F-117A BLACKJET MODEL

The F-117 Black Jet, also known as the Nighthawk, was manufactured by Lockheed Martin. The F-117 was built to be used by the U.S Air Force. The U.S decided to develop a full-scale, radar-evading fighter. The F-117 had its first flight in June 1981.

The F-117A, a Black Jet variant, may look as if it were built for use by alien beings, but it is actually flown by flesh-and-blood humans like Capt. Phil McDaniel (above), a pilot with the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing. Any way you look at it, the F-117A is an unusual aircraft. Its design and development were also out of the ordinary.

The F-117A is equipped with sophisticated navigation and attack systems integrated into a digital avionics suite. It carries no radar, which lowers emissions and cross-section. It navigates primarily by GPS and high-accuracy inertial navigation. Missions are coordinated by an automated planning system that can automatically perform all aspects of a strike mission, including weapons release. Targets are acquired by a thermal imaging infrared system, slaved to a laser that finds the range and designates targets for laser-guided bombs.