Israel strikes Hodeidah: F‑35I Adir targets Houthi infrastructure

Israel conducted another retaliatory strike on the port of Hodeidah in Yemen, most likely using advanced F-35I Adir aircraft. The target of the raid was the energy, fuel, and port infrastructure of the Iranian-supported Houthi fighters.

Israel has repeatedly carried out bombing attacks on Hezbollah-related targets in Lebanon, so retaliation after another Houthi ballistic missile attack on Tel Aviv was no surprise.

In this operation, Israel likely once again used its most recent F-35I Adir aircraft. Due to the distance of about 1,930 kilometres one way, the planes had to be refuelled in the air, most likely by USAF tankers as was done the last time. Using the stealthy F-35I to fly over the airspace of Arab states between Israel and Yemen was the only sensible option.

The Israeli F-35I Adir is a unique version of the F-35 aircraft, significantly more expensive than the standard model used by the USA and NATO countries. Israel is the only country outside the USA that also has a test version of the aircraft with open architecture, allowing for independent integration of new equipment and weaponry components.

The Israeli version differs from the American version primarily in the avionics provided by Elbit and the ability to use local weaponry. A good example is the glide bombs with SPICE (Smart, Precise Impact, Cost-Effective) modules produced by Rafael or the MLGB or MPR guided bombs from Elbit Systems. For instance, a 227-kilogramme MPR bomb can penetrate even one metre of reinforced concrete, and heavier ones can penetrate even more.

All the aforementioned bombs are structurally similar to the American JDAM-ER and the French AASM Hammer. However, Israeli bombs are not equipped with rocket boosters. The key components are modules with guidance systems, flight correction, and foldable wings attached to standard Mk 82/83/84 aerial bombs weighing 227, 454, and 907 kilogrammes. The only exceptions are the small MLGB bombs weighing 113 kilogrammes.

For other bombs, guidance relies on inertial and satellite navigation modules ensuring accuracy within a few metres. This is a cost-effective method but is susceptible to GPS jamming, reducing precision. Another low-cost alternative is guidance based on reflected laser beams, allowing strikes on moving targets, but the target must be illuminated by the beam until impact.

On the other hand, a "fire and forget" option providing pinpoint accuracy in all conditions is the use of an optoelectronic thermal imaging head that sees the thermal image of the target, but this is the most expensive solution. Israel has this solution available in its SPICE bomb family, which depending on the release altitude and bomb weight, can fly from 60 to 126 kilometres after release from the aircraft.

Thanks to this, Israel possesses an aerial "surgical scalpel," enabling precise attacks anywhere in the Middle East, which wouldn't be possible with older types of aircraft.