First flown in 1981, the F-117 was kept secret until its first
operational use in 1989 in Panama. The F-117's minimal radar
cross-section and ability to drop precision ordnance place it in a class
by itself.
Also known as the "Wobblin' Goblin", the Night Hawk flew 1,271
sorties in during Operation Desert Storm in 1991 achieving an 80% mission
success rate while suffering no losses or battle damage.
The designation "F-117" does not fit in the logical "F
number" series which was restarted at F-1 in 1962 with 11 then
current fighters being redesignated. The USAF had allocated F-112
through F-116 to Soviet fighters acquired through various means. One
theory is that the Night Hawk was designated F-117 to draw less attention.
