description Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk Overview
The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk was an American single-seat aircraft developed for stealth attack missions. Built by Lockheed's Skunk Works, it used sharply faceted surfaces and specialized coatings to reduce radar detection, allowing it to approach defended targets with a smaller radar signature. The aircraft entered operational service in 1983, became publicly known in 1988, and was retired from active service in 2008.
help Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk FAQ
When did the F-117 Nighthawk first fly?
The first F-117 flight took place in 1981, after Lockheed's Skunk Works developed the aircraft under a highly secret program. The United States Air Force later reached initial operational capability with the type in 1983.
Why does the F-117 Nighthawk have such sharply angled surfaces?
The faceted surfaces were designed to scatter radar energy away from the transmitter rather than reflect it directly back. Special radar-absorbent coatings added another layer of low-observable protection.
Did the F-117 fight in the Gulf War?
Yes. F-117s attacked targets during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, including missions against heavily defended sites around Baghdad. The aircraft was designed for precision attack, not air-to-air combat.
When was the F-117 retired, and is it still a fighter?
The United States Air Force formally retired the F-117 in 2008. Despite the word fighter in its designation, it was a single-seat stealth attack aircraft with no operational air-to-air mission.
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