✈️ Aircraft Specifications
| Designation | F-117A |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Skunk Works |
| Country of Origin | United States |
| First Flight | 1981 |
| Length | 20.09 m (65.9 ft) |
| Max Speed (Mach) | 0.92 |
| Max Speed (km/h) | 1,040 km/h |
| Service Ceiling | 13,716 m (45,002 ft) |
| Range | 1,720 km (1,068 mi) |
| Engine | 2x General Electric F404-GE-F1D2 turbofans |
| Crew | 1 |
| Status | Retired |
Overview
The F-117 Nighthawk was the world’s first operational stealth aircraft—a revolutionary design that was virtually invisible to radar. Despite its F-designation, it was actually a ground attack aircraft, not a fighter. Its faceted angular design, created before curved stealth was computationally feasible, made it look like something from science fiction.
Design & Development
Developed in complete secrecy at Lockheed’s Skunk Works under the code name ‘Have Blue,’ the F-117 used flat, angled surfaces to deflect radar waves away from the source rather than back to it. Every edge, inlet, and exhaust was designed to minimize radar return. The entire surface was covered in radar-absorbing material (RAM). The aircraft had no radar of its own—it was completely passive, relying on pre-programmed coordinates and infrared targeting.
Operational History
First flying in 1981 but not publicly acknowledged until 1988, the F-117 saw its combat debut in the 1989 Panama invasion. In the 1991 Gulf War, F-117s flew only 2% of combat sorties but struck 40% of strategic targets. It was the only aircraft trusted to strike downtown Baghdad on the opening night. One F-117 was famously shot down over Serbia in 1999—the only stealth aircraft combat loss—by a modified SA-3 missile guided by innovative Serbian tactics. Retired in 2008.
Armament
- 2× GBU-27 Paveway III (2,000 lb laser-guided bombs, internal)
- GBU-10 Paveway II
- B61 nuclear bomb
Only 2 weapons in internal bays. No gun, no air-to-air missiles. Pure precision strike.
Video
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast is the F-117?
The F-117 was subsonic at Mach 0.92 (617 mph). Speed was sacrificed for stealth — its faceted design prioritized radar evasion.
Was an F-117 ever shot down?
Yes. On March 27, 1999, during the Kosovo War, a Serbian SA-3 battery shot down an F-117. The pilot ejected safely. It remains the only stealth aircraft shot down in combat.
How many F-117s were built?
64 F-117s were built (5 prototypes + 59 production).
Is the F-117 still in service?
Officially retired in 2008, but some continue flying in classified testing roles.