Watch the F-35 Fighter Jet Make Its First Public Flight

[Narrator] The F35 is the most expensive

weapons system ever, so this is a moment that's been

a long, long time coming for the fighter jet

that's supposed to modernize aviation warfare.

The after burner takeoff at the world-renowned

Paris Air Show was the start of a kind of victory lap.

This is the first time the plane's been publicly

put through its paces.

It's an attempt, at least in part,

to disprove reports that the place isn't maneuverable.

The fully combat-ready F35 flew a square loop,

meaning super tight corners, to show off aggressive,

hurl-inducing turns.

The pilot then looped back, past the crowd below,

to demonstrate a slow speed pass and a vertical climb

with a back flip, followed by another incredibly steep climb

to show off the abilities of the computer flight control

system and the high angle of attack.

Finally, a minimum radius turn shows how the powerful

engine allows a full 360.

Right now, with the pilot pulling seven Gs,

but eventually that will go up to nine Gs.

The whole flight lasted only six minutes

but it's an impressive and much needed demonstration

from a plane that for 19 years of development

has been more of a symbol of defense contract failure.

The F35 comes in three variants for the Air Force,

the Marines, and the Navy, and it's supposed to be sold

around the world.

It flew for the very first time back in 2006

but the Pentagon started the project in 1996.

These earlier flights are far tamer than the latest demo.

Lockheed Martin builds the plane in Fort Worth, Texas,

and it's supposed to do it all, air to air combat,

air to ground, and reconnaissance.

But in many ways, it's become a compromise plane.

One size may fit all, but it doesn't fit everyone well

and that's despite delays and blown budgets.

When it finally sees active service, F35 pilots will have

the very latest technology, from stealthy flight

to augmented reality with a head-up display built into

the helmets, streaming images from cameras around

the aircraft for that eyes-in-the-back-of-your-head feeling.

Flashy aerobatics are all well and good

but this plane needs to sell and there is good news

for Lockheed on that front from Paris too, it's on the verge

of $37 billion worth of deals with 11 nations.

Perhaps the F35 can finally fully enter service

and use some of its new moves in combat.