F-117 NighthawkThe F-117 is the world's first operational stealth aircraft. Through a combination of faceted surfaces, advanced materials, and other technologies, the Nighthawk is virtually undetectable to radar. With precision weapons, the F-117 can destroy heavily defended, high-value targets with impunity. Essentially designed by electrical engineers, the F-117 is inherently unstable and stays airborne through a sophisticated flight control system. The original cockpit design used many off-the-shelf components, such as F/A-18 displays. A complete set of standby flight instruments is included as a backup. Plastic glareshield extensions are used to minimize instrument reflections on the flat canopy side panes.
Manufacturer: Lockheed
Type: Attack
Number Built: 64 (59 operational)
First Flight: 18 June 1981 (F-117A)
In Service: 1983 – Present
Notable: US Air Force F-117 pilots open Operation Desert Storm on 17 January 1991 by striking priority targets in Baghdad, the most heavily defended city in the world, and by destroying Iraq's air defense system with no losses, proving stealth technology indispensable.
Photographer/Location: Paul Weatherman/Palmdale, California