The World’s Most Advanced Fighter Jet | F-35 Lightning

Summary

The F-35 Lightning II is showcased in this script, highlighting its capabilities as the Air Force's most advanced stealth fighter jet. With supersonic speeds, radar-absorbent material for stealth, and an advanced sensor suite, the F-35 dominates the battlefield. Major Kristen 'Beo' Wolfe, Commander of the F-35A Demonstration Team, explains its features, including the 360-degree view system, internal cannon, and the fly-by-wire system. The script also details the high-tech helmet, which integrates flight data and night vision, and concludes with a thrilling flight demonstration, emphasizing the jet's agility and power.

Takeaways

• 🚀 The F-35 Lightning II is the Air Force's most advanced fighter jet, capable of supersonic speeds up to 1,200 miles per hour.
• 🛡️ Equipped with a radar-absorbent stealth material, the F-35 is virtually undetectable on enemy radar, offering a significant strategic advantage.
• 🔬 The aircraft features an advanced sensor suite, providing comprehensive control and dominance over the battlefield.
• 👨‍✈️ Major Kristen 'Beo' Wolfe, Commander of the F-35A Demonstration Team, emphasizes the F-35A's capabilities at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.
• 🌐 The F-35 is a 5th generation fighter, with stealth technology allowing it to engage targets before being detected.
• 📡 The aircraft is equipped with a powerful AESA radar and Distributed Aperture System (DAS) cameras for a 360-degree view, enhancing situational awareness.
• 🎯 The Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) allows for precise targeting of both stationary and moving targets.
• 💻 Often referred to as a 'supercomputer with wings,' the F-35 can control a wide area and share situational data with other units.
• 🔫 The F-35A model has an internal cannon and can carry a variety of bombs, from 2,000 pounds down to 250 pounds, for diverse mission requirements.
• ⚙️ The fly-by-wire system offers superior maneuverability and stability, with the aircraft's flight controls responding to pilot inputs as requests.
• 🔄 The F-35 comes in three variants (A, B, and C), each tailored for different operational needs, including conventional takeoff and landing, short takeoff and vertical landing, and carrier operations.

Q & A

What is the F-35 Lightning II?

The F-35 Lightning II is the Air Force's newest and most technologically-advanced fighter jet, capable of supersonic speeds and equipped with stealth technology and advanced sensor suites.

What makes the F-35 virtually undetectable on enemy radar?

The F-35's exterior is coated in a radar-absorbent stealth material, which significantly reduces its radar cross-section, making it difficult for enemy radar to detect.

What is the maximum speed of the F-35 Lightning II?

The F-35 can fly at supersonic speeds, reaching as fast as 1,200 miles per hour.

What is the role of the F-35A Demonstration Team?

The F-35A Demonstration Team, led by Major Kristen 'Beo' Wolfe, showcases the capabilities of the F-35A and performs flight demonstrations to the public.

What does 5th generation technology in aircraft refer to?

5th generation technology in aircraft refers to advanced features such as stealth, advanced sensors, and integrated avionics that provide superior performance and capabilities over previous generations.

What is the primary mission of the F-35 as described in the script?

The primary mission of the F-35 is to be a multi-role SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defense) fighter, capable of taking out enemy air defenses and ground systems.

What is unique about the F-35's Distributed Aperture System (DAS) cameras?

The DAS cameras provide a 360-degree view around the aircraft, allowing the pilot to see through the jet via a visor display, enhancing situational awareness and serving as a night vision backup.

What is the function of the F-35's EOTS system?

The Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) is used for targeting and tracking air-to-air and air-to-surface targets, and it can generate and send coordinates for laser-guided bombs.

How does the F-35 control and dominate the battlefield?

The F-35 uses its advanced sensors, radar, and data sharing capabilities to control a wide area of the battlefield, providing situational awareness and coordinating with other aircraft and ground units.

What are the differences between the F-35 and the F-22 Raptor?

