🇮🇶❌🇺🇸— Several photos have previously been published showing the remains of decoys used on US fighter jets in southern Iraq.

It was later revealed that these decoys were AN/ALE-50 models, whose primary function is to protect aircraft from radar-guided air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles. The system works by towing a small device behind the aircraft via a cable combining fiber optics and power wires. When the system detects an incoming threat, the decoy begins emitting intense radar signals, making its radar cross-section (RCS) appear larger and more prominent than the aircraft itself. This misleads the missile seeker, causing it to target the decoy as the stronger target instead of the actual aircraft. If the missile hits its target, it destroys only the decoy, while the aircraft and pilot remain at a safe distance. After the threat has passed, the pilot can cut the cable to complete the mission or return to base.

The system is currently installed on F-16 and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters, as well as B-1B Lancer bombers.

@SimurghRes

🇺🇸❌🇮🇶— An airstrike targeted the military medical headquarters at the Habbaniyah military base in Anbar province, western Iraq, using A-10C Thunderbolt fighter jets.

－This resulted in the martyrdom of (7) of our heroic fighters from the Iraqi army and the injury of (13) others while they were performing their national and humanitarian duty, and the search is still ongoing by the rescue teams at the scene of the incident — Iraqi Defense Ministry

@SimurghRes

🇮🇷❌🇮🇱 — More pictures of the impact in Hadera.

Initial reports

The target was hadera power plant

@SimurghRes