Difference between revisions of "F-117 Nighthawk"
PaulBurnett (talk | contribs) (On March 12, 2010, the article says "The Air Force plans to retire the F-117 between 2006 and 2008." I will update.) |
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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]]. | + | 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 defences with a soviet made radar guided SA-3 Goa missle during the [[Kosovo]] campaign in 1999. |
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]]. | ||
Revision as of 16:29, May 17, 2010
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.
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 defences with a soviet made radar guided SA-3 Goa missle during the Kosovo campaign in 1999.
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
Links
- F-117 Nighthawk at FAS.org
- Air Force factsheet
- [1], a site devoted to the F-117