Unknown phenomena.-

Photo By Stefan Wilson.

During Unified Protector SwAF flew JAS 39 C Gripen over Lybia.

Photo By Louise Levin.

Damage to forward canopy shield's anti-radar coating from "unknown weather phenomena" first reported as sandstorm. No sand has been found so far and they have never seen this damage before. Theories include some freak upwind thunderstorm that brought with it particles or maibe accelerated thermal and UV degradation of the plastic film due to the intense Mediterranean sun, but so far they don't really know. Happened on two jets at the same time and there's no other damages to be found. The thin coating contains the metals gold and indium tin oxide.