INSANE DETAILS of US NAVY F-18 Super Hornet Friendly Fire SHOOT DOWN

About this video

Max analyzes a friendly fire incident in which a U.S. Navy F-18 Super Hornet tanker was shot down by an SM-2 missile from the USS Gettysburg during operations over the Red Sea. He breaks down a social media post (later removed) that he believes is from the pilot, describing how the crew visually tracked the missile guiding toward them and ejected seconds before impact. Max speculates that Mode 4 crypto failure, the Zulu day rollover, heightened alert due to Houthi drones, and the ship’s defensive posture may have contributed to the incident.

Key takeaways

• Max recounts that the F-18 pilot saw the SM-2 missile transition from lead pursuit to pure pursuit (indicating it was locked on them), determined ejection was the only option due to low speed and lack of maneuverability, and pulled the handle seconds before the missile fused nearby.
• Max explains that a second F-18 nearly ejected as well, but the missile guidance was aborted after the airwing landing signal officer notified the USS Truman’s captain of the friendly fire, who then ordered all ships to abort launched missiles.
• Max suggests that IFF (Identify Friend or Foe) Mode 4 crypto may have failed due to disconnected avionics, incorrect Zulu day crypto, or other electronic issues, and notes that the heightened threat environment from Houthi drones and cruise missiles likely contributed to an ‘itchy trigger finger’ aboard the Gettysburg.

Episode details: published January 4, 2025 · 53.4K views · 14:36 long. Summary written by Self Growth Videos from the episode itself. The analysis and commentary described are Max Afterburner’s, attributed to him — his channel includes hypothetical-scenario and news-react content, which is presented as his analysis, not established fact.

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