{"id":1623729,"date":"2022-08-27T06:34:17","date_gmt":"2022-08-27T10:34:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1623729"},"modified":"2022-08-27T06:35:31","modified_gmt":"2022-08-27T10:35:31","slug":"new-mirror-like-skin-spotted-on-u-s-navy-f-35c-surfaces","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-mirror-like-skin-spotted-on-u-s-navy-f-35c-surfaces\/","title":{"rendered":"New Mirror-Like Skin Spotted on U.S. Navy F-35C Surfaces"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fnew-mirror-like-skin-spotted-on-u-s-navy-f-35c-surfaces%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1623729&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><div class=\"css-itqiyo\">\n<div class=\"css-tomq47\">\n<h2 class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-h6 css-1k6vyop\">The \u2018chrome\u2019 F-35C recently arrived at Point Mugu in California, which is hosting other specialized test aircraft for a major exercise.<br \/>\n<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"MuiBox-root css-dpoqzr\">\n<div class=\"MuiBox-root css-79elbk\">\n<div class=\"MuiBox-root css-1k6rbu\"><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-body1 css-1y9dg17\"><i>Fred Taleghani \/ FreddyB Aviation Photography <\/i><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"MuiBox-root css-i9gxme\">\n<div class=\"MuiGrid-root MuiGrid-container MuiGrid-spacing-xs-2 css-i0amj6\">\n<div class=\"MuiGrid-root MuiGrid-item MuiGrid-grid-xs-12 MuiGrid-grid-md-8 css-7vczw4\">\n<div class=\"MuiBox-root css-10757gk\">\n<div class=\"container MuiBox-root css-11ucsrf\">\n<div class=\"css-5lmc0i\">\n<div class=\"MuiAvatar-root MuiAvatar-circular css-1d9y4h0\" title=\"Joseph Trevithick\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Joseph Trevithick\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/jtrevithick-e1611929871528.jpg\" class=\"MuiAvatar-img css-1hy9t21\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-5lmc0i\">\n<div class=\"MuiAvatar-root MuiAvatar-circular css-1d9y4h0\" title=\"Tyler Rogoway\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Tyler Rogoway\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/thedrive-tyler-rogoway.png\" class=\"MuiAvatar-img css-1hy9t21\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"MuiBox-root css-9r2dyh\" data-id=\"page-content\">\n<div class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-paragraph paragraph css-y0sc5o\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">\n<p>Another U.S. military stealth jet has been spotted wearing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/the-war-zone\/43938\/f-35-and-f-117-spotted-flying-with-mysterious-mirror-like-skin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a metallic-looking coating<\/a>. This time it&#8217;s a U.S. Navy F-35C Joint Strike Fighter sporting a mosaic of panels with mirror-like finishes. This is different from another &#8216;chrome&#8217; coating previously seen on one of the service&#8217;s F-35Cs, but is very similar to one that has been observed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/the-war-zone\/43228\/f-22-raptor-covered-in-mirror-like-coating-photographed-flying-out-of-nellis-afb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">on a U.S. Air Force F-22<\/a> Raptor in the recent past.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-paragraph paragraph css-sv5g30\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">\n<p><em>Author&#8217;s note: for full context check out our last major report on these mysterious &#8216;chrome&#8217; finishes that have now shown up on a variety of stealthy aircraft <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/the-war-zone\/43938\/f-35-and-f-117-spotted-flying-with-mysterious-mirror-like-skin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here.<\/a> <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-paragraph paragraph css-sv5g30\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">\n<p>The jet in question belongs to the Navy&#8217;s Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Nine (VX-9), the &#8220;Vampires,&#8221; and has the Bureau Number serial number 168842. The aircraft \u2013 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/cvvhrn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">@cvvhrn<\/a> Twitter \u2013 has been flying from Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) Point Mugu in California since at least last week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"image MuiBox-root css-19jy8mj\"><span class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-caption css-k6fpix\" data-rawhtml=\"1\"><em>Fred Taleghani \/ FreddyB Aviation Photography<\/em><\/span><\/figure>\n<div class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-paragraph paragraph css-sv5g30\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">\n<p>The aircraft also has the modex number 105, which is painted on the outside of both of its twin tails, along with the VX-9 tail code XE. A subdued variation of the VX-9 logo, consisting of a bat and twin lightning bolt motif with four stars arrayed above, is also seen on the outside of the left tail.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"image MuiBox-root css-19jy8mj\"><span class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-caption css-k6fpix\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">A good look at the markings on 168842&#8217;s tail end. <em>Fred Taleghani \/ FreddyB Aviation Photography<\/em><\/span><\/figure>\n<div class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-paragraph paragraph css-sv5g30\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">\n<p>The markings are, of course, much less interesting than the mosaic of rhombus, triangle, and square-shaped tiles arrayed around the airframe. This is distinct from the pattern seen on the F-22 with the mirror-like finish that emerged last year, which featured a mix of square, trapezoidal, and somewhat triangular-shaped panels, as you can find out more about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/the-war-zone\/43228\/f-22-raptor-covered-in-mirror-like-coating-photographed-flying-out-of-nellis-afb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"image MuiBox-root css-19jy8mj\"><span class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-caption css-k6fpix\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">The initial F-22 &#8216;chrome Raptor&#8217; with larger tile areas and sheet-like panels of material affixed to its skin.