Difference between revisions of "F-117 Nighthawk"
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| − | [[Image:f117.jpg|thumb|right]] | + | [[Image:f117.jpg|300px|thumb|right|F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter]] |
| − | + | [[File:F-117 Stealth Fighter Serbia 1999.PNG|right|300px|thumb|10 years after its initial deployment, a $500 million F-117 Stealth Fighter was shot down by a 1950s Soviet era S-125 missile in the [[NATO war in Serbia]]. The S-125 missile defense system, now long out of production, resell for about $250,000 given their proven performance record. Production of the F-117 was shortly abandoned afterward.]] | |
| − | The Lockheed '''F-117A Nighthawk''' was the world's first operational aircraft based entirely on [[stealth technology]]. It was designed in the late 1970s by the highly creative [[Skunk Works]] engineering team at [[Lockheed Martin]], and first manufactured in 1981. It is flown exclusively by [[United States Air Force]]. They are nearly invulnerable, which softens their price tag of $40 million somewhat. | + | The Lockheed '''F-117A Nighthawk''' was the world's first operational aircraft based entirely on [[stealth technology]].<ref>Stealth technology was invented by Pyotr Ufimtsev, a Soviet Russian electrical engineer and mathematical physicist.</ref> It was designed in the late 1970s by the highly creative [[Skunk Works]] engineering team at [[Lockheed Martin]], and first manufactured in 1981. It is flown exclusively by [[United States Air Force]]. They are nearly invulnerable, which softens their price tag of $40 million somewhat. |
Its "F-" label, usually reserved for fighters, may be for political purposes. The F-117A is not a fighter aircraft but is a "ground-attack" aircraft designed for precision bombing. However, the "F-" label is more politically popular and also may attract better pilots. | Its "F-" label, usually reserved for fighters, may be for political purposes. The F-117A is not a fighter aircraft but is a "ground-attack" aircraft designed for precision bombing. However, the "F-" label is more politically popular and also may attract better pilots. | ||
| − | The F-117 has performed admirably in the [[Persian Gulf War]], and in [[Afghanistan]]. During [[Operation Desert Storm]], the "Wobblin' [[Goblin]]s (named thus because of their unsteady, wobbly flight) operated from the [[Nevada]] [[desert]], relying on [[KC-135]] tanker aircraft to strike [[Iraq]]. They were the only coalition aircraft to bomb [[Baghdad]]. Only one has been lost in combat. It was shot down by Serbian air | + | The F-117 has performed admirably in the [[Persian Gulf War]], and in [[Afghanistan]]. During [[Operation Desert Storm]], the "Wobblin' [[Goblin]]s (named thus because of their unsteady, wobbly flight) operated from the [[Nevada]] [[desert]], relying on [[KC-135]] tanker aircraft to strike [[Iraq]]. They were the only coalition aircraft to bomb [[Baghdad]]. Only one has been lost in combat. It was shot down by Serbian air defenses with a Russian-made radar guided SA-3 Goa missile during the [[Kosovo]] campaign in 1999 [http://www.knowledgerush.com/kr/encyclopedia/F-117_stealth_bomber/][http://www.afhra.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-070912-043.pdf]. |
| − | The Air Force retired the F-117 on April 22 2008 and replaced it with the [[F-22 Raptor]]. | + | The Air Force retired the F-117 on April 22, 2008 and replaced it with the [[F-22 Raptor]]. |
Type: Stealth light bomber | Type: Stealth light bomber | ||
| − | Performance: 646 mph | + | Performance: 646 mph |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | Dimensions: Length-66 ft. Wingspan-43 ft. | |
| − | + | Powerplant: Two 10,800 lbs of thrust [[General Electric]] turbofans | |
| + | Armament: 2,000 lbs of [[laser]] guided bombs plus tactical munitions dispensers, missiles, and [[nuclear]] bombs | ||
| + | {{clear}} | ||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | {{reflist}} | ||
==Links== | ==Links== | ||
*[http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/f-117.htm F-117 Nighthawk] at FAS.org | *[http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/f-117.htm F-117 Nighthawk] at FAS.org | ||
*[http://www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=104 Air Force factsheet] | *[http://www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=104 Air Force factsheet] | ||
*[http://www.f-117a.com/], a site devoted to the F-117 | *[http://www.f-117a.com/], a site devoted to the F-117 | ||
| − | [[Category:Aircraft]] | + | |
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| + | [[Category:Military Aircraft]] | ||
[[Category:United States Air Force]] | [[Category:United States Air Force]] | ||
Latest revision as of 23:38, June 17, 2024
The Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk was the world's first operational aircraft based entirely on stealth technology.[1] It was designed in the late 1970s by the highly creative Skunk Works engineering team at Lockheed Martin, and first manufactured in 1981. It is flown exclusively by United States Air Force. They are nearly invulnerable, which softens their price tag of $40 million somewhat.
Its "F-" label, usually reserved for fighters, may be for political purposes. The F-117A is not a fighter aircraft but is a "ground-attack" aircraft designed for precision bombing. However, the "F-" label is more politically popular and also may attract better pilots.
The F-117 has performed admirably in the Persian Gulf War, and in Afghanistan. During Operation Desert Storm, the "Wobblin' Goblins (named thus because of their unsteady, wobbly flight) operated from the Nevada desert, relying on KC-135 tanker aircraft to strike Iraq. They were the only coalition aircraft to bomb Baghdad. Only one has been lost in combat. It was shot down by Serbian air defenses with a Russian-made radar guided SA-3 Goa missile during the Kosovo campaign in 1999 [1][2].
The Air Force retired the F-117 on April 22, 2008 and replaced it with the F-22 Raptor.
Type: Stealth light bomber
Performance: 646 mph
Dimensions: Length-66 ft. Wingspan-43 ft.
Powerplant: Two 10,800 lbs of thrust General Electric turbofans
Armament: 2,000 lbs of laser guided bombs plus tactical munitions dispensers, missiles, and nuclear bombs
References
- ↑ Stealth technology was invented by Pyotr Ufimtsev, a Soviet Russian electrical engineer and mathematical physicist.
Links
- F-117 Nighthawk at FAS.org
- Air Force factsheet
- [3], a site devoted to the F-117