Why the F-117 Nighthawk is such a badass plane?
Why the F-117 Nighthawk is such a badass plane?
With a top speed of just 623 miles per hour (slower than a B-52 bomber) and an inherently unstable shape, the single-seat F-117 couldn’t keep pace with fighters, but that controlled instability actually resulted in a surprisingly nimble jet.
How much does the F-117 Nighthawk cost?
The company delivered 59 F-117 Nighthawks to the Air Force between 1982 and 1990, at a price tag of $2.5 billion, or about $43 million apiece.
How much is a Nighthawk plane?
The listing estimates those costs will run around $300,000.
How much does AF 117 cost?
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Primary Function | Fighter/attack |
| Armament | Internal weapons carriage Two each of: 2 MK84 2000-pound 2 GBU-10 Paveway II 2 GBU-12 Paveway II 2 GBU-27 Paveway III 2 BLU 109 2 WCMD 2 Mark 61 |
| Unit Cost $FY98 [Total Program] | $122 million |
| Crew | One |
Are any F-117 still in service?
The order is quite the ‘back to the future’ directive as the F-117 was first cleared for aerial refueling operations in the mid-1980s and has been officially retired for 13 years now, although this really isn’t the case for a number of the remaining ‘Black Jets.
What is the F-117 used for?
The F-117, however, was built specifically for engaging ground targets under a shroud of secrecy, rather than engaging enemy aircraft. In fact, the F-117 carried no guns and offered a payload capacity of only two small-diameter bombs, making it all but defenseless against enemy fighters in most circumstances.
When was the F-117 Nighthawk taken out of service?
The Nighthawk is only used for night-time missions. F-117 was to be replaced in the USAF by the F-22 Raptor before the F-22 programme was cancelled in 2009 and replaced with the cheaper and more versatile F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The first ten of the 55 F-117 aircraft in service were retired in December 2006.
When was the F-117 stealth fighter developed?
F-117A Nighthawk stealth fighter attack aircraft was developed by Lockheed Martin after work on stealth technology, and the predecessor test demonstrator aircraft, Have Blue, was carried out in secret from 1975.
Who is the manufacturer of the Nighthawk fighter?
F-117A Nighthawk is an attack aircraft developed by Lockheed Martin. F-117A Nighthawk stealth fighter attack aircraft was developed by Lockheed Martin after work on stealth technology, and the predecessor test demonstrator aircraft, Have Blue, was carried out in secret from 1975.
What was going to be the replacement for the F-117?
The F-117 was to be replaced in the USAF by the F-22 Raptor before the F-22 programme was cancelled in 2009 and replaced with the cheaper and more versatile F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.