F-35 Chrome Lightning the Future of Air Combat? How the F-35 is becoming the fighter of the West

Sponsored by Morning Brew

Recently some F-35C Lightnings have been spotted with chrome or mirror like coatings. This is apparently a continuing trend as F-22 Raptors and F-117 Nighthawks have also been spotted with these finishes. Could this be the future of air combat? We will take a look at what this could mean, why the F-35 is becoming the fighter of the West, and what other upgrades are in store for the F-35 Lightning.

PilotPhotog Merch Store!

More on the Chrome F-22 Raptor:



Join this channel to get access to perks:

Patrons and channel members get early access to ad free videos

Follow me on other social media:

Books and flight sim gear I recommend:
Buying from my storefront gives me a small commission and helps support this channel

Photography and video Credits/Attributions:

"The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement."
Department of Defense
Lockheed Martin

fy2023 budget near peer avionics fcas defence update

[boneill]

As a Canadian, I have to hand it to the US, their R&D, quality, and manufacturing capabilities are incredible. Glad they are on our side.

[goolash]

Seems like it works do several things: reduce heat signature, make own heat signature look like the sun's signature, reduce effectiveness of DEWs, and reduce visual detection. (USAF studies in the 00s showed that brightly lit up aircraft have virtually no siloughette at range.)

[nathaniellazo]

Hell yah, have always loved the Chrome aircraft like the P-51, so happy the style will be returning with modern technology!

[cameronjack]

There's been a bunch of talk recently about the development of ceramic RAM. This is almost certainly it. It's likely a dichroic, multi-layer coating and has all the benefits that everyone here has already guessed - protection from IR (which includes lasers), a claimed 80% radio wavelength absorption (not sure how that compares to the existing stealth coatings), lack of silhouette in a bright sky, much higher temperature allowance, and likely much lower lifetime costs.

[TheWeatherbuff]

I'm sure someone else has mentioned this, but it just popped into my inexperienced brain. Is it possible the chrome is meant to keep the anti-rad coating from degrading? Example: Some chrome-lined rifle barrels hold up to high heat and protect the barrel structure.

[Demane]

Possible protection from laser attacks? They are becoming more relevant each year, especially on newer nuclear naval vessels that can power them. Scatter laser targeting perhaps? I'd still think additional spectrum scattering is more likely however.

[BringTheRain]

Love the chrome, it gives me Century Series vibes

[reedr]

There are likely many types of aircraft coatings which would reduce IR signature. To me, this seems most likely to be a test of a coating to counter directed energy weapons. Lasers. These DE weapons are in development and it seems logical to assume they're also working on ways to counter these weapons while maintaining low observable characteristics.

[Harley-D-Mcdonald]

Great video. This is exactly what I think people are looking for when they are interested in the cutting edge improvements on an airframe. Good Stuff

[alexcraig]

I wonder if the mirror coating on the C variant will withstand the saltiness of the carrier environment better than the standard stealth coatings have?

[kingdomofvinland]

I hope the chrome finishes let us return to ww2 and Korean War style markings

[kalliste]

If these coatings are quasicrystal antenna arrays, as I suspect, they are able to shape the electromagnetic signature of the aircraft to whatever you want. The craft will be truly be invisible or can transform into anything you want. The limitation might well be that the aircraft has to generate a very large amount of electrical energy to power the array, hence the stealth fighters being used because they have that capability.

[rogeriodaconceicao]

I have recently seen new armoured BMW’s with a paint job that makes it almost invisible by connecting it to some electric gadget etc. A little bit like windows, are made no longer see through by simply clicking a switch. I am aware that stealth is based on invisibility to radar, but in air combat like a dog fight being actually not physically visible or almost not visible would be an advantage as well.

[davied]

It could be also to allow the Navy to evaluate a new stealth coating for their aircraft. I’ve seen pictures where there are issues with carrier deployed F 35s where the coating has been deteriorating

[bradlincoln]

I think the chrome like finish is less maintenance on the stealth coating and handle the heat better

[Glen.Danielsen]

Enemy will be so impressed with Chrome finish that they won’t shoot. Also, we must consider the stunning _RED_ on Mazda/Maserati automobiles 😮

[msytdc]

You're absolutely wrong in hypothesizing that the F-117 would ever be used in combat in the future. They were selected for use as test aircraft in the present because they were available, and are one of the most instrumented stealth platforms in existence, so perfect for analyzing the performance of adversary detection capabilities, as well as to refine and improve domestic detection systems as they are upgraded or newly put into service. The F-117s are also known to act as stand ins for stealthy enemy aircraft and cruise missiles to aid the training of US military personnel.

[niteowl]

It's probably as smooth as glass. Less drag and or friction possibly increasing speeda little, slight improvement on range maybe, reducing heat signature and it would probably be hard for the naked eye to spot when up high. It simply mirrors the sky.

Just few guesses... it could possibly help against laser weapons well.

[MrKKUT]

Seems like it would be a more durable coating as well maybe allowing them to fly faster without damaging the ram. Plus it may help with corrosion resistance in particular with the B & C variants that are around salt water alot

[michaels]

I think chrome coatings may help degrade IR, and really mess with any laser designator, yet my first sighting of a military using chrome was on a small boat, to now see it on aircraft means it’s definitely being considered in several arenas