Overview

The F-117 Nighthawk is an American stealth attack aircraft that was developed by Lockheed's Skunk Works division (the same team responsible for the U-2 and the SR-71). Despite having an F designation, the F-117 is not a fighter but rather an Attack craft.

History

The Nighthawk was officially revealed to the public on 10 November 1988 and in 1989 it saw its first combat in Panama.

In 1991, the F-117 would see its most notable combat during the Gulf War where they were part of the opening strikes of the war on 17 January 1991. In 1999, an F-117A was shot down over Federal Republic of Yugoslavia(present day Serbia) by an SA-3 (S-125) SAM missile.

Although the F-117A is officially retired from USAF, it has been as recently as of 2023 been spotted still flying in the United States.