<em> Credit: Santos Caceres\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/figure>\n<div class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-paragraph paragraph css-sv5g30\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">\n<p>A second &#8216;chrome&#8217; Raptor emerged around March of this year with <a href=\"https:\/\/theaviationist.com\/2022\/03\/19\/second-chrome-f-22-raptor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a different coating pattern<\/a> characterized by arrays of smaller rectangular, trapezoidal, and triangular tiles. This application has more in common with that of the F-35C in this post than the earlier Raptor mirror-like coating.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-paragraph paragraph css-sv5g30\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">\n<p>The coating that 168842 currently has is also different from one that was seen previously on at least one other VX-9 F-35C, which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/the-war-zone\/43938\/f-35-and-f-117-spotted-flying-with-mysterious-mirror-like-skin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">had distinctive scalloped edges<\/a> mid-way across both wings and a much larger area covered with more of sheet-like material in areas, similar to the first &#8216;mirrored F-22.&#8217; <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"image MuiBox-root css-19jy8mj\"><span class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-caption css-k6fpix\" data-rawhtml=\"1\"><em>Fred Taleghani \/ FreddyB Aviation Photography<\/em><\/span><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"image MuiBox-root css-19jy8mj\"><span class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-caption css-k6fpix\" data-rawhtml=\"1\"><em>Fred Taleghani \/ FreddyB Aviation Photography<\/em><\/span><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"image MuiBox-root css-19jy8mj\"><span class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-caption css-k6fpix\" data-rawhtml=\"1\"><em>Fred Taleghani \/ FreddyB Aviation Photography<\/em><\/span><\/figure>\n<div class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-paragraph paragraph css-sv5g30\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">\n<p>There <a href=\"https:\/\/theaviationist.com\/2022\/08\/24\/check-out-these-amazing-photos-of-the-second-f-35c-sporting-a-mirror-like-coating\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">has been some suggestion<\/a> that 168842 may have previously had this earlier coating. However, the jet that was seen with it while flying in an area along the California-Nevada border in January had a different modex number, 100. Of course, more than one of VX-9s F-35Cs could certainly have had this other coating applied at one time or another.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"image MuiBox-root css-19jy8mj\"><span class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-caption css-k6fpix\" data-rawhtml=\"1\"><em>Fred Taleghani \/ FreddyB Aviation Photography<\/em><\/span><\/figure>\n<div class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-paragraph paragraph css-sv5g30\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">\n<p>Regardless, we definitely know now that at least two of VX-9&#8217;s Joint Strike Fighters have had at least one of the metallic-looking finishes applied. The earlier F-35C coating had appeared as if it might be translucent, looking either reflective or matte depending on the viewing angle and reversing the contrast of the markings beneath it as the perspective moved from front to rear. It&#8217;s not entirely clear whether the coating on the 168842 has similar qualities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"image MuiBox-root css-19jy8mj\"><span class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-caption css-k6fpix\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">Months ago, another Navy test F-35C from VX-9 appeared with its own &#8216;chrome skin&#8217; that looked similar to that worn by the first &#8216;chrome Raptor.&#8217; Credit: <em>Elijah Delgadillo\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"image MuiBox-root css-19jy8mj\"><span class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-caption css-k6fpix\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">You can see how the jet&#8217;s markings change in polarity and the skin goes from matte to reflective as the jet passes by. Credit: <em>Elijah Delgadillo\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"image MuiBox-root css-19jy8mj\"><span class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-caption css-k6fpix\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">An F-117 was caught flying with a mirror-like coating earlier this year. <em>Credit: Reader submission<\/em><\/span><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"image MuiBox-root css-19jy8mj\"><span class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-caption css-k6fpix\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">An F-117 seen coated with a mirror-like coating during the mid-1990s as part of the SENIOR SPUD program.