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U.S. F/A-18F Super Hornet Fighter Jet Accidentally Shot Down by Own Warship in Red Sea

The Super Hornet, operating from the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), was reportedly downed by a missile launched from the U.S. Navy cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG-64), CENTCOM said.

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(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – A two-seater U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet was shot down by an American warship in the Red Sea, according to a statement from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
The Super Hornet, operating from the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), was reportedly downed by a missile launched from the U.S. Navy cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG-64), CENTCOM said.
“Both pilots were successfully rescued. Initial assessments indicate that one of the crew members sustained minor injuries,” the statement read.
“This incident was not the result of hostile fire, and a full investigation is underway.”
The downing of the Super Hornet occurred during a weekend of military operations against Houthi forces, which control much of Yemen, including the capital Sana’a.
U.S. and British fighter jets have been striking targets in Sana’a since Saturday.
USS Harry S.Truman
USS Harry S.Truman
This is the first time a U.S. fighter jet has been shot down in the 14 months of American military operations against the Houthis in Yemen.
The Houthis have previously claimed responsibility for downing several MQ-9 Reaper drones, but no crewed aircraft or helicopters had been targeted until now.
The F/A-18F Super Hornet is the first to be lost in combat, albeit accidentally, by the U.S. Navy.
The Super Hornet, built by Boeing, is a supersonic, twin-engine fighter jet capable of executing “virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum,” according to the manufacturer.
The USS Gettysburg is part of the escort group for the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, to which the downed F/A-18F was assigned as part of Carrier Air Wing 1.
USS Gettysburg (CG-64) is a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser equipped with a robust suite of air defense systems designed to protect itself and other vessels in its battle group. Key components of its air defense arsenal include:
1. Aegis Combat System
  • Core Air Defense System: The Aegis system is the backbone of Gettysburg’s air defense. It uses advanced radar (SPY-1 series) to detect, track, and engage threats, allowing the ship to simultaneously target multiple aircraft, missiles, and surface vessels.
2. Missile Systems:
  • SM-2 (Standard Missile-2): Primary surface-to-air missile (SAM) for engaging aircraft and incoming missiles at long range.
  • SM-6 (Standard Missile-6): Capable of intercepting cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and aircraft.
  • ESSM (Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile): Provides medium-range defense against missiles and aircraft.
USS Gettysburg
USS Gettysburg
USS Harry S. Truman arrived in the Middle East on December 14 to “ensure regional stability and security,” the Pentagon previously announced.
Meanwhile, the Houthi armed group released a statement claiming responsibility for the downing of the U.S. Super Hornet, rejecting the U.S. military’s assertion that the incident was friendly fire.
“Our forces successfully repelled attacks by U.S. and British fighter jets against our country by targeting the USS Harry S. Truman and several warships,” the statement read.
The Houthis claimed the operation against U.S. aircraft carriers and warships involved eight cruise missiles and 17 drones. – DSA

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