Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk
The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk is a retired American single-seat, twin-engine stealth attack aircraft developed by Lockheed Skunk Works.
Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk - American Aircraft - Post-WW2

Time Period: Post-WW2
Country of Origin: United States
Type: Stealth Attack Aircraft
Manufacturer: Lockheed Skunk Works

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Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk Aircraft Overview

The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk is a single-seat, twin-engine stealth fighter aircraft that was developed by the Lockheed Corporation in the 1970s and 1980s. It was designed to evade detection by radar systems, making it extremely difficult to track and target.

The F-117 Nighthawk features a unique faceted design and a coating of radar-absorbent material, which helps to reduce its radar signature. The aircraft was first used in combat during the Gulf War in 1991, where it was used to attack high-value targets with precision-guided bombs. The F-117 Nighthawk was retired from active service in 2008, and was replaced by newer stealth aircraft such as the F-22 Raptor and the F-35 Lightning II.

Despite its retirement, the F-117 Nighthawk remains an important part of aviation history, and is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and advanced aircraft designs of its time.

Lockheed F-117A Specifications

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 65 ft 11 in (20.09 m)
  • Wingspan: 43 ft 4 in (13.21 m)
  • Height: 12 ft 5 in (3.78 m)
  • Wing area: 780 sq ft (72 m2) 
  • Airfoil: Lozenge section, 3 flats Upper, 2 flats Lower
  • Empty weight: 29,500 lb (13,381 kg) 
  • Max takeoff weight: 52,500 lb (23,814 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × General Electric F404-F1D2 turbofan engines, 9,040 lbf (40.2 kN) thrust each

Lockheed F-117A Performance

  • Maximum speed: 594 kn (684 mph, 1,100 km/h)
  • Maximum speed: Mach 0.92
  • Range: 930 nmi (1,070 mi, 1,720 km)
  • Service ceiling: 45,000 ft (14,000 m)
  • Wing loading: 67.3 lb/sq ft (329 kg/m2) calculated from
  • Thrust/weight: 0.40.

Lockheed F-117A Armament

  • 2 × internal weapons bays with one hardpoint each (total of two weapons) equipped to carry:
  • Bombs:
    • GBU-10 Paveway II laser-guided bomb with 2,000 lb (910 kg) Mk84 blast/fragmentation or BLU-109 or BLU-116 Penetrator warhead
    • GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bomb with 500 lb (230 kg) Mk82 blast/fragmentation warhead
    • GBU-27 Paveway III laser-guided bomb with 2,000 lb (910 kg) Mk84 blast-fragmentation or BLU-109 or BLU-116 Penetrator warhead
    • GBU-31 JDAM INS/GPS guided munition with 2,000 lb (910 kg) Mk84 blast-frag or BLU-109 Penetrator warhead
    • B61 nuclear bomb.

Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk Image Gallery

Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk - American Aircraft

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