The F-22 Raptor has two engines and is highly maneuverable, making it the king of dogfighting. The F-35, being about 10 years newer, is smaller but can carry larger payloads and has more focus on air-to-ground capabilities.

What are the three variants of the F-35, and what are their key differences?

The three variants are the F-35A (Air Force variant with conventional takeoff and landing), F-35B (Marine variant with STOVL capabilities for short takeoff and vertical landing), and F-35C (Navy variant designed for carrier operations with catapult launches and arrested landings).

How does the F-35's fly-by-wire system differ from traditional flight control systems?

The fly-by-wire system in the F-35 converts the pilot's control inputs into electronic signals, allowing the aircraft to make complex maneuvers more easily and providing enhanced stability and control.

What is special about the F-35's helmet?

The F-35's helmet is a high-tech, custom-fit device that integrates directly with the jet's systems, displaying flight data, night vision, and a 360-degree view from the aircraft's cameras onto the visor.

What is the significance of the F-35's Pratt and Whitney F135 engine?

The F135 engine is the most powerful fighter engine ever built, providing up to 43,000 pounds of thrust, which is more than the aircraft's gross weight, allowing for exceptional maneuverability and performance.

Outlines

00:00

🛫 Introduction to the F-35 Lightning II

The F-35 Lightning II is introduced as the Air Force's latest and most technologically advanced fighter jet, capable of supersonic speeds up to 1,200 miles per hour. It features stealth technology that makes it nearly undetectable on enemy radar, along with a state-of-the-art sensor suite and weapon system. The video script takes us to Hill Air Force Base with the 388th Fighter Wing for a full flight demonstration, highlighting the F-35's capabilities with Major Kristen 'Beo' Wolfe, the Commander of the F-35A Demonstration Team. The script emphasizes the aircraft's 5th generation status, its stealth technology, and its multi-role capabilities, especially in suppression of enemy air defenses.

05:00

🔍 Exploring the F-35's Advanced Features

This section delves deeper into the F-35's advanced features, starting with its pointy nose that houses the powerful AESA radar and Distributed Aperture System (DAS) cameras, which provide a 360-degree view and night vision capabilities. The script discusses the aircraft's ability to perform deliberate and dynamic targeting with its Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS). It also touches on the F-35's role as a 'supercomputer with wings,' highlighting its ability to control and dominate the battlefield through its advanced flight control system and sensor capabilities. The weapons systems are also discussed, including the internal cannon and the aircraft's payload capacity, which is adaptable for various mission types.

10:01

✈️ Comparing the F-35 with Other 5th Generation Fighters

Major Wolfe shares her insights on the differences between the F-35 and the F-22 Raptor, another 5th generation fighter. The F-22 is noted for its twin engines and superior maneuverability, making it ideal for dogfighting, while the F-35, being newer, is smaller but can carry larger payloads and is more focused on air-to-ground capabilities. The script also covers the three variants of the F-35: the A model for conventional takeoff and landing, the B model for short takeoff and vertical landing, and the C model for carrier operations. The Pratt and Whitney F135 engine, which provides more thrust than the aircraft's weight, is highlighted for its reliability and power, enabling the F-35 to perform complex maneuvers.

15:02

🚀 The F-35's High-Tech Helmet and Flight Demonstration

The script provides a detailed look at the F-35's high-tech helmet, which is custom-fit for each pilot and integrates directly with the aircraft's systems, displaying all necessary flight data on the visor. It also discusses the aircrew's flight equipment, including the G-suit, survival jacket, and life preservation equipment. The narrative culminates in a full flight demonstration of the F-35, showcasing its agility and power through various maneuvers, such as the Cuban eight, inverted passes, and tactical pitch. The demonstration emphasizes the F-35's readiness for combat and its ability to dominate in the skies.

🎉 Conclusion and Acknowledgement of the F-35 Demonstration

The script concludes with a personal account of the F-35 flight demonstration, expressing admiration for the jet's impressive performance. It acknowledges the efforts of Hill Air Force Base and the 388th Fighter Wing for making the demonstration possible and invites viewers to subscribe for more content, ending on a high note with the excitement of the F-35's capabilities.

