F-35 First Night Flight video

On Jan. 19, 2012, the Lockheed Martin F-35A CTOL (Convetional Take Off and Landing) performed its very first night flight launching from Edwards Air Force Base, California.

Piloted by Lockheed Martin Test Pilot Mark Ward, the aircraft AF-6, launched at 17.05LT and landed after sunset at 18:22 LT. An F-16 chase plane accompanied the Joint Strike Fighter during its first after dark sortie.

Note the green night formation lights, used by combat plane flying in close formation.