This Video Provides Another Look At The F-22 Raptor Covered With A Mirror-Like Coating
December 10, 2021 Military Aviation
David Cenciotti
F-22 Raptor mirror-like coating
A clip filmed few days ago at Nellis Air Force Base during WSINT exercise shows, among all the other interesting aircraft, the mysterious “Chrome” F-22 Raptor.
You probably already know it by know, but a really intriguing F-22 Raptor is flying over Nevada these days. The aircraft, unmarked (i.e. lacking evident tail codes and registration) was first caught on camera on Nov. 19, 2021, by the famous aviation photographer Santos Caceres as it “flexed” on departure from Nellis Air Force Base.
The aircraft‘s distinguishing feature is a “mirror-like” coating, never seen before on a Raptor. The reflective metallic coating appears to cover most of the outer “skin” of the aircraft leaving very evident panel lines, including some saw tooth ones above and on the sides of the fuselage (typical of stealth aircraft), as well as some unusual curvilinear ones (on the wings in the flaps area).
We don’t know what’s the reason for the new “Chrome” or “Mirror-like” coating, although it looks quite likely it was applied to carry out some testing activity, possibly related to IRST (Infra Red Search & Track) or other targeting systems. Last year, The War Zone reported that Scaled Composites Model 401 “Son Of Ares” demonstrators flew a number of test flights over China Lake ranges covered with a reflective metallic coating (similar to the one used on the F-22), speculating the mirrored target could be used in possible low-power laser systems testing.
https://theaviationist.com/2021/12/10/f-22-with-a-mirror-like-coating/
