The F-117A Nighthawk is the world's first
operational aircraft designed to exploit low-observable stealth technology. The unique design of the single-seat F-117A provides exceptional combat capabilities. About the size of an F-15 Eagle, the twin-engine aircraft is powered by two General Electric F404 turbofan engines and has quadruple redundant fly-by-wire flight controls. Air refuelable, it supports worldwide commitments and adds to the deterrent strength of the U.S. military forces.
The F-117A can employ a variety of weapons and is equipped with
sophisticated navigation and attack systems integrated into a state-of-the-art digital avionics suite that increases mission effectiveness and reduces pilot workload. Detailed planning for missions into highly defended target areas is
accomplished by an automated mission planning system developed, specifically, to take advantage of the unique capabilities of the F-117A.
an example of the F-117A in action was during the NATO bombing campaign of Serbia. The Serb military air defence missiles shot down the F-117A Nighthawk about 30 miles (45 km) west of Belgrade. The F-117A has been confirmed that the features and stealth
technology makes it invisibile to radar. The F-117A has never before gone down in combat until the 27 march 1999. The Serbian milliary estimates that in the total war they shot down
More than 100 Nato planes, including US stealth bombers, F-15 and F-16
fighter jets.
