However, the Nighthawk was the first operational aircraft to be designed with stealth technology.
However, it wasnt until 1988 that the Air Force officially acknowledged its existence.
A total of 64 including five YR-117A prototypes and 59 F-117As were produced.
In the early 1980’s, the Air Force Flight Test Center teamed with Lockheed to complete the development test and evaluation of the F-117A stealth fighter. Image: U.S.A.F.
Only the one now in Serbia was ever officially lost in combat.
A Mislabeled Warrior?
That designation has confused aviation buffs since it was officially unveiled to the public.
An F-117 Nighthawk engages its target and drops a GBU-28 guided bomb unit during the “live-fire” weapons testing mission COMBAT HAMMER, at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Image: NARA
There was also lot of misdirection with the aircraft, Bell added.
The F-117 may not have been a dogfighter, but that was never the point.
Personalities and culture perhaps at the time, pondered Curran.
F-117 stealth fighter aircraft of the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing stand on the flight line with canopies raised following their return from Saudi Arabia where they took part in Operation Desert Storm. Image: NARA
Attract a greater number of pilots from the fighter community?
The ability to get funding from other programs or new funding from Congress because fighter line items are bigger?
The United States saw that over the horizon was how most aircraft would engage with one another.
U.S.A.F. SSgt Shawn Canionero maintains flight line security while an F-117 Nighthawk is refueled. Image: NARA
The parts were even described as spares in various budget requests to help keep the program a secret.
Did great in combat, especially the opening night of the first Gulf War, said Curran.
It was far from a traditional-looking aircraft even by todays standards.
Air-to-air side view of an F-117 Nighthawk Stealth fighter during a training mission in January 1991. Image: NARA
Even today, some radar still cant see it, said Bell.
You could almost put a bomb through a window.
That meant you didnt need to have an entire section of bombers, Bell continued.
Crew members at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, prepare an F-117 Nighthawk aircraft for deployment to Operation DESERT STRIKE. Image: NARA
The Internal bomb bay that could carry laser-guided ordnance, especially the ground penetrators, Curran added.
All of that was in full display during the 1991 Gulf War.
That is certainly what happened in Iraq, as the F-117 went after their command targets.
U.S.A.F. SSgt John Chandler receives a quick debrief from pilot Capt. Lou Alden after flying a mission in his F-117 aircraft at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea (ROK). Image: NARA
It decapitated Iraq almost immediately.
That was as close to how it would have been used against the Soviet Union.
Even those aircraft are now being fully demilitarized while several have been sent to museums.
A 37th Tactical Fighter Wing F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter aircraft lands during Operation Desert Storm. Image: NARA
As a footnote to the story of Something Wicked, the aircrafts pilot, Lt.
The former Serbian commander opened a bakery and through his son contacted the retired Air Force pilot.
The two eventually met up and didnt just break bread, but reportedly baked some together at Danis bakery.
A KC-10 Extender refuels a Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk on August 29, 1996. Image: NARA
An F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter takes off for a mission from Kunsan Air Base, Korea (KOR). Image: U.S.A.F./SSgt Michael Holzworth
A1C Robert Armstrong helps LtCol James E. Brown, an F-117 pilot, prepare for departure from Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH 1998. Image: NARA
A1C Frank Quijano, from the 49th Maintenance Squadron, inspects the cockpit of his F-117 Nighthawk during an Operational Readiness Inspection on Nov. 3, 2004. Image: U.S.A.F./TSgt James R. Hart Jr.
SSgt David Owings communicates with Maj Joe Bowley during a preflight check of this F-117 stealth aircraft in preparation for redeployment after the Gulf War. Image: NARA
A pair of F-117 Nighthawks assigned to the 8th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Wing launch at dawn at Ahmed Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH 1998. Image: NARA
