F-117A Nighthawk

The F-117A Nighthawk, the first true stealth aircraft in the world. Nick-named the "Wobbly Gobblin" by it's pilots due to it's ungainly handling characteristics and "Shiba" (Ghost) by Iraqi soldiers in Desert Storm, this aircraft is invisible to all modern and state-of-the-art radars in the world. Some have claimed with extremely advanced radars they've recieved "blips" at close-range, but this is only rumour.

This aircraft was developed for the specific purpose of deep interdiction and attacking targets that conventional military aircraft wouldn't be able to reach due to enemy anti-aircraft defenses on the ground and in the air. It has a lazer designator and FLIR sensor which enables the aircraft to use JDAM munitions. Otherwise known as "bunker-busters". These weapons are normally about 2000lbs each, sometimes 1000 for smaller targets.

The F-117 was developed during the ending decade of the cold-war. It's first flight was in 1981 but it's existence wasn't made public or acknowledged until many years later. Shortly after, the B-2 Spirit Strategic Intercontinental bomber was flown also.

The aircraft is controlled by a fly-by-wire system and an advanced computer system which constantly monitors the aircrafts flight and makes hundreds of tiny adjustments in turn with the pilots inputs to keep the aircraft flying. It's the equivalent of a technological bumble-bee. Not really made to fly. If the computer wasn't there to make the minute adjustments, the pilot would loose control of the aircraft and most likely crash into the ground.

Although many of the aircraft's features are still highly classified, we do know it is a subsonic aircraft. This means it can't fly faster than the speed of sound, or "mach" speed. It doesn't really need to, honestly. The sky is a pretty big place, and this plane only flies at night, since it's black. It is also piloted by only the BEST of the United States Airforce, hand-picked personnel who are chosen because of thier inherent abilities and instincts, and thier attitude. These aircraft were used to devastating effect in Desert Storm, attacking everything from heavily defended bunkers to bridges, canals, AA emplacements, factories and large masses of troops and armoured columns. The aircraft traditionally is only employed to attack "hardened" targets deep in enemy territory, normally not accessible by any other means. Alone, in the night they go, undetected and drop thier bombs. No support, no backup, no escape except thier invisibility.

Some high-resolution pictures for you, might take time to load if you have dial-up or slow connection.

The F-117A Nighthawk

Destructive capability of the F-117A armed with "JDAM" weaponry

B-2 Spirit in the forefront, F-117A's in the rear



