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.
