AFAIK flying F-35s near potential lightning strikes is an issue to be solved. However even the USAF these days are (earlier USN/USMC were) night flying - considered to be IMC last I knew. Getting good photos in cloud is probably a little difficult but I guess modern technology should be up to it these days.
Not to disappoint but here is a news item:
Glavy: No F-35 Vertical Landing At Farnborough Due To Ongoing Mat Tests Inside the Navy - 12 May 2014
"Testing on the matting needed to support an F-35B Joint Strike Fighter vertical landing won't be complete before the aircraft's planned international debut at the Farnborough International Air Show in the United Kingdom this summer, the Marine Corps' deputy assistant commandant for aviation told reporters last week...."
SOURCE: Login OR
http://defensenewsstand.com/index.ph...=10&Itemid=412
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FWIW:
Air Force F-35A Makes First Nighttime Flight 03 Apr 2014 Shane McGlaun (Blog)
http://www.dailytech.com/Air+Force+F...ticle34649.htm
"Marine and Navy pilots took first night flights in January
An F-35A fighter took off from Eglin Air Force Base on its first nighttime training mission late last month. Prior to this flight, the Air Force version of the advanced fighter was prohibited from operating at night or during adverse weather.
One of the issues which prohibited nighttime flights involved symbols displayed to the pilot that traditionally differ between the Air Force and Navy/Marines versions of aircraft. The Air Force has a different airworthiness authority, AFLCMC, than the NAVAIR standards already incorporated into the F-35 night systems.
“Back in [training] the displays the pilots were looking at were confusing to Air Force pilots but not confusing to Navy and Marine Corps pilots because a lot of the symbology was of Navy origin," described Air Force Lt. Gen. Chris Bogdan.
To get around this issue, the Air Force trained 15 pilots on simulators at Elgin and at the plant in Ft. Worth until the Air Force was sure its pilots were ready for night operations...."
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Weather Certification A Boon To Qualified F-35 Pilots At Eglin AFB Inside the Air Force - 25 Apr 2014
"The recent decision to clear the F-35A for flight in cloud cover or other weather has had an immediate positive effect on Joint Strike Fighter operators in Florida, with pilots who are already qualified in the aircraft able to take advantage of sorties that had been canceled in the past...."
http://defensenewsstand.com/index.ph...=10&Itemid=412