Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk vs Sukhoi Su-25

FORCETALLY

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Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk — licensed reference photograph

ACombat aircraft

Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk

Stealth attack aircraft

Credit

Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon II · Public domain · Resized · Public domain · Source ↗ · Modified

Sukhoi Su-25 — licensed reference photograph

BCombat aircraft

Sukhoi Su-25

Attack aircraft / close air support

Credit

Fedor Leukhin · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Resized · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Source ↗ · Modified

First system

Second system· Combat aircraft only

At a glance

Side by side

Length comparisonOne shared metre scale

Lockheed F-117 NighthawkF-117A · Length

20.09 m

Length source ↗

Sukhoi Su-25Su-25/Su-25K, late production · including nose probe

15.53 m

Length source ↗

Lengths retain their source configuration and measurement scope.

True scale

Compare in 3D

Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk × Sukhoi Su-25

Side by side. From every angle. A human reference for perspective.

3.25 MB · Loads when you open it

Lockheed F-117 NighthawkExterior shape

Sukhoi Su-25Sukhoi Su-25 as in the input photograph.

Dimensions, sources & model information

Model dimensions — scaled from a sourced figure; other values approximate
Model	Length	Width / span	Height
Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk	≈ 20.09 m	≈ 13.21 m (Wingspan)	≈ 3.78 m
Sukhoi Su-25	≈ 15.53 m	≈ 14.36 m (Wingspan)	≈ 4.8 m

Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk

Scaled uniformly to the sourced length of 20.09 m. The shape was turned square to the axes; the height was fitted to the sourced 3.78 m; the width was fitted to the sourced 13.21 m wingspan. Not an official model or a measured survey.

Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk — Wikipedia (revision 1374920340) ↗ · accessed 2026-09-28

Sukhoi Su-25

Scaled uniformly to the sourced length of 15.53 m. The height was fitted to the sourced 4.8 m; the width was fitted to the sourced 14.36 m wingspan. Not an official model or a measured survey.

Sukhoi Su-25 — Wikipedia (revision 1375887277) ↗ · accessed 2026-09-28

The human reference is a generic 1.75 m figure. Models describe external size, not combat performance.

Measured figures

Head to head

20 of 69 rows sourced on both sides

20.09mF-117A · Length

15.53m

LengthScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

20.09 m

F-117A · Length

Single source

65 ft 11 in (20.09 m)^[source]

15.53

Configuration

Details

Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk and Sukhoi Su-25 configuration
Specification	Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk	Sukhoi Su-25
Type	Stealth attack aircraft^[source]	Attack aircraft / close air support^[source]
National origin	United States^[source]	Soviet Union / Russia / Georgia^[source]
Manufacturer	Lockheed Corporation^[source]	Sukhoi, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant^[source]
Status	Retired from combat in 2008, used as training aircraft as of 2025^[source]

Primary user	United States Air Force^[source]	—

Number built	64 (5 YF-117As, 59 F-117As)^[source]	Over 1,000^[source]

Manufactured	1981–1990^[source]	1978–2017^[source]

Introduction date	October 1983 ( 1983-10 )^[source]	19 July 1981^[source]

First flight	18 June 1981 ( 1981-06-18 )^[source]	22 February 1975 ( 1975-02-22 )^[source]

Airfoil	Lozenge section, three flats Upper, two flats Lower^[source]	—

Wing loading	67.3 lb/sq ft (329 kg/m 2 ) calculated from^[source]	—

Thrust/weight	0.40^[source]	—

Bombs	GBU-10 Paveway II laser-guided bomb with 2,000 lb (910 kg) Mk84 blast/fragmentation or BLU-109 or BLU-116 Penetrator warhead GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bomb with 500 lb (230 kg) Mk82 blast/fragmentation warhead GBU-27 Paveway III laser-guided bomb with 2,000 lb (910 kg) Mk84 blast-fragmentation or BLU-109 or BLU-116 Penetrator warhead GBU-31 JDAM INS / GPS guided munition with 2,000 lb (910 kg) Mk84 blast-frag or BLU-109 Penetrator warhead B61 nuclear bomb^[source]	BETAB-500 concrete-penetrating bomb FAB-250 general-purpose bomb FAB-500 GP bomb FAN-500 bomb KAB-500KR TV-guided bomb ZAB-500 incendiary bomb^[source]

