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Mission
The F-117A Nighthawk is the world's first operational aircraft designed
to exploit low-observable stealth technology.
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 the 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 state-of-the-art 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 first F-117A
was delivered in 1982, and the last delivery was in the summer of 1990.
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 was in 1981, only 31
months after the full-scale development decision. 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.
Streamlined management by Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson
AFB, Ohio, combined breakthrough stealth technology with concurrent development
and production to rapidly field the aircraft. The F-117A program has
demonstrated that a stealth aircraft can be designed for reliability
and maintainability. The aircraft maintenance statistics are comparable
to other tactical fighters of similar complexity. Logistically supported
by Sacramento Air Logistics Center, McClellan AFB, Calif., the F-117A
is kept at the forefront of technology through a planned weapon system
improvement program located at USAF Plant 42 at Palmdale, Calif.
General Characteristics
Primary Function: Fighter/attack
Contractor: Lockheed Aeronautical Systems Co.
Power Plant: Two General Electric F404 engines
Length: 65 feet, 11 inches (20.3 meters)
Height: 12 feet, 5 inches (3.8 meters)
Weight: 52,500 pounds (23,625 kilograms)
Wingspan: 43 feet, 4 inches (13.3 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, 54; ANG, 0; Reserve, 0
Point Of Contact
Air Combat Command , Public Affairs
Office; 115 Thompson St., Suite 211; Langley AFB, VA 23665-1987; DSN
574-5014 or (804) 764-5014; e-mail: accpai@hqaccpa.langley.af.mil
Above Information Courtesy
of United States Air Force
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