This is time-lapsed, of course. A real F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet doesn’t get built in the time it takes you to heat up last night’s leftovers. Nonetheless, it’s a fascinating peek into how military aircraft goes from a blueprint to the blue skies, and just how many skilled professionals are involved in manufacturing one (in this case, one lone Super Hornet fetches about $52 million).

The following took place at Boeing’s St. Louis, Missouri plant. As Foxtrot Alpha points out, it was once McDonnell Douglas’ place where classics like the F-15, F-4 as well as the Mercury and Gemini space capsules were churned out.

The particular model you’ll see being built is actually for Australia’s military.