Keywords

💡F-35 Lightning II

The F-35 Lightning II is a family of single-seat, single-engine, all-weather stealth multirole fighters. It represents the pinnacle of modern military aviation technology, as depicted in the video. The F-35's capabilities are central to the video's theme, showcasing its advanced features and maneuvers during a flight demonstration.

💡Supersonic speeds

Supersonic speeds refer to velocities that exceed the speed of sound. In the context of the video, the F-35 is highlighted for its ability to fly at supersonic speeds, reaching up to 1,200 miles per hour, which is a testament to its performance and agility in combat scenarios.

💡Stealth material

Stealth material is a special type of coating or composite used on military aircraft to reduce their radar cross-section, making them less detectable. The F-35's exterior is coated with such material, a key aspect of its design that allows it to evade enemy radar as mentioned in the script.

💡5th generation

The term '5th generation' categorizes the most advanced class of fighter aircraft characterized by features such as stealth, advanced avionics, and superior performance. The F-35 is identified as a 5th generation fighter, emphasizing its elite status among military aircraft in the video.

💡Multi-role SEAD fighter

A multi-role Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) fighter is an aircraft capable of performing various combat roles, with a priority on disabling enemy air defenses. The F-35's role as a multi-role SEAD fighter is central to its mission capabilities, as discussed by Major Kristen 'Beo' Wolfe in the script.

💡AESA radar

AESA stands for Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, a type of advanced radar system that provides superior detection and tracking capabilities. The F-35 is equipped with a powerful AESA radar, allowing it to target multiple air-to-air and air-to-surface threats simultaneously, as highlighted in the video.

💡DAS cameras

Distributed Aperture System (DAS) cameras are a set of six infrared cameras placed around the aircraft that provide a 360-degree view. They are used for missile warning and as a night vision backup, enhancing the pilot's situational awareness, as Major Wolfe explains in the script.

💡EOTS system

Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) is an advanced targeting pod that uses infrared imaging for detecting and tracking targets. The F-35 uses this system for precise targeting, especially for moving targets, as demonstrated in the video script.

💡Fly-by-wire system

A fly-by-wire system is an electronic flight control system that replaces the traditional mechanical linkages between the cockpit controls and the aircraft's surfaces. The F-35's advanced flight control system is described as a fly-by-wire system, allowing for exceptional maneuverability and stability during flight demonstrations.

💡Pratt and Whitney F135

The Pratt and Whitney F135 is the engine that powers the F-35, providing over 43,000 pounds of thrust. This engine's immense power is a key feature of the F-35, enabling it to perform high-speed maneuvers and maintain superior performance, as showcased in the flight demonstration.

💡Helmet

The helmet of the F-35 is a high-tech piece of equipment that integrates with the jet's systems, replacing traditional displays with a visor that shows flight data and provides a 360-degree view. It is custom-fit for each pilot and is a critical component of the F-35's advanced capabilities, as detailed in the script.

Highlights

The F-35 Lightning II is the Air Force's most technologically advanced fighter jet.

Capable of supersonic speeds reaching 1,200 miles per hour.

Equipped with radar-absorbent stealth material for undetectability on enemy radar.

Features an advanced sensor suite and weapons system for battlefield control and dominance.

Major Kristen 'Beo' Wolfe introduces the F-35A Demonstration Team.

Describes the experience of flying the F-35A as being at the front seat of a roller coaster with control.

5th generation aircraft characterized by stealth technology for close enemy engagement.

Primary mission is multi-role SEAD fighter for suppression of enemy air defense.

AESA radar in the front can target multiple air-to-air and air-to-surface tracks simultaneously.

DAS cameras provide a 360-degree fused video feed to the pilot's visor, allowing seeing through the jet.

