The F-117A Nighthawk is the
world's first operational stealth technology. The unique design of the single-seat F-117A
provides exceptional combat capabilities. About the size of an F-15
Eagle, the twin-engine aircraft is powered by two General Electric
F404 turbofan engines and has quadruple redundant fly-by-wire flight
controls. Air refuelable, it supports worldwide commitments and adds
to the deterrent strength of the U.S. military forces.
The F-117A Nighthawk stealth fighter attack aircraft was developed by
Lockheed Martin after work on stealth technology, and the predecessor
test demonstrator aircraft, Have Blue, was carried out in secret from
1975. Development of the F-117A began in 1978 and it was first flown in
1981, but it was not until 1988 that its existence was publicly
announced.
The F-117 was to be replaced in the USAF by the F-22 Raptor before the F-22 programme was cancelled in 2009 and replaced with the cheaper and more versatile F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
The first 10 of the 55 F-117 aircraft in service were retired in
December 2006. A formal retirement ceremony took place at
Wright-Patterson AFB in March 2008.
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