F-117A Nighthawk
Mission
The
F-117A Nighthawk is the world's first operational aircraft
designed to exploit low-observable stealth technology. This
precision-strike aircraft penetrates high-threat airspace and
uses laser-guided weapons against critical targets.
Features
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 U.S. military forces.
The
F-117A can employ a variety of weapons and is equipped with
sophisticated navigation and attack systems integrated into a
digital avionics suite that increases mission effectiveness and
reduces pilot workload. Detailed planning for missions into
highly defended target areas is accomplished by an automated
mission planning system developed, specifically, to take
advantage of the unique capabilities of the F-117A.
Background
The
F-117A production decision was made in 1978 with a contract
awarded to Lockheed Advanced Development Projects, the
"Skunk Works," in Burbank, Calif. The first flight
over the Nevada test ranges was on June 18, 1981, only 31 months
after the full-scale development decision. Streamlined
management by Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson Air
Force Base, Ohio, combined breakthrough stealth technology with
concurrent development and production to rapidly field the
aircraft.
The
first F-117A was delivered in 1982, and the last delivery was in
the summer of 1990. Air Combat Command's only F-117A unit, the
4450th Tactical Group, (now the 49th Fighter Wing, Holloman Air
Force Base, N.M.), achieved operational capability in October
1983.
During
Operation Desert Storm in 1991, F-117A's flew approximately
1,300 sorties and scored direct hits on 1,600 high-value targets
in Iraq. It was the only U.S. or coalition aircraft to strike
targets in downtown Baghdad. Since moving to Holloman AFB in
1992, the F-117A and the men and women of the 49th Fighter Wing
have deployed to Southwest Asia more than once. On their first
trip, the F-117s flew non-stop from Holloman to Kuwait, a flight
of approximately 18.5 hours -- a record for single-seat fighters
that stands today.
In
1999, 24 F-117A's deployed to Aviano Air Base, Italy, and
Spangdahlem AB, Germany, to support NATO's Operation Allied
Force. The aircraft led the first Allied air strike against
Yugoslavia on March 24, 1999.
The
F-117A program demonstrates that stealth aircraft can be
designed for reliability and maintainability. It created a
revolution in military warfare by incorporating low-observable
technology into operational aircraft. The aircraft receives
support through a Lockheed-Martin contract known as Total System
Sustainment Partnership.p.
General
Characteristics
Primary
Function: Fighter/attack
Contractor: Lockheed Aeronautical Systems Co.
Power Plant: Two General Electric F404 non-afterburning
engines
Length: 63 feet, 9 inches (19.4 meters)
Height: 12 feet, 9.5 inches (3.9 meters)
Weight: 52,500 pounds (23,625 kilograms)
Wingspan: 43 feet, 4 inches (13.2 meters)
Speed: High subsonic
Range: Unlimited with air refueling
Armament: Internal weapons carriage
Unit Cost: $45 million
Crew: One
Date Deployed: 1982
Inventory: Active force, 55; ANG, 0; Reserve, 0 |