<\/span><\/figure>\n<div class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-paragraph paragraph css-sv5g30\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">\n<p>We still don&#8217;t know the exact story behind these finishes, but they are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/the-war-zone\/43938\/f-35-and-f-117-spotted-flying-with-mysterious-mirror-like-skin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">believed to help reduce<\/a> the signature of these already stealthy aircraft, particularly in the infrared spectrum, without dramatically impacting the aircraft&#8217;s radar cross-section. It may also have to do with making the aircraft&#8217;s sensitive low-observable skin <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/the-war-zone\/f-22-raptor-being-readied-for-aim-260-missile-by-green-bats-testers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">more maintainable and robust<\/a> over time. Whether these particular coatings are designed to be representative of something that could be applied to operational aircraft, or are just being used for research and development and test and evaluation purposes in their current form, is unclear. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-paragraph paragraph css-sv5g30\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">\n<p>Why 168842, specifically, is in Point Mugu is also not entirely clear. Earlier this month, Naval Base Ventura County did issue a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvidshub.net\/news\/427093\/aircraft-advisory-increase-aircraft-activity-nbvc-point-mugu\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">somewhat cryptic press release<\/a> regarding increased flight activity at the base starting on August 22 and ending on September 2.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"image MuiBox-root css-19jy8mj\"><span class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-caption css-k6fpix\" data-rawhtml=\"1\"><em>Fred Taleghani \/ FreddyB Aviation Photography<\/em><\/span><\/figure>\n<div class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-paragraph paragraph css-sv5g30\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">\n<p>&#8220;NBVC Point Mugu will host approximately 50 aircraft. Aircraft supporting multiple test events are expected to operate during airfield hours out of NBVC Point Mugu from August 22 to September 2, with the larger segments of flying between August 22-26,&#8221; the release said. &#8220;No night operations are scheduled at this time.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-paragraph paragraph css-sv5g30\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">\n<p>However, the press release also described whatever would be happening as a singular &#8220;exercise&#8221; that is intended &#8220;to provide unit-level training for pilots and aircrews on the Point Mugu Sea Range.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-paragraph paragraph css-sv5g30\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">\n<p><em>The War Zone<\/em> has reached out to the Navy for more information.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-paragraph paragraph css-sv5g30\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">\n<p>It is all but certain that 168842 is at Point Mugu to take part in this test\/exercise plan, whatever it might entail. A number of other aircraft from the Navy&#8217;s test and evaluation community, as well as similar Marine and Air Force units, look to have now descended on the base for the same reason. Photographer Matt Hartman was able to grab shots of a number of these other jets, and there were some of particular interest.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-paragraph paragraph css-sv5g30\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">\n<p>Additional aircraft from VX-9, including F\/A-18E and F model <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/the-war-zone\/42529\/the-navy-has-received-its-first-block-iii-f-a-18-super-hornets\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Super Hornets<\/a> and at least one <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/the-war-zone\/37053\/the-ea-18g-growler-has-its-own-topgun-school-for-electronic-attack-instead-of-dogfighting\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">EA-18G Growler<\/a>, were among them. Another EA-18G from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 (VX-23) touched down, too. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"image MuiBox-root css-19jy8mj\"><span class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-caption css-k6fpix\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">An F\/A-18E Super Hornet from VX-9 arriving recently at Point Mugu carrying an elaborately painted electronic warfare threat simulator pod. <em>Matt Hartman\/Shorealone Films<\/em><\/span><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"image MuiBox-root css-19jy8mj\"><span class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-caption css-k6fpix\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">The VX-9 EA-18G Growler touching down. The white pod seen on the wing is often associated with flight test applications. <em>Matt Hartman\/Shorealone Films<\/em><\/span><\/figure>\n<div class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-paragraph paragraph css-sv5g30\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">\n<p>As seen in the picture below, the VX-23 Growler arrived carrying two new AN\/ALQ-249(V)1 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/the-war-zone\/41727\/navys-new-jamming-pods-for-ea-18g-growler-eyed-for-air-force-fighters\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Next Generation Jammer-Mid-Band<\/a> (NGJ-MB) electronic warfare pods under its wings. These are one part of a suite of new electronic warfare pods being developed for the EA-18G, which you can read more about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/the-war-zone\/24475\/navys-next-gen-jammer-is-three-pods-not-one-and-competition-for-one-of-them-just-heated-up\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"image