The F-15E Strike Eagle is a dual-role fighter built for both air-to-air and air-to-ground operations, according to the official US Air Force website.

US military search and rescue aircraft were spotted flying low over Iran on Friday after an American fighter jet was shot down by the Islamic Republic.

NORAD aircraft deployed flares before safely escorting the plane out of the restricted area.

TEHRAN PROVINCE, Iran — Iranian media claimed Friday that a US pilot or pilots had ejected over southwestern Iran, and urged Iranians in the area to help hunt them down. U.S. Central Command, the Pentagon and the White House didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

Iran shooting down two American military aircraft marks an exceedingly rare assault for the U.S. that has not happened in more than 20 years and shows the Islamic Republic’s continued ability to hit back despite President Donald Trump asserting it has been “completely decimated.

With over a thousand F-35s built and thousands more on order, the F-35's flyaway costs can be lower than some fourth-generation fighter jets.