US confirms downed aircraft is F-15E After previous reports suggested a fighter jet that was downed in Iran on Friday was an F-35, US authorities have now confirmed the plane was an F-15E. Both jets are considered fighter aircraft and both were developed for the US by McDonnell Douglas and Lockheed Martin. The F-15E is understood to be considerably faster and handles rapid, larger payloads designed to move in and then withdraw after striking as quickly as possible while the F-35 is slower and generally considered to be used for more stealthy missions.