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Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk
The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk was the first operational stealth aircraft, a single-seat attack jet built to hit high-value targets without being seen by enemy radar. The National Museum of the US Air Force says it grew from an Air Force request, that the first one flew on June 18, 1981, and that 59 were built between 1981 and 1990. It first saw combat over Panama on December 19, 1989, and flew 1,271 sorties in Operation Desert Storm. The Air Force retired it in 2008. One version is listed, the F-117A.
The variants side by side
| Variant | Range | Seats | Length | First flight | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk | – | – | 65 ft 11 in (20.09 m) | June 18, 1981 | Retired in 2008 |