MuiBox-root css-19jy8mj\"><span class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-caption css-k6fpix\" data-rawhtml=\"1\"><em>Matt Hartman\/Shorealone Films<\/em><\/span><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"image MuiBox-root css-19jy8mj\"><span class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-caption css-k6fpix\" data-rawhtml=\"1\"><em><em>Matt Hartman\/Shorealone Films<\/em><\/em><\/span><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"image MuiBox-root css-19jy8mj\"><span class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-caption css-k6fpix\" data-rawhtml=\"1\"><em><em>Matt Hartman\/Shorealone Films<\/em><\/em><\/span><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"image MuiBox-root css-19jy8mj\"><span class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-caption css-k6fpix\" data-rawhtml=\"1\"><em><em>Matt Hartman\/Shorealone Films<\/em><\/em><\/span><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"image MuiBox-root css-19jy8mj\"><span class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-caption css-k6fpix\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">One of the 65th Aggressor Squadron&#8217;s F-35A Joint Strike Fighters, with its distinctive camouflage pattern, comes in to land at Point Mugu. <em><em>Matt Hartman\/Shorealone Films<\/em><\/em><\/span><\/figure>\n<div class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-paragraph paragraph css-sv5g30\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">\n<p>Two Marine F-35Bs from Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One (VMX-1) were also among the recent arrivals.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"image MuiBox-root css-19jy8mj\"><span class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-caption css-k6fpix\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">One of the two F-35Bs from VMX-1 that recently arrived at Point Mugu. <em><em>Matt Hartman\/Shorealone Films<\/em><\/em><\/span><\/figure>\n<div class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-paragraph paragraph css-sv5g30\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">\n<p>Whatever test and\/or training event Point Mugu is now hosting, a wide variety of specialized assets are participating that are capable of presenting, or least mimicking, an equally diverse array of threat profiles. Of the other aircraft beyond the mirrored F-35C, the EA-18G with the NGJ-MB pods is particularly notable given that the Navy has <a href=\"https:\/\/news.usni.org\/2020\/08\/19\/flight-tests-begin-on-next-generation-jammer-mid-band-pods-could-reach-milestone-c-this-fall\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">said in the past<\/a> that it expects this electronic warfare system to reach initial operational capability by the end of Fiscal Year 2022. The 2022 Fiscal Year ends on September 30. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-paragraph paragraph css-sv5g30\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">\n<p>It&#8217;s also important to remember that the aircraft noted in this story are just the ones that have been seen in the open. The NBVC press release mentions 50 aircraft, so there are definitely others taking part in the testing\/training that haven&#8217;t necessarily been observed visually. For example, online flight tracking software <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Pajaro505\/status\/1562181688117137408?s=20&amp;t=iAi6XDhG5rzkK3_7UtAJLg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">recently showed an Air Force B-52 bomber<\/a> conducting a mission off the coast of southern California the day after the test\/training activities at Point Mugu were said to have started.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-paragraph paragraph css-sv5g30\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">\n<p>It is also worth noting that this would not be, by any means, the first time the elements of the Navy and the Air Force have conducted advanced joint test and training activities areas off the southern California coast. At the same time, these kinds of events have been occurring more frequently, and have been growing in size and scope. This is in no small part a product of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/the-war-zone\/aircraft-from-area-51-taking-part-in-latest-air-force-red-flag-exercise\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">efforts to better incorporate representations<\/a> of higher-end threats, and do so at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.af.mil\/News\/Article-Display\/Article\/3105728\/faa-nellis-afb-partner-to-expand-red-flag-airspace-arena\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">larger scales over greater distances<\/a>. In June, for instance, the two services notably joined together in the Southern California range complex to conduct a major multi-faceted training exercise that also involved fighter jets, bombers, and an aircraft carrier strike group, among other assets, as you can read more about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/the-war-zone\/mysterious-exercise-off-baja-brought-nellis-afb-uss-nimitz-aircraft-together\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-paragraph paragraph css-sv5g30\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">\n<p>All told, from what we have seen, it would certainly seem very possible, if not probable, that the test\/training activities being conducted from Point Mugu are intended, at least in part, to evaluate a variety of different sensors and countermeasures in larger-scale and more operationally representative environments. In many ways, what has been observed so far from aircraft operating out of the base feels very similar to previous Air Force <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/the-war-zone\/16610\/pentagon-flight-testers-now-have-their-own-mock-air-war-called-orange-flag\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Orange Flag<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/the-war-zone\/air-forces-black-flag-test-exercise-goes-international-with-focus-on-china\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Black Flag<\/a> large force <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/the-war-zone\/39710\/black-and-orange-flag-war-games-combine-making-the-mother-of-all-air-power-testing-events\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">test and evaluation exercises<\/a>, which have generally taken place within the airspace over the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR), albeit this would be Navy-led.