The F-35As were on their way to the Nevada Test and Training Range to participate in their inaugural training mission against F-15E Strike Eagles. Michael Albrecht, fly in a two-ship F-35A Lightning II formation from Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, June 9, 2022. The 65th Aggressor Squadron commander, Lt. Among them were “The Wraith,” a black-and-red scheme apparently inspired by a Russian MiG and now in use on aggressor F-16s and “ Ghost,” an eye-catching pixelated blue-and-white theme imitating the Su-57 that has also been applied to the F-16. In 2020, aviation artist Sean Hampton released seven artists’ renderings showing possible schemes that vividly simulated adversary aircraft. The future look of these F-35 “red air” fighters has been the subject of lively speculation for years. The paint scheme, though limited so as to avoid compromising the F-35’s low-observable characteristics, is “reminiscent of both the Russian Su-57 Felon and Chinese J-20 fighters,” Air Force Magazine reported. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Josey Blades) The aggressor squadron acts as an opposing force in sorties by replicating enemy tactics, techniques and procedures. Brandon Nauta, 65th Aggressor Squadron commander, assumes command of the 65 AGRS during an activation ceremony at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, June 9, 2022. The unit, which maintains jets intended to simulate enemy fighters in combat scenarios, stood back up in June at a ceremony featuring a static F-35 in a subtle three-color camouflage carefully designed not to interfere with the 5th-generation fighter’s stealth coating. Two F-35 Joint Strike Fighters have joined the newly reactivated 65th Aggressor Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, and they’re sporting a fresh look. Related: America’s enemies can track stealth fighters on radar (and it isn’t a problem) 1) F-35 Aggressor Aircraft Here are five more notable heritage designs in the last few years that you might have missed. “The unit’s 50th anniversary happens only once and for those who knew him, when Swany had a good idea, no amount of persuasion could convince him otherwise.”Īnd based on the hype the newly released gold F-16 is generating it appears history has proven Swany right.Įlsewhere around the Air Force, fighter paint schemes have become an art form, with increasingly intricate and meaningful designs. “As the story goes, Swanstrom was a consummate promoter and didn’t always concern himself with particular rules if they got in the way of a good idea,” a Guard news release stated. Dennis Swanstrom, the Iowa ANG 128th Air Refueling Wing commander who had the audacity to create the original all-gold fighter, even though special paint jobs for active planes were essentially unheard-of at the time. The aircraft also carries multiple hat tips to Col. The 2022 redesign of the 185th Air Refueling Wing static display was unveiled as the Air Force celebrates its 75th Anniversary this year.

The jet is painted with commemorative anniversary paint scheme that replicates the unit’s 50th-anniversary gold jet as it appeared in 1996. Air Force F-16A Falcon from the Iowa Air National Guard is on the ramp in Sioux City, Iowa on June 30, 2022.

Unit emblems including a black bat with wings spread and a native American headdress bearing the words “Sioux City” can be found on the tail. The original anniversary dates, 1946-1996, are printed on the ventral fins under the body of the plane. Like that 50th anniversary F-16, the new throwback jet has a striking glossy black radome, or nose cone, and the inscription “Pride of Siouxland” across the side. In July, 2022, in celebration of the Air Force’s 75th anniversary, the Iowa Air National Guard rolled out an F-16 with a fresh all-gold paint job and intricate details harking back to the state’s first gold heritage jet, unveiled in 1996. But when you see one sparkle in flawless all-gold, it somehow still hits differently. After all, the Viper, as pilots call it, is the world’s most popular fighter by number of planes in service around the world, and the ride of choice for the elite Air Force Thunderbirds. One could argue that the F-16 Fighting Falcon plane doesn’t need any special paint job to be the coolest thing in the air.

Airplane f 16 falcon coloring page