EOTS system for target generation and tracking, enabling deliberate and dynamic targeting.

F-35 referred to as a 'super computer with wings' for its advanced control and battlefield dominance.

Discusses the F-35's advanced fly-by-wire system for maneuverability and stability.

Differences between the F-35 and F-22 Raptor in terms of maneuverability and payload capacity.

The F135 engine provides 43,000 pounds of thrust, more than the aircraft's weight, enabling advanced maneuvers.

Three variants of the F-35: A for conventional takeoff and landing, B for STOVL, and C for carrier operations.

Custom fit, high-tech helmet integrates flight data and provides a 360-degree view through the jet.

Pilot's gear includes a G-suit, survival jacket with essential survival components, and an oxygen mask.

Full flight demonstration showcasing the F-35's agility and capabilities.

Transcripts

- This is the F-35 Lightning II, the Air Force's newest

and most technologically-advanced fighter jet.

It can fly at supersonic speeds

as fast as 1,200 miles per hour, has an exterior coated

in a radar-absorbent stealth material,

making it virtually undetectable on enemy radar,

and combines a weapons system with the most advanced

sensor suite ever installed on a fighter jet,

allowing the F-35 to both control

and dominate the battlefield.

Well, today I'm here at Hill Air Force Base

with the 388th Fighter Wing to show you

all about the F-35's incredible capabilities,

and also witness its maneuvers firsthand

during a full flight demonstration.

So you better strap in and get ready

because this is the F-35.

(rock music)

- [Air Traffic Controller] Lightning 01,

you are cleared for take off.

- All right, here we go.

- [Pilot] Lightning 01 is clear for take off.

It's show time.

- [Air Traffic Controller] Prepare for (indistinct).

(rock music continues)

- Hey, I'm Major Kristen "Beo" Wolfe,

the Commander of the F-35A Demonstration Team,

and we're here at Hill Air Force Base Utah

with the F-35A, the Air Force's premier

5th generation stealth fighter.

- Well, I think there are a lot of people out there,

including myself, who would give just about anything

to be able to experience flying this thing.

What's it like being at the controls of an aircraft

so advanced and so powerful?

- I usually break it down to people in simple terms.

It's pretty much like you're at

the hill of a roller coaster.

You're all single seat models,

so you're the only one up there,

and you're pretty much right up front,

on the front seat of a roller coaster,

but you're at the controls the whole time.

- We hear that term 5th generation

being thrown around a lot.

I know that's a pretty elite class of aircraft

to be called that, but what exactly makes something 5th gen?

- 5th gen, our bread and butter is stealth.

So stealth technology means we can get in closer

to the enemy, we can shoot our missiles,

drop our bombs before we're targeted,

which is kind of, we can roll back those,

you know, air defenses, ground systems.

And our priority mission is being a multi-role SEAD fighter,

so suppression of enemy air defense.

(rock music)

The front of the fighter is a pointy nose.

It's kind of where most of the magic happens,

so it's where a lot of the technology lives.

Obviously single seat, but really, got the radar in front,

so huge, powerful AESA radar that can target

multiple air-to-air and air-to-surface,

tracks at the same the time.

Kind of everybody's favorite part is gonna be

these DAS cameras, so an IR camera in there.

There's six of them around the aircraft,

fusing a 360 degree video that you can put onto your visor.

That's what allows you to see through the jet,

see through yourself as you're flying around.

It's actually a missile warning system,

but I like to tell people we use it

as a night vision backup as well,

since in IR you can see in pitch dark.

You can see the clouds, the mountains, other jets.

Under the chin, you'll see our EOTS system,

so electrical-optical.

Different way of IR, but that's kind of what we use,

similar to like a sniper or lightning pod,

to generate targets on the ground

to track air-to-air targets.

And we sent coordinates from that to the bombs,

and that is what allows us to do deliberate targeting

or dynamic targeting of moving targets

via laser-guided bombs.

- And I've really heard the F-35 called a super computer

with wings, and it can kind of control

and dominate the battle field, right?

