| Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| ||
| Description | ||
| Role | stealth attack aircraft | |
| Crew | 1 | |
| Passengers | 0 | |
| First flight | 1981 (1977 Have Blue prototype ) | |
| Entered service | 1983 | |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin | |
| Produced | 64 | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 20,08 m | |
| Wingspan | 13,20 m | |
| Height | 3,78 m | |
| Wing area | 105,9 m² | |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | 13381 kg | |
| Loaded | ||
| Maximum takeoff | 23814 kg | |
| Powerplant | ||
| Engine | ||
| Power (each) | 2 × 48,06 kN | |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed | 1040 km/h | |
| Cruising speed | ||
| Range |
2110 km |
|
| Ceiling | 15560 m | |
| Rate of climb | ||
The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk is a ground attack aircraft and strike fighter. It was the first aircaft with real good stealth capabilities, and was in use with the United States Air Force from 1983-2008. The F-117 has been replaced by the F-22 Raptor.
Description[]
The development of the F-117 Nighthawk began in the 1970s by Lockheed Advanced Development Projects Unit (Skunk Works). The Have Blue prototype was first flown on 1st December 1977. After the crash on 4th May 1978, the second prototype was used for testing. The F-117 entered full service capability in 1983. It was first used in war theatre in 1989, all in all it had flown over 1270 missions and only one was downed. The parts of the destroyed plane were given Russian ingeneurs and the results of studying it were used on the Sukhoi PAK-FA. The stealth of the F-117 is increased through the faceted design and the Radar absorbing material ( RAM ), but because it decreases the aerodynamics this design is not used on newer aircraft like the B-2. However the Flying Wing design decreases the stability of an aircraft stongly ( only newer stealth aircraft like the F-22 are stable, while they have no flying wing design ) , because of that advanced fly-by-wire systems are used. The F-117 had been replaced by the F-22 because it has the ability to supercruise, what allows it to fly bombing raids at a much higher speed, while the F-117 can fly missions only at subsonic speeds and a more advanced stealth design.
Other Appearances[]
The F-117 Nighthawk makes an appearance in Hip Game's' Counter Terrorist Special Forces: Fire For Effect. However; it is designated as S-478.