FACT-CHECK: Suspected AI-generated jet photo misrepresented as ‘downed’ Israeli F-35 stealth fighter

admin 10:19 PM
CLAIM: Iranian forces shot down an Israeli F-35 fighter jet. 
 
RATING: FALSE

 

A Facebook page falsely claimed that the photo of a destroyed fighter jet was an Israeli Air Force F-35 Lightning II stealth aircraft that Iran had shot down amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The image first appeared in various military enthusiast groups on Facebook following Israel’s reported surprise attack on Iran’s key military and nuclear facilities.

However, the photo shows clear signs of AI manipulation, due to the disproportionate size of the purported downed F-35 compared to the people near the plane in the image.

A video from Lockheed Martin’s official YouTube account shows the actual F-35 airframe on the assembly line, with workers nearby providing a reliable size reference.

Additionally, a WikiMedia Commons photo attributed to Israel Air Forces’ (IAF) official website features an F-35I “Adir” in one of its authentic livery configurations.

While the AI-generated image includes markings resembling the “Star of David,” it was not identical to the insignia that is commonly featured on Israeli military equipment. 

The IAF uses a roundel incorporating the Star of David in a distinct color scheme for the F-35 stealth fighters, which differs from the markings seen in the fabricated image.

Moreover, the aircraft in the doctored photo has notable differences from official Lockheed Martin models, particularly in the shape of the horizontal stabilizers.

No reputable media sources have reported on the instance of Iranian forces downing a multi-million-dollar stealth jet aside from claims from Iran’s state media. 

As of writing, the photo continues to circulate in a few reposts on Facebook, though it has gained limited traction. Hurt Allauigan


IFCN Signatory Badge

PressOne.PH is a verified signatory of the Code of Principles of the International Fact -Checking Network (IFCN) at Poynter. The code of principles of the International Fact-Checking Network is a series of commitments organizations abide by to promote excellence in fact-checking. We believe nonpartisan and transparent fact-checking can be a powerful instrument of accountability journalism..

PressOne.PH believes that fact-checking is essential to combating misinformation and disinformation, and in informing and educating citizens and voters. Read more of PressOne.PH’s Fact-Checking Policy by clicking here.

The public is welcome to send feedback or requests for fact-checks at factcheck@pressone.ph.

If you believe PressOne.PH is violating the Code of Principles of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), you may submit a complaint directly to the IFCN website: https://ifcncodeofprinciples.poynter.org/complaints-policy

<ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-1535372364357523" data-ad-slot="8956430836" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Tags
Reactions

Post a Comment

0 Comments