Navy F-35C Surfaces Wearing New Mirror-Like Skin

[rangerrebew]

Navy F-35C Surfaces Wearing New Mirror-Like Skin

The ‘chrome’ F-35C recently arrived at Point Mugu in California, which is hosting other specialized test aircraft for a major exercise.
BY
JOSEPH TREVITHICK, TYLER ROGOWAY
AUG 25, 2022 6:35 PM
 

Another U.S. military stealth jet has been spotted wearing a metallic-looking coating. This time it's a U.S. Navy F-35C Joint Strike Fighter sporting a mosaic of panels with mirror-like finishes. This is different from another 'chrome' coating previously seen on one of the service's F-35Cs, but is very similar to one that has been observed on a U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor in the recent past.

Author's note: for full context check out our last major report on these mysterious 'chrome' finishes that have now shown up on a variety of stealthy aircraft here.

The jet in question belongs to the Navy's Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Nine (VX-9), the "Vampires," and has the Bureau Number serial number 168842. The aircraft – seen in the pictures at the top of this story and below taken by Fred Taleghani of FreddyB Aviation Photography, who goes by the handle @cvvhrn Twitter – has been flying from Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) Point Mugu in California since at least last week.

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/navy-f-35c-surfaces-wearing-new-mirror-like-skin

[rangerrebew]

Does that make them easier to find at the bottom of the ocean when they are blown off the ship or pilots hit the back of the ship?

[rustynail]

So the Diverse Deck Crew can check to see if they look Fabulous.

[EdinVA]

So we spend billions to make it "invisible" then make the shinny....