So that's what it's designed for right,

to be kind of that one platform that can do everything?

- I mean, over as a fore shift, yeah,

we have a lot of capability to spread 60 miles wide,

control a lot of basically situational awareness

of the battle sites and pass that along

to either 4th string counterparts

or people that are making decisions out there.

A lot of that is through the radar,

where we're picking up targets and passing them

to other people.

A lot of that is through all these panels.

If you start taking them off,

there are huge super computers and big old things

that I don't even know how to work on,

but big sensors throughout every single

basically skin of the airplane.

Everybody's favorite part of fighters

is probably the weapons.

So the A model of the F-35 is the only one

that has an actual internal cannon or gun,

so you can see that up on the left intake of the jet.

181 rounds of 25 micmic, or millimeter,

so bigger than generally a 4th generation fighter carries,

but smaller than an A-10.

But we can set a burst round limiter,

which is my favorite part, because you can set,

you know, squeeze the trigger as long as you want.

Only 20 bullets come out, or however many you designate,

so it allows you have six or seven good shots

out of the gun.

Up under, you can kind of see the bomb bay doors open.

That's where all the big magic happens.

So we can carry up to 2,000 pound bombs

all the way down to 250 pound bombs.

It just depends on the variety of the mission.

So I said SEAD is kind of our primary mission.

So if we're going after a hard in target,

a bunker, tank, we might use the 2,000 pounder,

versus eight little targets, we kind of designate

eight little bombs to go 70 miles out

and strike eight different things.

So that's pretty dynamic and pretty cool for us.

♪ Push down, cast out, yeah, look at that ♪

One of the most advanced flight control systems in,

you know, really the world,

in conjunction with what the Raptor has.

It's called a fly-by-wire system.

So a little bit more advanced than what the Viper has,

the F-16, but really what that means is every input

via stick and throttle from the pilot is a request.

And I just ask the airplane, you know,

pull it, give me all you got, roll left as fast as you can,

or whatever, and the airplane's gonna do

any combination of flight controls to make that happen.

It's not like flying a Cessna

or an actual hydraulic airplane.

So what that means is, one, it's pretty maneuverable,

but also it lends a lot of stability

to the airplane as well.

So what you can see, you know, when I fly the demo,

particularly in the slow speed, is people think

it's a really hard maneuver and I'm working my butt off,

but in actuality, I just freeze the airplane

at 30 degrees nose high, and the airplane's flight controls

are doing all the work.

And so that's what you can kind of see

with the trailing edge flaps, the stabs,

the horizontal tail's doing all that work

to keep the airplane straight and level and stable.

- And you mentioned the F-22 Raptor.

She's one of the very few select pilots

that have flown two 5th generation fighters,

both the F-22 and the F-35.

What would you say are some of those

kind of differences between the two?

- Yeah, still 5th generation fighters,

but really obviously the F-22 has two motors.

Super maneuverable.

The thrust factoring is a really big deal.

And it's got just a bigger plane form,

so it's really the king of dog fighting.

Versus when you transition to the F-35,

about 10 years newer, still very maneuverable,

but shorter, smaller, but it can carry larger payloads,

which is important.

So we can carry 2,000 pound bombs, they carry 1,000.

And really, they can carry eight missiles internal,

we're at four, so a little more air-to-air dominated,

we're a little more air-to-ground centered.

♪ No, I can't be broken ♪

♪ No, I can't be bought ♪

All right, so here we are at the business end of the jet.

So the most powerful fighter engine ever built,

the Pratt and Whitney F135.

About 43,000 pounds of thrust coming out of it

when we're in AB, which is pretty much

all 13 minutes of the demo.

But really, what the super liability

means I don't have to worry about the engine failing

while I'm flying either out in the range or during the demo.

I can just rely on all that thrust whenever I want it.

- And there's actually more thrust

than the aircraft itself weighs, right?