Hardpoints	2 × internal weapons bays with one hardpoint each (total of two weapons) equipped to carry:^[source]	11 hardpoints with a capacity of up to 4,000 kg (8,800 lb) of stores, with provisions to carry combinations of: Rockets: UB-16 rocket pods for S-5 rockets UB-32 A rocket pods for S-5 rockets B-8M 1 rocket pods for S-8 rockets S-24 S-25 Missiles: Air-to-air missiles : K-13 A R-60 R-73 E Air-to-surface missiles : Kh-23 Kh-25 ML Kh-29 L 9K121 Vikhr Kh-38 (Su-25SM3) Anti-radiation missiles : Kh-28 Bombs: BETAB-500 concrete-penetrating bomb FAB-250 general-purpose bomb FAB-500 GP bomb FAN-500 bomb KAB-500KR TV-guided bomb ZAB-500 incendiary bomb Other: ASO-2V decoy dispensers (chaff and flare): Su-25s in Syria have been pictured with four rows of ASO-2V decoy dispensers (chaff and flare) along the tailcone's upper surface aft of the vertical stabiliser. Geran-5 drone^[source]

Role	retired American single-seat, subsonic, twin-engined stealth attack aircraft^[source]	—

Source measurement	The aircraft's faceted shape (made from flat surfaces) heavily contributes to its relatively low radar cross-section of about 0.001 m 2 (0.0108 sq ft). To minimize its infrared signature , its non-circular tail pipe mixes hot exhaust with cool ambient air and lacks afterburners ; it is also restricted to subsonic speeds, as breaking the sound barrier would produce an obvious sonic boom that would increase its acoustic and infrared footprints. While commonly referred to as the "Stealth Fighter", the aircraft was designed and employed as a dedicated attack aircraft ; its performance in air combat maneuvering was less than that of most contemporary fighters. The F-117 has integrated digital navigation and attack systems, with targeting via a thermal imaging infrared system and a laser rangefinder / laser designator . It is aerodynamically unstable in all three aircraft principal axes , thus requiring constant flight corrections via a fly-by-wire flight system to maintain controlled flight.^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Even in the years after it entered service, the F-117 was a black project . Its existence was denied by USAF officials until 10 November 1988, when the aircraft was first publicly acknowledged. Its first combat mission was flown during the U.S. invasion of Panama in 1989. The last of the 59 production F-117s was delivered on 3 July 1990. The F-117 gained note in the Gulf War of 1991, during which it flew about 1,300 sorties and struck what the US military described as 1,600 high-value targets in Iraq. F-117s also participated in the conflict in Yugoslavia , during which one was shot down by a surface-to-air missile in 1999. It was also active during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001 and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. The USAF retired the F-117 in 2008, primarily because the F-22 Raptor had entered service, but has kept some aircraft in flying condition for research and development, testing, and training.^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The aircraft is air refuelable and features a V-tail . The maximum speed is 623 mph (1,003 km/h; 541 kn) at high altitude, the maximum rate of climb is 2,820 feet (860 m) per minute, and the service ceiling is 43,000 to 45,000 feet (13,000 to 14,000 m). The cockpit was quite spacious, with ergonomic displays and controls, but the field of view was somewhat obstructed with a large blind spot to the rear.^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The aircraft is equipped with sophisticated navigation and attack systems integrated into a digital avionics suite. 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 an attack mission, including weapons release. Targets are acquired by a thermal imaging , infrared system, paired with a laser rangefinder / laser designator that finds the range and designates targets for laser-guided bombs . The F-117's split internal bay can carry 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg) of ordnance. Typical weapons are a pair of GBU-10 , GBU-12 , or GBU-27 laser-guided bombs, two BLU-109 penetration bombs, or, after 2006, two Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) GPS/INS-guided stand-off bombs.^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Design / Avionics; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The F-117 has an RCS around 0.001 m 2 (0.0108 sq ft). Among the penalties for stealth are subsonic speeds to prevent frame heating, heat on the engine inlet and outlet prevent certain thrusting maneuvers, a very low wing aspect ratio , and a high sweep angle (50°), needed to deflect incoming radar waves to the sides. With these design considerations and no afterburner , the F-117 is limited to subsonic speeds. Additionally, to maintain its low observability, the F-117 was not equipped with radar; not only would an active radar be detectable through its emissions, but also an inactive radar antenna would also act as a reflector of radar energy. Whether it carries any radar detection equipment remained classified as of 2008.