli air force lack the capability to shoot down drones. Their F-16i's are probably better at it than any F-18. There is no reason why the IAF would need to "cheat" to make that video (unlike Nokia).

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Nothing comparable to a professional DSLR camera, which is what they used to "cheat" in the commercial. It's a silly comparison because it's not like the Israeli air force lack the capability to shoot down drones. Their F-16i's are probably better at it than any F-18. There is no reason why the IAF would need to "cheat" to make that video (unlike Nokia).

Actually the Nokia phone takes pictures that are comparable to a DSLR in many situations. It can't compete in optics but the chip is very advanced in low lighting for example. And Pureview 808 has a 42 megapixel chip - yup.

[mthrockmor]

Two worlds, both grounded in reality.

Vehicle identification is frequently found to be in error. That picture has characteristics of an F/A-18. The strongest reason it is an F-16i is because the media release says it is and it fits the overall theme. Misidentification happens all of the time. Sorry, strong words of condemnation will not sway me either.

Second, misinformation. There are many reasons why these things have happened for thousands of years. And yes, both America and Israel engage in this just as every nation does. Hamas is an expert at it, as is the Muslim Brotherhood, Iran, etc.

The simpliest explanation is likely the most accurate, Ocham's razor. Yes, that does not always explain everything. Remember last year how a US drone went down in Iran? Do you believe the official story on that? If so, you blew it big time. That drone was a set up to plant viruses related to the nuc program Iran insists is not weaponized.

The more things change the more they stay the same. What goes on in the Middle East is about spin, propaganda and disinformation by all sides for decades. Why would they do it? Maybe it was so simple as to send a message and the best video they had was this, and it actually happened in New Mexico but who is going to know?! Plenty of reasons why.

That does not appear to be an F-16i.

Boo

[Ack-Ack]

These conspiracy theories are cracking me up, some are wearing the tin foil hat a little too tightly.

Anyway, it's clearly a F-16 in the video.


ack-ack

[GScholz]

Remember last year how a US drone went down in Iran? Do you believe the official story on that? If so, you blew it big time. That drone was a set up to plant viruses related to the nuc program Iran insists is not weaponized.

LOL!

[bozon]

mthrockmor, apparently I need to get more tin foil. 
MORE TIN FOIL!

[AAJagerX]

Dunno how anyone can look at the video and think it's anything other than an F-16.   

[SEraider]

F-16 vote.