From time to time, the US military tests various experimental coatings on the F-35C aircraft. Their purpose is to reduce the visibility of the fighter. But this time it was something a bit different compared to earlier types of materials designed to reduce the radar cross-section.
F-35C with a mirror-like coating on its tail. Image credit: U.S. Navy / Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Sonny Escalante
The US military continues to experiment with reducing the visibility of aircraft, most likely in the infrared spectrum. For the first time, the F-35C was photographed with mirror elements on the tail.
Stealth aircraft, like the F-22 Raptor or F-35 Lightning II, feature special designs and materials to make them less detectable by enemy radar systems. These designs often include angled surfaces and composite materials that absorb or deflect radar waves.
An F-35C fighter jet with an unusual mirror coating was photographed on the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier.
Depending on the viewing angle, the coating changes dramatically from opaque to transparent. It also changes from dark to shiny elements and appears to be made of three different materials.
F-35C with a mirror-like coating on its tail. Image credit: U.S. Navy / Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Madison Cassidy
It is noted that the observed F-35 unit belongs to the VFA-125 “Rough Raiders” squadron dedicated to training Navy and Marine Corps crews to operate this fighter jet. Possibly, the unusual F-35C could be used to test the new coating in harsh conditions and collect data.
However, there are indications that the new coating could also be installed on other aircraft in the fleet. That is why the mirror part can have three different coatings to compare their characteristics more easily and with fewer test flights.
Written by Vytautas Valinskas