F-117
Angular radar-evader
The F-117 is an American stealth attack aircraft, the first operational plane designed around radar-evading technology.
Its angular, faceted body—meant to deflect radar signals—gave it a distinctive appearance unlike conventional aircraft.
Officially named the Nighthawk, it served from 1983 to 2008, most notably in precision strikes during the Gulf War.
Despite being called a fighter (the F designation), it carried no air-to-air weapons and functioned purely as a ground-attack bomber.
Secret, undetected movement
- fighterOne who engages in combat
- bomberExplosive-delivery aircraft or saboteur
- delta wingTriangular aircraft lifting surface
- facetedHaving multiple flat surfaces
angular · subsonic · attack · tactical · strike · ground attack · precision · flyby
Cannot be seen
- undetectableImpossible to notice
- radar cross-sectionObject's reflectivity to detection waves
- facetingCutting angled surfaces
- RAMTemporary data storage hardware
coating · signature · detection · countermeasures · evasion · penetration · suppression · infrared
Computer-mediated aircraft steering
- unstableProne to sudden change
- aerodynamicsPhysics of air motion
- exhaustUse up entirely
- platypusEgg-laying Australian mammal
FLIR · INS · GPS · avionics · classified · secret · breakthrough · innovative
A calendar year
- 1983Calendar designation, mid-decade prior
- first flightInitial aircraft journey
- operationalReady to function
- retiredNo longer in workforce
2008 · declassified · 1988 · reveal · secret · classified · development · program
stealth
Secret, undetected movement
- fighterOne who engages in combat
- bomberExplosive-delivery aircraft or saboteur
- delta wingTriangular aircraft lifting surface
faceted · angular · subsonic · attack · tactical · strike · ground attack · precision · flyby · cockpit
invisible
Cannot be seen
- undetectableImpossible to notice
- radar cross-sectionObject's reflectivity to detection waves
- facetingCutting angled surfaces
RAM · coating · signature · detection · countermeasures · evasion · penetration · suppression · infrared · thermal
fly-by-wire
Computer-mediated aircraft steering
- unstableProne to sudden change
- aerodynamicsPhysics of air motion
- exhaustUse up entirely
platypus · FLIR · INS · GPS · avionics · classified · secret · breakthrough · innovative · revolutionary
1981
A calendar year
- 1983Calendar designation, mid-decade prior
- first flightInitial aircraft journey
- operationalReady to function
retired · 2008 · declassified · 1988 · reveal · secret · classified · development · program · cold war
USAF
American aerial military branch
- Air ForceAerial military branch
- Operation Desert Storm1991 allied Iraq offensive
- PanamaIsthmus nation with waterway
Gulf War · Serbia · Kosovo · Iraq · Baghdad · combat · mission · sortie · deployment · pilot
- military aircraftfighter jets, fighter, bomber, fighters, fighter plane
- Air Forceflying officer, squadron leader, wing commander, group captain, air marshal
- Lockheed MartinSR-71, C-130, U-2, Blackbird, Hercules
- Stealth AircraftB-2 Spirit, stealth bomber, stealth fighter, stealth aircraft, B-2
- Aerial Reconnaissancespy plane, spy planes, U-2, SR-71, reconnaissance flight
- BombersB-17, B-24, B-25, B-29, B-52
F-117biplane
Aircraft with two wing levels
P-51 Mustang · Wright Flyer · Sopwith Camel · propeller aircraft · MiG-15
F-117dogfighter
Aerial combat pilot
F-15 Eagle · interceptor · cargo aircraft · F-22 Raptor · bomber