Is that what kind of allows you to literally spin

and do all the crazy maneuvers?

- Yeah, so with 43,000 pounds of thrust,

I get down to 43 gross weight

around two minutes into the demo.

So from that point on, you're accelerating faster

than you can handle, so it's a lot,

especially down at sea level or out over a beach show.

- So I know not everyone may know there's actually

three different variants of the F-35, right, the A, B and C.

Can you kind of talk us through

a little bit of those key differences between the three?

- Yeah, so what you see here is the A model

Air Force variant, conventional take off and land,

just like a normal airplane.

The B model is what the marines generally fly,

so that's the STOVL variant, short take off, vertical land.

That's the one that hovers.

And then the C model is the carrier variant.

So that's the one that gets shot off via the catapult

off the aircraft carriers,

and then lands via the arresting cable on the ship.

- So someone that's flown this for so long,

any kind of desire to get in a B model and hover?

- I've done it in the sim, and it's actually pretty stable

and really easy.

It's not like the Harrier, where you're working

all the flight controls, but it's pretty simple,

it's a button.

- Just one one button in hover mode.

- Yeah, one button, hover mode.

- That's sick.

Do you ever just look back and be like,

I'm in a rocket alien spacecraft?

I mean, I feel like that's crazy.

- Yeah, I mean, it feels kind of surreal

because you're on the very front edge.

So it's not like you see the rest of the plane

until another F-35 pulls up next to you,

and you're like, that's pretty awesome.

You know, we're flying a really bad ass fighter jet.

- So I know you're taking off for a demo flight here

in just a little bit, which we can't wait to see,

but I've got to ask what is your favorite maneuver?

- Ah, standard fighter pilot answer,

it depends on where we are, what the environmentals are,

the clouds, the weather, beach show, the crowd.

But I'd say probably the inverted pass

just because it is so dumb and unnatural as a fighter pilot

to be upside down 300 feet above the ground

kind of looking straight down at the runway.

You're like, I am crazy.

So it's fun to fly, and it's fun for the crowd to see.

- Well, thanks so much for the walk around of the F-35,

and we'll be looking for that maneuver.

- Absolutely.

(rock music)

- Here we are at the aircrew flight equipment section

of the 388th Operational Support Squadron

at Hill Air Force Base, and you can think of this area

sort of like a locker room, but for fighter pilots.

Just like your favorite sports team might need an area

to gear up before a big game,

the same thing applies to F-35 pilots.

This is where they store gear like their G suits,

survival vests, and their most important piece of gear,

the helmet.

Now, I wanted to show you this helmet up close

because it's pretty incredible.

And in fact it's the most high tech fighter pilot helmet

ever built, and it's actually integrated

into the jet itself.

It replaces the traditional heads up display

that you might see on an older aircraft

and instead displays all of the flight data

a pilot might need right here on the visor itself.

Things like your air speed, altitude, heading,

warning systems and targeting information is all right here

for the pilot whenever they need it.

It even has built in night vision goggles

and can project a real time image by accessing

a series of cameras placed all around the aircraft,

including letting the pilot look down

and see through the bottom of the aircraft itself.

And what I think's the most impressive part

is that every single helmet is custom fit for each pilot.

This is done through a multi-day multi-step process,

and for everything on the helmet to function properly,

it has to be perfectly aligned and precisely fit.

(rock music continues)

- All right, so what I have for you right now

is everything below the neck

that the pilot is gonna be wearing.

So we've go the G suit right here.

This is made to combat the G forces

and force the blood where it needs to go

so that they don't lose consciousness.

Over here we've got the survival jacket.

So as you see right here, these are survival components.

They're gonna have their flares, flashlights,

tourniquets, GPS, everything you're gonna need

if the pilot ever needs to eject.

And then obviously the oxygen mask,

which is gonna hook into the aircraft

and provide the oxygen that they're gonna need.

Also I have an LPU, which we usually install onto the jacket

and I would like Sam to demonstrate the use of this.

