This video shows Royal Air Force pilots conducting a nighttime flying exercise in ultra-modern F-35 combat aircraft.

The F-35 is a single-seat, single-engine, all-weather stealth multirole combat aircraft that is intended to perform both air superiority and strike missions.

Pilots from countries around the globe, including first-time participants Germany, Japan, and the Republic of Korea have joined together in this year’s Pitch Black military exercise.

Exercise Pitch Black 22 is a biennial three-week multi-national large force employment exercise conducted primarily from Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Darwin and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Tindal, lasting from 19th August to 8th September 2022.

Wing Commander Adrian Kiely, Commanding Officer No. 3 Squadron, can be seen preparing for takeoff and then flying into the dark.

Commander Kiely said of the exercise: “We need to be just as capable at air combat at night as we are by day.”

He further explained the most dangerous thing about flying in pitch-black darkness is not being able to rely on one’s sight, a pilot’s most valuable asset, which is why they require special training.

The pilots solely rely on the F-35’s equipment when operating the aircraft: an infrared-produced image that is replicated onto their helmets and night vision goggles.