F-117 Nighthawk

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 Afganistan. Only one has been lost in combat. It was shot down by Serbian artillery during the Kovoso campaign in 1999.

The Air Force plans to retire the F-117 between 2006 and 2008. No new pilots will be trained on that aircraft afterwards. It will be replaced by the F-22 Raptor, and the funds used to maintain it will go to the Raptor instead.