The F-117 Nighthawk
The Air Force requested an aircraft that could attack high-value targets while evading enemy radar detection, which led to the development of the Lockheed F-117A. By the 1970s, engineers had access to new materials and techniques that enabled them to design an aircraft with “stealth” or radar-evading qualities. The F-117A became the world’s first operational stealth aircraft as a result.
The first F-117A flew on Jun. 18, 1981, and the first F-117A unit, the 4450th Tactical Group (renamed the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing in October 1989), achieved initial operating capability in October 1983.
Between 1981 and 1990, 59 F-117As were built. The F-117A received the Collier Trophy, one of the most prestigious aeronautical awards worldwide, in 1989.
F-117 Nighthawk low RCS
The F-117A program demonstrated that stealth aircraft with a low radar cross section (RCS) could be conceived, designed, and developed, as the following story in Ben Rich’s book “Skunk Works” proves.
Rich (who served as the second vice president of Lockheed’s Skunk Works after Kelly Johnson) recalls that time Denys Overholser, engineer and radar specialist for Lockheed’s Skunk Works, spoke to him about the first completely stealthy airframe, the F-117.
The Hopeless Diamond
“Boss,” he said, handing me the diamond-shaped sketch, “Meet the Hopeless Diamond.”
“How good are your radar-cross-section numbers on this one?” I asked.
“Pretty good.” Denys Overholser grinned impishly. “Ask me, ‘How good?’”
I asked him and he told me. “This shape is one thousand times less visible than the least visible shape previously produced at the Skunk Works.”
“Whoa!” I exclaimed. “Are you telling me that this shape is a thousand times less visible than the D-21 drone?”
“You’ve got it!” Denys exclaimed.
“If we made this shape into a full-size tactical fighter, what would be its equivalent radar signature… as big as what—a Piper Cub, a T-38 trainer… what?”
Denys shook his head vigorously. “Ben, understand, we are talking about a major, major, big-time revolution here. We are talking infinitesimal.”
As big as an eagle’s eyeball
“Well,” I persisted, “what does that mean? On a radar screen it would appear as a… what? As big as a condor, an eagle, an owl, a what?”
“Ben,” he replied with a loud guffaw, “try as big as an eagle’s eyeball.”
Although officially retired in 2008, many F-117s remain airworthy and are used to support limited research and training missions (such as conducting dissimilar air combat training sorties with USAF and US Navy aircraft) missions based on overall cost effectiveness and their ability to offer unique capabilities.
Ben Rich may be smiling down from heaven knowing that his baby is still active.
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Photo by Lockheed Martin and U.S. Air Force
