The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk is a retired American single-seat, subsonic, twin-engined, stealth attack aircraft developed by Lockheed 's secretive Skunk Works division and operated by the United States Air Force (USAF).

Discover the F-117 Nighthawk, the world's first operational stealth aircraft, revolutionizing aerial warfare with its innovative capabilities and iconic design.

Mar 26, 2024 · The United States Air Force officially “retired” the F-117A Nighthawk from active service in 2007—yet, the single-seat, subsonic twin-engine stealth attack aircraft developed by Lockheed’s ...

The Lockheed F-117A was developed in response to an Air Force request for an aircraft capable of attacking high value targets without being detected by enemy radar. By the 1970s, new materials and techniques allowed engineers to design an …

Mar 30, 2025 · F-117, single-seat, twin-engine jet fighter-bomber built by the Lockheed Corporation (now part of the Lockheed Martin Corporation) for the U.S. Air Force. It was the first stealth aircraft—i.e., an aircraft designed entirely around the concept of evading detection by radar and other sensors.

Only Aircraft Allowed to Strike Targets Inside Baghdad’s City Limits. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) awards Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® the contract for Have Blue, the stealth demonstrator that would lead to the F-117A Nighthawk. (April 1976) Have Blue takes its first flight over the Nevada skies. (December 1977)

The entry into service of the Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk is a pivotal moment in aviation history. As the world’s first operational stealth aircraft, it ushered in a complete paradigm shift in air warfare.

Jul 20, 2020 · 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.

Nov 24, 2024 · Key Points: The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk revolutionized military aviation with its groundbreaking stealth and precision targeting capabilities. Debuting secretly in 1983 and publicly revealed in 1988, the F-117 first saw combat in Panama in 1989, disorienting enemy forces for U.S. special operations.

First-generation stealth attack aircraft. Power Plant: two General Electric F404-GE-F1D2 nonafterburning turbojets, each 9,040 lb thrust. Performance: Speed 0.9 Mach, mission radius unrefueled (5,000-lb weapons load) 656 miles. Armament: Full internal carriage of a variety of tactical weapons, incl laser- and GPS-guided 2,000-lb munitions.