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-paragraph paragraph css-sv5g30\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">\n<p>It will certainly be interesting to see what details, if any, subsequently emerge about the metallic-looking F-35C and the test\/training events at Point Mugu it is now taking part in. What now seems certain is that are basically two flavors of &#8216;chrome&#8217; coatings for stealthy jets that are increasingly being put to the test by both services. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-paragraph paragraph css-sv5g30\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">\n<p>Another F-35C with a &#8216;chrome&#8217; coating has now arrived at Point Mugu. This is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/the-war-zone\/43938\/f-35-and-f-117-spotted-flying-with-mysterious-mirror-like-skin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">same one we reported on in January<\/a>, a VX-9 jet with the &#8216;100&#8217; modex, wearing a very similar<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/the-war-zone\/43228\/f-22-raptor-covered-in-mirror-like-coating-photographed-flying-out-of-nellis-afb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> coating as the first &#8216;chrome&#8217; F-22<\/a> that appeared last year. So both types of coatings are now in play for this large test exercise, which matches USAF efforts out of Nellis AFB in the past where both coatings were being flown on F-22s.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-paragraph paragraph css-sv5g30\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">\n<p>This new info comes to us via a couple of great images from Zach Hajic (<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Watching_Planes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">@Watching_Planes<\/a>), check them out:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"image MuiBox-root css-19jy8mj\"><span class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-caption css-k6fpix\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">Credit: Zach Hajic<\/span><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"image MuiBox-root css-19jy8mj\"><span class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-caption css-k6fpix\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">Credit: Zach Hajic<\/span><\/figure>\n<div class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-paragraph paragraph css-sv5g30\" data-rawhtml=\"1\">\n<p><em><em>Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"css-1483lpv\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"stripe\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/logo\/stripe-warzone.png?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;quality=70&amp;width=1440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/logo\/stripe-warzone.png?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;quality=70&amp;width=640 640w, https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/logo\/stripe-warzone.png?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;quality=70&amp;width=750 750w, https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/logo\/stripe-warzone.png?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;quality=70&amp;width=828 828w, https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/logo\/stripe-warzone.png?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;quality=70&amp;width=1080 1080w, https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/logo\/stripe-warzone.png?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;quality=70&amp;width=1200 1200w, https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/logo\/stripe-warzone.png?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;quality=70&amp;width=1920 1920w, https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/logo\/stripe-warzone.png?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;quality=70&amp;width=2018 2048w, https:\/\/www.thedrive.com\/logo\/stripe-warzone.png?auto=webp&amp;optimize=high&amp;quality=70&amp;width=3840 3840w\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"MuiBox-root css-9qdted\">\n<div class=\"MuiPaper-root MuiPaper-elevation MuiPaper-rounded MuiPaper-elevation1 css-101rrej\">\n<p class=\"MuiTypography-root MuiTypography-body1 css-14entez\">MORE TO READ<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The \u2018chrome\u2019 F-35C recently arrived at Point Mugu in California, which is hosting other specialized test aircraft for a major exercise. Fred Taleghani \/ FreddyB Aviation Photography Another U.S. military<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1623731,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1623729","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1623729","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1623729"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1623729\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1623731"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1623729"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1623729"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1623729"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}