The F-117 “Nighthawk” is a single-seat, twin-engine strike-fighter built by Lockheed’s Skunk Works. Designed as a stealth aircraft undetectable by enemy radar, the F-117 made its first flight in 1981. This airframe was the first operational military aircraft designed to exploit low-observable stealth technology to evade detection by enemy radar or sensors. Nighthawks retired from active service in 2008 as the more advanced F-22 Raptor assumed the role once held by the F-117. Lockheed built 64 Nighthawks total.
On 15 December 1998, Hill Air Force Base’s Ogden Air Logistics Center assumed responsibility of F-117 battle/crash damage repair and depot field
team support through the 649th Combat Logistics Support Squadron. This new mission required the deployment of military teams worldwide to perform heavy maintenance and aircraft modifications on Nighthawks wherever necessary. The 649th performed this mission until 2008 when the F-117 retired from service.
Put on display at the Hill Aerospace Museum in 2020, this F-117 made its first flight on 22 September 1983. It flew 5,234 flight hours and 54 combined combat sorties in Desert Storm, Allied Force, and Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 4450th Tactical Group (TG). In fact, it flew the most combat sorties out of all F-117s in Operation Iraqi Freedom. When in service, Airmen of the 4450 TG nicknamed this airframe Midnight Rider and painted its bomb bay to reflect its new title.
This aircraft is on loan from the U.S. Air Force Heritage Program.
Serial Number: 82-799
Manufacturer: Lockheed Aeronautical Systems Co.
Primary Function: Stealth Fighter
Crew: One
Engines: Two General Electric F404-GE-F1D2 Turbojets
Wingspan: 43 ft 4 in
Length: 65 ft 11 in
Height: 12 ft 5 in
Weight: 29,500 lbs (empty); 52,500 lbs (maximum takeoff weight)
Speed: 680 mph
Range: 650 miles
Service Ceiling: 45,000 feet
Armament: Up to 5,000 lbs. of assorted internal ordnance
Cost: $45,000,000
Years of Service: 1982 – 2008
In December 1998, Hill Air Force Base’s Ogden Air Logistics Center was assigned the responsibility of providing depot field team support of F-117 battle/crash damage repair by way of Expeditionary Depot Maintenance expertise through the 649th Combat Logistics Support Squadron (CLSS). This new mission required the deployment of military teams worldwide to perform heavy maintenance and aircraft modifications on Nighthawks wherever necessary. The 649th performed this mission until 2008 when the F-117 retired from service as the more advanced F-22 Raptor assumed the role once held by the F-117. Lockheed built 64 Nighthawks total.
The United States Air Force (USAF) used the F-117 in the US invasion of Panama, Gulf War and Kosovo. It also flew missions over Afghanistan and in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The F-117 on display at Hill Aerospace Museum made its first flight in September 1983. It flew 5,234 flight hours and 54 combined combat sorties in Desert Storm, Allied Force and Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 4450th Tactical Group (TG). In fact, this F-117 (#799) flew the most combat sorties out of all F-117s in Operation Iraqi Freedom. When in service, airmen of the 4450 TG nicknamed this airframe “Midnight Rider.” It was acquired by the museum for display in 2020.
In March 1999, a single F-117 was shot down by Yugoslavian air defenses. This is the first known case of an enemy force detecting and successfully downing a “stealth” type aircraft. The pilot successfully ejected and was rescued some eight hours later.
With the introduction of the F-22 Raptor, the F-117 was deemed unnecessary for future combat duties and was retired in 2008. However, the airframe was kept in Type 1000 storage allowing them to be returned to active duty should a need arise. As of 2022, multiple Nighthawks have been seen still flying.
Though sometimes referred to as the “Stealth Fighter,” and having the F designation of a fighter aircraft, the F-117 is actually a bomber capable of carrying just two 2,000-pound bombs in its internal bays. The Nighthawk has no defensive capabilities, relying on its stealth to avoid enemy detection.
Thanks to the unique, computer-aided design of the F-117’s airframe, as well as use of radar-absorbent materials for its skin, the Nighthawk is nearly invisible to radar. The more accurate term is “low-observable,” as the F-117 has an incredibly small radar cross section, making it difficult to detect by radar.