- Yeah, I've actually, because do they wear these

just over water, or at all times?

- Usually over water if they're doing missions over water.

- Gotcha.

Yeah, and so the pilot, if they eject over water,

this is what keeps them afloat, right?

- It does.

- You say they have to manually pull these to inflate?

Is that how it works?

- Yeah, so you're just gonna yank it down, and then go.

- All right, here I go.

Do I need to be like prepped or something?

- No, I would just give you your space.

- All right.

(air blowing)

Whoa.

(laughs) There we go.

I'm afloat.

That was scary.

- Yeah?

- Oh my gosh, it's like cold too.

Sweet.

(rock music continues)

- So what I have for you is the F-35 helmet.

And I have it powered up for you,

so what I'm gonna have you do is throw it on

and have you see what pilots see POV.

- Okay.

(rock music continues)

- All right, so what I'm gonna do is close the visor for you

and then you're gonna be able to see

those symbologies that are displayed in front of you.

- Yeah, and I talked about it earlier, right.

So this is quite literally everything the pilot needs,

right, instead of having a big hunky night vision goggles

or heads up display.

Is it all right here?

- Yeah, all the information that they're gonna need

is gonna be displayed on the visor if they need it.

And the cool thing is that this helmet

is gonna sync to the jet, so it's gonna provide

the basically VR function, where you're gonna be able

to specifically just look through the jet

and have a 360 degree view.

- Now, for those watching,

this helmet's actually quite comfortable, you know.

I don't know how heavy it is,

but I feel like it's pretty well built.

Yeah, I mean, this is I guess the future right here.

That's what it was designed for,

to kind of do everything, right?

- Yep, so a fully built helmet

is gonna weigh around five pounds.

So it's gonna help with those G's

that the pilot's gonna be pulling.

It's super light.

All carbon fiber, and it's super durable.

- And I saw some pilots kind of have them customized

with their call sign and logos.

Are you the guys who do that, or how does that work?

- They do that themselves.

So it gives them a little bit of their own signature to it.

- I like that.

It makes this helmet even cooler.

(rock music)

So at this point, we've seen the F-35 up close

and learned about some of its unique design

and capabilities, but the one thing we haven't seen

is this jet in action.

Well, that changes right now, because this F-35

is about to take off, put on a full flight demonstration

so we can see what it's truly capable of.

The one thing I do know, it's about to get loud.

So you'd better grab your ear pro.

This should be pretty sick.

(rock music)

- Located at Hill Air Force Base in scenic northern Utah.

It is my distinct pleasure to describe for you today

the F-35A Lightning II.

The F-35 gives the United States Air Force

the power to dominate the skies anytime, anywhere.

- [Air Traffic Controller] Lightning 01,

you are cleared for take off.

- [Pilot] Lightning 01 is cleared for take off.

It's show time.

- Let's go!

Watch as the F-35 performs a half Cuban eight

at a stunning 50 degrees angle of attack.

(engines roaring)

Hear the thunder on high (indistinct)

Whoa, huge, oh my God.

From your left, the Lightning II is combat ready to turn.

(rock music)

♪ Do or die ♪

(engines roaring)

♪ Do or die ♪

♪ Do or die ♪

They are now performing the inverted to inverted pass.

The Lightning II pelter.

(rock music)

(engines roaring)

The F-35 performing the unique square loop.

♪ Do or die ♪

♪ Till you feel alive ♪

Ladies and gentlemen, the tactical pitch.

(engines roaring)

The F-35 demonstrates for us the dedication pass.

♪ Do or die ♪

A closing roll.

(rock music)

- Well there you have it.

The F-35 Lightning II.

After watching that demo in person,

I can confidently say this jet is impressive.

A huge shout out to Hill Air Force Base

and the 388th Fighter Wing for making this possible.

Don't forget to subscribe if you haven't already,

and I'll catch you in the next video.

(rock music)

♪ Do or die ♪

♪ (wings swooshing) ♪