In the 1970’s Soviet air defense systems improved and the U.S. realized they had to develop
aircraft to counter this. Lockheed Skunk Works was tasked with the job and two aircraft were built
under the code name “Have Blue” that proved stealth aircraft could be produced. As a result the
F-117 Nighthawk was developed and first flew in 1981 with the first production F-117 80-10785
making its maiden flight on April 20, 1982 but it wasn’t until 1988 that the Pentagon confirmed its
existence.

The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk 0835 “The Dragon” first flew June 30, 1988. During the Gulf
War 0835 carried out twenty six combat missions with the 416th TFS. In 2003 0835 was painted
all gray; hence the Gray Dragon, to test the effectiveness of a color other than black. The
standard F-117 black scheme helped stealth at night but was poor in sun light so 0835 was flown
twice daily to test the 24 hour stealth presence. Before any conclusion had been reached the
Nighthawk fleet was retired.

Specifications
Specifications for the Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk
Role – Fighter/Attack
First Deployment – 1982
Retired – April 22, 2008
Full Scale Development Aircraft – 5
Production Aircraft – 59
Crew – 1
Dimensions
Length – 65 ft 11 in   (20.09 m)
Wingspan – 43 ft 4 in   (13.20 m)
Height – 12 ft 9 in   (3.78 m)
Weight
Empty – 29,500 lbs   (13,380 kg)
Loaded – 52,500 lbs   (23,800 kg)
Performance
Powerplants – 2 X General Electric F404-F1D2 Turbofan Engine Each Producing 10,600 lbf
(48.0 kN)
Speed
Maximum – 617 mph   (Mach .092 / 993 km/h)
Range – 930 nm   (1,720 km / Unlimited with Air Refuel)
Service Ceiling – 45,000 ft   (13,716 m)
Armament
2 X Internal Weapons Bays, 1 X Hardpoint Per Bay, Total 2 Weapons Capacity
Laser Guided Bombs
GBU-10 Paveway II 2,000 lb Bomb
GBU-12 Paveway II 500 lb Bomb
GBU-16 Paveway II 1,000 Bomb
GBU-27 Have Void (Modified GBU-24 Modified For The F-117) 2000lb
GPS Guided Bombs
GBU-29 JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition)
GBU-30 JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition)
GBU-31 JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) INS/GPS Guided Munitions
GBU-32 JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition)
(WCMD) Wind Corrected Munition Dispenser
Missiles
AGM-65 Maverick (Air-to-surface Guided Missile)
AGM-88 HARM (High-speed Anti-radiation Missile)
AGM-137 TSSAM (Tri-Service Standoff Attack Missile)
AGM-154 JSOW (Joint Standoff Weapon)
AGM-154 JASSM (Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile)

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