^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Design / Stealth; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Its faceted shape (made from two-dimensional flat surfaces) resulted from the limitations of the 1970s-era computer technology used to calculate its RCS. Later supercomputers made subsequent aircraft like the B-2 bomber made using curved surfaces while maintaining stealth possible, through the use of far more computational resources to perform the additional calculations. The F-117 was covered by almost one ton of radio-wave absorbing materials, manufactured as flat sheets. The sheets were held in place by glue, with the gaps between filled by a kind of putty material called "butter".^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Design / Stealth; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The F-117 reached initial operating capability status in 1983. The Nighthawk's pilots called themselves "Bandits". Each of the 558 Air Force pilots who have flown the F-117 has a Bandit number, such as "Bandit 52", that indicates the sequential order of their first flight in the F-117. Pilots told friends and families that they flew the Northrop F-5 in aggressor squadrons against Tactical Air Command.^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Operational history / Early activities; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The aircraft was operated in secret from Tonopah for almost a decade; after the Gulf War, all aircraft moved to Holloman in 1992, but its integration with the USAF's nonstealth "iron jets" occurred slowly. As one senior F-117 pilot later said: "Because of ongoing secrecy, others continued to see the aircraft as 'none of their business, a stand-alone system'." The F-117 and members of the 49th Fighter Wing were deployed to Southwest Asia on multiple occasions. On their first deployment, with the aid of aerial refueling, pilots flew nonstop from Holloman to Kuwait, around an 18.5-hour flight.^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Operational history / Early activities; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage One F-117 (AF ser. no. 82-0806) was lost to enemy action. It was downed during an Operation Allied Force mission against the Army of Yugoslavia on 27 March 1999. The aircraft was shot down at a distance of 8.1 mi (13 km) and an altitude of 26,000 ft (8 km). SA-3s were then launched by a Yugoslav version of the Soviet Isayev S-125 "Neva" (NATO name SA-3 "Goa") antiaircraft missile system. The launcher was run by the 3rd Battalion of the 250th Air Defence Missile Brigade under the command of Colonel Zoltán Dani . After the explosion, the aircraft became uncontrollable, forcing the pilot to eject. The pilot was recovered six hours later by a USAF pararescue team. The stealth technology from the downed F-117 has reportedly been studied by Russia, and possibly China. The U.S. did not attempt to destroy the wreckage; senior Pentagon officials claimed that its technology was already dated and no longer important to protect.^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Operational history / Yugoslavia; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The loss of an F-117 in Serbia caused the USAF to create a subsection of its existing weapons school to improve tactics. More training was done with other units, and the F-117 began to participate in Red Flag exercises . Though advanced for its time, the F-117's stealthy faceted airframe required a large amount of maintenance and was eventually superseded by streamlined shapes produced with computer-aided design . Other weapons systems began to take on the F-117's roles, such as the F-22 Raptor gaining the ability to drop guided bombs. By 2005, the aircraft was used only for certain missions, such as if a pilot needed to verify that the correct target had been hit, or when minimal collateral damage was vital.^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Operational history / Program closeout; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The USAF had once planned to retire the F-117 in 2011, but Program Budget Decision 720 (PBD 720), dated 28 December 2005, proposed retiring it by October 2008 to free up an estimated $1.07 billion to buy more F-22s. PBD 720 called for 10 F-117s to be retired in FY2007 and the remaining 42 in FY2008, stating that other USAF planes and missiles could stealthily deliver precision ordnance, including the B-2 Spirit , F-22, and JASSM . The planned introduction of the multirole F-35 Lightning II also contributed to the retirement decision.^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Operational history / Program closeout; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage In May 2023, two F-117s participated in exercise Northern Edge 23-1, marking the first time they were officially spotted operating outside of the continental US after their retirement. On 1 February 2024, two F-117s were seen at testing range R-2508 in the Mojave Desert.