The United States has deployed F-16CJ “Wild Weasel” jets equipped with the AN/ALQ-167 Angry Kitten electronic warfare pod amid rising tensions with Iran. The move comes as Tehran unveils its sea-based Sayyad-3G air defense missile, capable of creating a 150 km defensive bubble over critical maritime zones including the Strait of Hormuz. Designed to intercept fighter jets, bombers, cruise missiles, and drones, Iran’s upgraded naval air defenses present new challenges for potential strike planning. The Angry Kitten pod, known for generating phantom radar targets and disrupting enemy air defenses, signals Washington’s cautious preparation for contested airspace. As IRGC drills continue and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reiterates warnings against U.S. warships, the electronic warfare dimension of this standoff is rapidly intensifying.
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