On the 20th day of the ongoing conflict with Iran, the nature of the war seems to be changing completely. While earlier the news of missiles and air strikes were in the headlines, now 'Electronic Warfare' has become the most decisive weapon of this war. Reason? Just two planes. In the joint strategy of America and Israel, the pair of F-35I Adir and EA-18G Growler has seriously weakened Iran's air defense system, or rather, almost blinded it. The pair of these two aircraft have so far completed the entire mission in more than 1,600 sorties without losing a single pilot.

How does this 'invisible pair' work?

According to military sources, the F-35I remains almost invisible from enemy radar due to its stealth capability. The 18G Growler flying with it jams the enemy's radar and communication systems. Growler's advanced systems capture enemy radar signals and add so much electronic 'noise' to them that operators cannot see anything clearly on the screen.

• -Growler's ALQ-218 receiver and Next Generation Jammer (NGJ-MB) pods jam Iran's JY-27A, HQ-9 and S-300 radars.
• Taking advantage of this opportunity, the F-35 enters inside and carries out precise attacks. But the F-35 doesn't go alone, it flies with the EA-18G Growler.
• F-35 enters this 'darkness' and drops AGM-88E HARM missile or JDAM bomb.

Recently released photos by CENTCOM show a Growler flying from the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier, carrying an ALQ-99 pod on one wing and four HARM missiles on the other. This combo destroyed more than 200 air defense sites in Tehran, Isfahan and Khormushar in 72 hours.

The largest combat use of F-35 in history

This is the first time the F-35 is being used on such a large scale and the biggest twist is that this is the F-35's first large-scale combat debut. Israel's F-35I Adir is flying 35-37 times a day (90% readiness rate) and American F-35C is also flying from Lincoln carrier. On March 4, 2026, Israel F-35 shot down Iran's Yak-130 light attack jet. This is being said to be the first air-to-air kill of this fighter.

Action in Hormuz Strait, Iran's Navy also helpless

Iran had threatened to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz, but the pair of Growler and F-35 also jammed coastal radars. Now the entire strike group of USS Abraham Lincoln is deployed near the strait without any threat. Whereas Iranian speedboats are now radar blind and sitting idle.

This means that the effect of this pair is visible even in sensitive areas like the Strait of Hormuz. Due to Iranian coastal radar jam, the ships stationed there are getting additional security. The US Navy's carrier group is active in this area.

Impact on Iran's air defense

• Iran's large radar network has been affected.
• Many airbases have become inactive.
• IRGC's fighter planes have come into limited role.
• The few Su-24 and MiG-29 left with the IRGC are also not flying at present.

However, independent verification of these claims has been limited and official response from Iran has also been limited.

What next?

America-Israel's plan is clear, this pair of EA-18G Growler and F-35 is now focusing on Iran's remaining missile sites and Navy HQ. CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper said that air superiority is impossible without electronic superiority. The Growler and F-35 proved it. Iran is now dependent only on drones and ballistic missiles. This war has now become a war of 'stealth and jamming'. Boots on the ground have been replaced by screens and jamming pods.