^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Operational history / Postretirement service; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage The United States Navy tested the F-117 in 1984, but determined it was unsuitable for carrier use. In the early 1990s, Lockheed proposed an upgraded carrier-capable F-117 variant dubbed the "Seahawk" to the Navy as an alternative to the canceled A/F-X program. The unsolicited proposal was received poorly by the Department of Defense, which lacked interest in the single-mission capabilities on offer, particularly as it would take money away from the Joint Advanced Strike Technology program, which evolved into the Joint Strike Fighter . The F-117N would have differed from the land-based F-117 in several ways, such as the use of "elevators, a bubble canopy, a less sharply swept wing and reconfigured tail". It would also be re-engined with General Electric F414 turbofans in place of the General Electric F404s . The aircraft would be optionally fitted with hardpoints, allowing for an additional 8,000 lb (3,600 kg) of payload, and a new ground-attack radar with air-to-air capability. In that role, the F-117N could carry AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles.^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Variants / F-117N "Sea Hawk"; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage After being rebuffed by the Navy, Lockheed submitted an updated proposal that included afterburning capability and a larger emphasis on the F-117N as a multimission aircraft, rather than just an attack aircraft. To boost interest, Lockheed also proposed an F-117B land-based variant that shared most of the F-117N capabilities. This variant was proposed to the USAF and RAF. Two RAF pilots formally evaluated the aircraft in 1986 as a reward for British help with the American bombing of Libya that year. RAF exchange officers began flying the F-117 in 1987, but the British declined an offer during the Reagan administration to purchase the aircraft. This renewed F-117N proposal was also known as the A/F-117X . Neither the F-117N nor the F-117B was ordered.^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Variants / F-117B; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage 80-0785 – Pole-mounted outside the Skunk Works facility at United States Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, it is a hybrid airframe comprising the wreckage of 80–0785, the first production F-117A, and static test articles 778 and 779. It is fixed to a pedestal and serves as a monument.^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Aircraft on display / United States; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage 85-0831 – is located at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland, Nebraska , where it has undergone restoration and is now on display. It served as a test aircraft at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California from 1987 to 2008.^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Aircraft on display / United States; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Length: 65 ft 11 in (20.09 m)^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Specifications (F-117A); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Wingspan: 43 ft 4 in (13.21 m)^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Specifications (F-117A); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Height: 12 ft 5 in (3.78 m)^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Specifications (F-117A); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Wing area: 780 sq ft (72 m 2 )^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Specifications (F-117A); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Empty weight: 29,500 lb (13,381 kg)^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Specifications (F-117A); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Max takeoff weight: 52,500 lb (23,814 kg)^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Specifications (F-117A); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Powerplant: 2 × General Electric F404-F1D2 turbofan engines, 9,040 lbf (40.2 kN) thrust each^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Specifications (F-117A); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Maximum speed: 594 kn (684 mph, 1,100 km/h)^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Specifications (F-117A); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Range: 930 nmi (1,070 mi, 1,720 km)^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Specifications (F-117A); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage Service ceiling: 45,000 ft (14,000 m)^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Specifications (F-117A); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage 2 × internal weapons bays with one hardpoint each (total of two weapons) equipped to carry: Bombs: GBU-10 Paveway II laser-guided bomb with 2,000 lb (910 kg) Mk84 blast/fragmentation or BLU-109 or BLU-116 Penetrator warhead GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bomb with 500 lb (230 kg) Mk82 blast/fragmentation warhead GBU-27 Paveway III laser-guided bomb with 2,000 lb (910 kg) Mk84 blast-fragmentation or BLU-109 or BLU-116 Penetrator warhead GBU-31 JDAM INS / GPS guided munition with 2,000 lb (910 kg) Mk84 blast-frag or BLU-109 Penetrator warhead B61 nuclear bomb^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Specifications (F-117A); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage	—

Source measurement

The aircraft's faceted shape (made from flat surfaces) heavily contributes to its relatively low radar cross-section of about 0.001 m 2 (0.0108 sq ft). To minimize its infrared signature , its non-circular tail pipe mixes hot exhaust with cool ambient air and lacks afterburners ; it is also restricted to subsonic speeds, as breaking the sound barrier would produce an obvious sonic boom that would increase its acoustic and infrared footprints. While commonly referred to as the "Stealth Fighter", the aircraft was designed and employed as a dedicated attack aircraft ; its performance in air combat maneuvering was less than that of most contemporary fighters. The F-117 has integrated digital navigation and attack systems, with targeting via a thermal imaging infrared system and a laser rangefinder / laser designator . It is aerodynamically unstable in all three aircraft principal axes , thus requiring constant flight corrections via a fly-by-wire flight system to maintain controlled flight.^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Even in the years after it entered service, the F-117 was a black project . Its existence was denied by USAF officials until 10 November 1988, when the aircraft was first publicly acknowledged. Its first combat mission was flown during the U.S. invasion of Panama in 1989. The last of the 59 production F-117s was delivered on 3 July 1990. The F-117 gained note in the Gulf War of 1991, during which it flew about 1,300 sorties and struck what the US military described as 1,600 high-value targets in Iraq. F-117s also participated in the conflict in Yugoslavia , during which one was shot down by a surface-to-air missile in 1999. It was also active during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001 and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. The USAF retired the F-117 in 2008, primarily because the F-22 Raptor had entered service, but has kept some aircraft in flying condition for research and development, testing, and training.^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The aircraft is air refuelable and features a V-tail . The maximum speed is 623 mph (1,003 km/h; 541 kn) at high altitude, the maximum rate of climb is 2,820 feet (860 m) per minute, and the service ceiling is 43,000 to 45,000 feet (13,000 to 14,000 m). The cockpit was quite spacious, with ergonomic displays and controls, but the field of view was somewhat obstructed with a large blind spot to the rear.^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The aircraft is equipped with sophisticated navigation and attack systems integrated into a digital avionics suite. 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 an attack mission, including weapons release. Targets are acquired by a thermal imaging , infrared system, paired with a laser rangefinder / laser designator that finds the range and designates targets for laser-guided bombs . The F-117's split internal bay can carry 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg) of ordnance. Typical weapons are a pair of GBU-10 , GBU-12 , or GBU-27 laser-guided bombs, two BLU-109 penetration bombs, or, after 2006, two Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) GPS/INS-guided stand-off bombs.^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Design / Avionics; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The F-117 has an RCS around 0.001 m 2 (0.0108 sq ft). Among the penalties for stealth are subsonic speeds to prevent frame heating, heat on the engine inlet and outlet prevent certain thrusting maneuvers, a very low wing aspect ratio , and a high sweep angle (50°), needed to deflect incoming radar waves to the sides. With these design considerations and no afterburner , the F-117 is limited to subsonic speeds. Additionally, to maintain its low observability, the F-117 was not equipped with radar; not only would an active radar be detectable through its emissions, but also an inactive radar antenna would also act as a reflector of radar energy. Whether it carries any radar detection equipment remained classified as of 2008.^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Design / Stealth; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Its faceted shape (made from two-dimensional flat surfaces) resulted from the limitations of the 1970s-era computer technology used to calculate its RCS. Later supercomputers made subsequent aircraft like the B-2 bomber made using curved surfaces while maintaining stealth possible, through the use of far more computational resources to perform the additional calculations. The F-117 was covered by almost one ton of radio-wave absorbing materials, manufactured as flat sheets. The sheets were held in place by glue, with the gaps between filled by a kind of putty material called "butter".^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Design / Stealth; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The F-117 reached initial operating capability status in 1983. The Nighthawk's pilots called themselves "Bandits". Each of the 558 Air Force pilots who have flown the F-117 has a Bandit number, such as "Bandit 52", that indicates the sequential order of their first flight in the F-117. Pilots told friends and families that they flew the Northrop F-5 in aggressor squadrons against Tactical Air Command.^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Operational history / Early activities; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The aircraft was operated in secret from Tonopah for almost a decade; after the Gulf War, all aircraft moved to Holloman in 1992, but its integration with the USAF's nonstealth "iron jets" occurred slowly. As one senior F-117 pilot later said: "Because of ongoing secrecy, others continued to see the aircraft as 'none of their business, a stand-alone system'." The F-117 and members of the 49th Fighter Wing were deployed to Southwest Asia on multiple occasions. On their first deployment, with the aid of aerial refueling, pilots flew nonstop from Holloman to Kuwait, around an 18.5-hour flight.^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Operational history / Early activities; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

