What Is The F-117 Nighthawk?
F-117 Nighthawk. The world’s first operational stealth aircraft, using faceted radar-reflecting panels to strike key targets unseen.
United States
Origin
Stealth attack
Role
Mach 0.92
Top speed
13,700 m
Service ceiling
F-117 Nighthawk Specifications
The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk was the world’s first operational stealth strike aircraft. It is designed with radar-reflecting faceted surfaces and radar-absorbent materials, and it carried 5,000 lbs of laser-guided bombs internally, delivering surgical strikes during Desert Storm without radar detection.
Performance
Top speed
610 mph (Mach 0.92)
Service ceiling
45,000 ft (13,700 m)
Combat radius
460 nmi (860 km)
Rate of climb
4,000 ft/min (20 m/s)
Airframe
Crew
1
Length
65 ft 11 in (20.09 m)
Wingspan
43 ft 4 in (13.20 m)
Empty weight
29,500 lbs (13,381 kg)
Engine
2x General Electric F404-F1D2 non-afterburning turbofans
Service
First flight
18 June 1981
Unit cost
$42.6 million
Operators
United States (USAF - Retired/Limited Aggressor Use)
What Weapons Does The F-117 Nighthawk Carry?
The f-117 Nighthawk is equipped with an internal weapons bay holding two 2,000 lb GBU-27 laser-guided bombs or AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles, featuring no defensive air-to-air missiles or gun pods to maintain stealth.
Weapon
Category
Loadout
Range
GBU-27 Paveway III
Category
Precision-Guided Bomb (Laser)
Loadout
Up to 2 bombs
Range
Gravity released
GBU-10 Paveway II
Category
Precision-Guided Bomb (Laser)
Loadout
Up to 2 bombs
Range
Gravity released
BLU-109
Category
Penetrator Bomb
Loadout
Up to 2 bombs
Range
Gravity released
GBU-31 JDAM
Category
Precision-Guided Bomb (GPS)
Loadout
Up to 2 bombs
Range
24 km (15 miles)
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
Category
Loadout
Range
How Fast Is The F-117 Nighthawk?
The F-117 is subsonic, topping out at around Mach 0.92 or 684 mph. Speed was never the point. Its faceted shape, designed on 1970s computing power that could only model flat surfaces, made it aerodynamically unstable and heavily reliant on fly-by-wire. Everything about the aircraft was subordinated to remaining invisible to radar, including the loss of afterburners, which would have created an unacceptable infrared signature.
How Was The F-117 Nighthawk Developed?
The programme began as Have Blue, a secret Lockheed Skunk Works project built on Soviet physicist Pyotr Ufimtsev's published work on radar wave diffraction. Lockheed engineers used it to calculate how flat panels could deflect radar energy away from its source. The first F-117 flew on 18 June 1981 from Groom Lake, and the type operated in complete secrecy until the US government acknowledged its existence in November 1988.
Has The F-117 Nighthawk Seen Combat?
The F-117 debuted in the 1989 invasion of Panama and played a central role in the 1991 Gulf War, striking heavily defended Baghdad targets on the opening night. It flew over Kosovo in 1999, where a Serbian S-125 battery downed one – the only combat loss of the type. It was formally retired in 2008, though airframes have since been observed flying in test and aggressor roles.
Who Operates The F-117 Nighthawk?
The United States Air Force was the sole operator, flying 59 production aircraft. Export was never permitted. Officially retired in April 2008, a number of airframes have been retained in flyable storage and continue to appear in training exercises over Nevada and California.
F-117 Nighthawk FAQs
Common questions about the F-117 Nighthawk, its capabilities and whether civilians can fly it.
Can I fly in the F-117 Nighthawk as a civilian?
No, the F-117 Nighthawk is not available for civilian passenger flights. Jetify offers flights in ex-military aircraft that have been demilitarised and placed on a civil register, such as the L-39 Albatros, Hawker Hunter and MiG-15 Fagot, across 7 aircraft types from 11 airfields in 7 countries.
Can I take the controls of the F-117 Nighthawk?
No, you cannot take the controls of the F-117 Nighthawk, because it is not available for civilian passenger flights. On the aircraft Jetify does operate, such as the L-39 Albatros, most allow you to take the controls in level flight and gentle turns once your pilot is satisfied you are comfortable.
How much does a flight in the F-117 Nighthawk cost?
The F-117 Nighthawk is not available for civilian passenger flights, so there is no price for a flight in one. Jetify flights in jets such as the L-39 Albatros start from around £2,500, $3,300 or €2,900, while the MiG-15 Fagot, Aermacchi S.211 and Lockheed T-33 start from around £2,800 ($3,800, €3,400). The Hawker Hunter, the fastest aircraft currently bookable, starts from around £6,400, $8,500 or €7,600. Every price is per person and includes ground school, flight suit, helmet and pre-flight medical screening.
Are there weight limits on a jet flight instead of the F-117 Nighthawk?
The F-117 Nighthawk is not available for civilian passenger flights, but all jet flight experiences enforce strict height and weight limits set by ejection seat clearances, cockpit dimensions and harness fit. Height is typically 5ft 2in (157 cm) to 6ft 4in (193 cm), and weight is generally capped at 16 st 7 lb to 18 st 12 lb (105 kg to 120 kg) depending on the aircraft. You also need normal cardiovascular health, with no heart conditions, severe high blood pressure or recent surgery.
How much G-force would I feel on a jet flight instead of the F-117 Nighthawk?
The F-117 Nighthawk is not available for civilian passenger flights, but on a civilian jet experience aerobatic profiles typically reach four to eight positive G in sustained turns and around minus four negative G. You learn the anti-G straining manoeuvre in ground school, which keeps you conscious under load. Supersonic and high-altitude profiles are physically far easier, and what happens in the air is agreed with your pilot and can be adjusted at any point.
How far in advance should I book a jet flight instead of the F-117 Nighthawk?
The F-117 Nighthawk is not available for civilian passenger flights, but you should book a real ex-military jet experience, such as the L-39 Albatros, 2 to 4 months in advance because of limited aircraft availability, maintenance schedules and airspace clearances. For weekend slots in peak summer months, allow 6 months. Simulator experiences generally need 2 to 3 weeks’ notice for standard weekend bookings.
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