What Was The “Jellyfish-Like” Drone Swarm The Downed F-15E Pilot Reportedly Saw Over Iran?

TWZ ^ | 06-23-2026 | THOMAS NEWDICK, TYLER ROGOWAY

[Pete Dovgan]

Many questions remain about the complex mission to rescue the crew of the U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle that came down over Iran in April of this year and what led to it. Now, the reported testimony of the Strike Eagle pilot involved describes a ‘jellyfish-like’ swarm of drones in the sky, moments before they ejected from the stricken jet.

According to a report from CNN, the pilot recounted seeing “multiple Iranian drones hovering in the air, moving as one, in a formation that resembled a jellyfish.” The report is based on statements from four unnamed sources said to be familiar with the matter.

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TOPICS: Chit/Chat
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[Pete Dovgan]

Interesting story. Drone swarms. The Chinese have demonstrated these skills. I suspect that is the source.

[Dr. Franklin]

Artificial intelligence directing linked drones. To be able to do this, the drones must communicate with each other. Jam that and it doesn’t work.

[CivilWarBrewing]

Is the implication that China took down our F-15? Sure it wasn’t a U.S. drone swarm doing surveillance?

[Red Badger]

[Red Badger]

we need sharks with frikin lasers!.................

[algore]

I suspect local distributed AI mini drone swarms will soon be coming to the woods near you.

I have heard people talking about this tech, pretty amazing what they can already do.

one of my co-workers showed off his mid size drone motors/controllers. Not sure why he got them, but hopefully he will setup his big 3d printer so he can pretend to build one, or just set it up so I can try it. he paid 3K and sent me a cool video about why it is the best one in that price range.

but yes I can envision how the swarm protocol would work, and the behavior based on range/TargetValue/current DronesInAir/AvailableWeapons

[Repeal The 17th]

“...based on statements from four unnamed sources
said to be familiar with the matter...”

[packagingguy]

From the article it seems as though the drones were physically connected, as with fiber optics or cables of some type. So they may not be using radio control at all.

[neverevergiveup]

After Covid, I can’t understand why anyone wouldn’t be trying as hard as possible to avoid purchasing anything from China. I know it’s difficult, but at least try. They lied. They allowed flights to leave China to other nations - despite knowing that a virus engineered in their virology lab escaped into the general population.

[Mariner]

Mark

[spokeshave]

From the article it seems as though the drones were physically connected, as with fiber optics or cables of some type. So they may not be using radio control at all.

Ukrainians have developed autonomous drones with AI and imaginary that can detect military vehicles

So the Russians response is: