[PTA SC] F-117A Nighthawk, 684 Mph

De OP
Specifications
Span: 43 ft. 4 in.
Length: 65 ft. 11 in.
Height: 12 ft. 5 in.
Weight: 52,500 lbs. maximum
Armament: Up to 4,000 lbs. of internal stores
Engines: Two GE F404-F1D2 engines at 10,600 lbs. thrust each.
Crew: One
Cost: $42,600,000

Performance Maximum Speed: High subsonic
Cruising Speed: 684 mph./ 594 knots
Range: Unlimited with aerial refueling
Service Ceiling: 45,000 ft.

The Lockheed F-117A was developed in response to an Air Force request for an aircraft capable of attacking high value targets without being detected by hostile radar systems. By the 1970s special materials and techniques had become available to aircraft designers that would allow them to design an aircraft with radar-evading or "stealth" qualities. The result was the F-117A, the world's first operational aircraft that fully incorporated radar- evading techniques.

The first F-117A flew on June 18, 1981 and the first F-117A unit, the 4450th Tactical Group, achieved initial operating capability in October 1983. The 4450th was renamed the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing in October 1989. The F-117A was first used in combat during Operation JUST CAUSE on December 19, 1989 when two F-117As from the 37th TFW attacked military targets in Panama. The F-117A was again called into action during Operation DESERT SHIELD/STORM in 1990-91 when the 415th and the 416th squadrons of the 37th TFW moved to a base in Saudi Arabia. During Operation DESERT STORM the F-117As flew 1,271 sorties, achieving an 80 percent mission success rate while suffering no losses or battle damage. A total of 59 F-117As were built between 1981 and 1990. The F-117A was awarded the 1989 Collier Trophy, one of the most prized aeronautical awards in the world.

The aircraft on display is the second F-117A built and was specially modified and instrumented to test various systems. After its test program was completed the Air Force decided to retire the aircraft in 1991. It was then turned over to the USAF Museum and is marked as it appeared during tests conducted for the Air Force Systems Command between 1981 and 1991.







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[ Bericht 50% gewijzigd door M5 op 14-12-2005 20:29:55 ]