Why the F-35 stealth jet is being protected during Exercise Pitch Black 24

Less than a minute after an NT News member snapped the photo, an Italian navy officer approached the photographer and took the camera’s SD card. Read why the card was held onto for 18 hours and see the picture.

This was one of the photos examined by the Italian navy after a number of pictures were taken. Picture: Pema Pakhrin.

Aboard Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour last week, an NT News cameraman snapped off more than a dozen shots as a roaring F-35 jet blasted into the skies above.

As the stealth jet disappeared into the clouds, an Italian officer approached the snapper and politely requested the camera’s SD card be handed over.

The request was expected.

Prior to boarding the aircraft carrier, media members were briefed all imagery and footage of the F-35 in action needed to be captured on a single SD card, which would then undergo a security check by military officials.

Any photographs or footage deemed inappropriate for possession would be deleted, while content assessed as satisfactory would be returned to its owner.

To highlight the distinct security measures being taken to protect the stealth jet, two AV-8B Harriers had touched down on deck minutes beforehand.

These photos were inspected and held onto for 18 hours before they were returned to media. Picture: Pema Pakhrin.

However, only the F-35s imagery interested the Italian officer and was subsequently taken for inspection.

About 18 hours after the imagery had been taken for examination, the SD card was returned to the NT News.

According to an aviator involved in flying activity Exercise Pitch Black 2024, the cagey examination was to ensure no sensitive details concerning the cutting edge aircraft is leaked to potential adversaries.

An image of the F-35. Picture: Pema Pakhrin.

The Italian navy’s thorough vetting of the images also followed special measures to protect the fifth-generation jet earlier this month at the RAAF Base Darwin open day, in which 30,000 visitors poured through the gates eager to get a glimpse of the assortment of jets on display.

The F-35 and F-22 jet displays – considered two of most advanced aircraft on Exercise Pitch Black 2024 – differed to the rest.

Only a couple nations are flying the F-35 in Exercise Pitch Black 24. Picture: Pema Pakhrin.

Fenced off with a 20-foot buffer, onlookers were resigned to admiring the two cutting edge jets from a distance, while all other jets could be examined from mere metres and some airframes could even be boarded for a tour.

Across the 20 nations participating in Pitch Black, only three services have dispatched F-35s.

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have F-35As operating out of RAAF Base Darwin, while the Italian navy have been launching F-35Bs from their aircraft carrier.

The Italian air force are flying both variants across the Top End.

The US F-22 Raptor is another stealth jet featuring in Exercise Pitch Black 24. Picture: Rodrigo Arangua.

The United States Air Force boast the F-22 Raptor, valued around US $350 million per aircraft, which shares similar qualities to the F-35 as a stealth jet and is operating out of RAAF Base Tindal for the duration of the exercise. Exercise Pitch Black 2024 marks 10 years since the F-35A was brought into the RAAF.

To date, more than AUD $4.1 billion in contracts have been awarded to Australian industry to progress the acquirement of 72 of the stealth jets, with more than 70 companies involved.

Originally published as Why the F-35 stealth jet is being protected during Exercise Pitch Black 24