High above the Mojave Desert, a mirror-like F-35 Lightning II appeared, gleaming like liquid metal under the sun. Was it a new stealth test, a prototype, or something entirely secret? Whatever it was, the sight left spotters speechless.
The Mirror Jets
The U.S. Navy released photos of F-35Cs flying with a distinctive mirror-like coating, captured during operations at Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu, California. The images show aircraft assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Nine (VX-9), commonly known as the “Vampires.”
The photos were taken in August 2022, though they were only officially released in 2025. The coating consists of tile-like reflective metallic panels that give the aircraft an otherworldly, chrome-like appearance.
Not Just the F-35
Multiple U.S. stealth aircraft have been spotted with similar mirror-like coatings starting in November 2021. The phenomenon began when an F-22 Raptor was photographed at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, covered in a tile-like reflective metallic coating unlike anything seen before.
By January 2022, both F-35 Lightning II fighters and F-117 Nighthawk attack jets had been spotted flying with the mysterious chrome covering. The stealth aircraft were captured by photographers in California, sparking intense speculation in the aviation community.
What Is the Coating?
The coating appears to change depending on viewing angles, suggesting it may affect both radar and infrared signatures. Aviation experts believe the mirror-like finish is part of experimental testing to decrease the aircraft’s detectability.
The War Zone reported that these exotic treatments are thought to be signature reduction tests, though the exact purpose remains classified. The coating differs from traditional stealth materials, which typically absorb rather than reflect energy.
Temporary Tests
Photos from November 2022 showed one F-35C with the special coating parked at Midland airport in Texas. The images revealed that the mirror-like coating had degraded over time during intensive testing, with damaged tiles visible across the aircraft’s surface.
After testing concluded, the aircraft were returned to their original livery. This suggests the mirror coating was experimental rather than operational, designed to gather data during specific test programs.
Why Mirror Coatings?
Traditional stealth technology relies on radar-absorbing materials and angular surfaces to deflect radar energy away from the source. A reflective coating seems counterintuitive, but experts theorize several possible purposes:
- Testing how different surface treatments affect radar cross-section at various angles
- Evaluating infrared signature reduction in different environmental conditions
- Gathering data on visual detection ranges and angles
- Testing new materials that could be incorporated into future stealth designs
The U.S. military has not officially commented on the purpose of these coatings, maintaining operational security around the test programs.
The Squadrons Behind the Tests
VX-9, the squadron operating these modified F-35Cs, serves as the U.S. Navy’s primary air test and evaluation unit. Based at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake and operating from Point Mugu, the Vampires are responsible for testing new weapons, tactics, and technologies before they enter operational service.
These test aircraft represent the cutting edge of military aviation research, where experimental coatings and modifications are evaluated under real-world flight conditions before any potential fleet-wide adoption.