One F-117 (AF ser. no. 82-0806) was lost to enemy action. It was downed during an Operation Allied Force mission against the Army of Yugoslavia on 27 March 1999. The aircraft was shot down at a distance of 8.1 mi (13 km) and an altitude of 26,000 ft (8 km). SA-3s were then launched by a Yugoslav version of the Soviet Isayev S-125 "Neva" (NATO name SA-3 "Goa") antiaircraft missile system. The launcher was run by the 3rd Battalion of the 250th Air Defence Missile Brigade under the command of Colonel Zoltán Dani . After the explosion, the aircraft became uncontrollable, forcing the pilot to eject. The pilot was recovered six hours later by a USAF pararescue team. The stealth technology from the downed F-117 has reportedly been studied by Russia, and possibly China. The U.S. did not attempt to destroy the wreckage; senior Pentagon officials claimed that its technology was already dated and no longer important to protect.^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Operational history / Yugoslavia; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The loss of an F-117 in Serbia caused the USAF to create a subsection of its existing weapons school to improve tactics. More training was done with other units, and the F-117 began to participate in Red Flag exercises . Though advanced for its time, the F-117's stealthy faceted airframe required a large amount of maintenance and was eventually superseded by streamlined shapes produced with computer-aided design . Other weapons systems began to take on the F-117's roles, such as the F-22 Raptor gaining the ability to drop guided bombs. By 2005, the aircraft was used only for certain missions, such as if a pilot needed to verify that the correct target had been hit, or when minimal collateral damage was vital.^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Operational history / Program closeout; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The USAF had once planned to retire the F-117 in 2011, but Program Budget Decision 720 (PBD 720), dated 28 December 2005, proposed retiring it by October 2008 to free up an estimated $1.07 billion to buy more F-22s. PBD 720 called for 10 F-117s to be retired in FY2007 and the remaining 42 in FY2008, stating that other USAF planes and missiles could stealthily deliver precision ordnance, including the B-2 Spirit , F-22, and JASSM . The planned introduction of the multirole F-35 Lightning II also contributed to the retirement decision.^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Operational history / Program closeout; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

In May 2023, two F-117s participated in exercise Northern Edge 23-1, marking the first time they were officially spotted operating outside of the continental US after their retirement. On 1 February 2024, two F-117s were seen at testing range R-2508 in the Mojave Desert.^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Operational history / Postretirement service; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The United States Navy tested the F-117 in 1984, but determined it was unsuitable for carrier use. In the early 1990s, Lockheed proposed an upgraded carrier-capable F-117 variant dubbed the "Seahawk" to the Navy as an alternative to the canceled A/F-X program. The unsolicited proposal was received poorly by the Department of Defense, which lacked interest in the single-mission capabilities on offer, particularly as it would take money away from the Joint Advanced Strike Technology program, which evolved into the Joint Strike Fighter . The F-117N would have differed from the land-based F-117 in several ways, such as the use of "elevators, a bubble canopy, a less sharply swept wing and reconfigured tail". It would also be re-engined with General Electric F414 turbofans in place of the General Electric F404s . The aircraft would be optionally fitted with hardpoints, allowing for an additional 8,000 lb (3,600 kg) of payload, and a new ground-attack radar with air-to-air capability. In that role, the F-117N could carry AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles.^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Variants / F-117N "Sea Hawk"; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

After being rebuffed by the Navy, Lockheed submitted an updated proposal that included afterburning capability and a larger emphasis on the F-117N as a multimission aircraft, rather than just an attack aircraft. To boost interest, Lockheed also proposed an F-117B land-based variant that shared most of the F-117N capabilities. This variant was proposed to the USAF and RAF. Two RAF pilots formally evaluated the aircraft in 1986 as a reward for British help with the American bombing of Libya that year. RAF exchange officers began flying the F-117 in 1987, but the British declined an offer during the Reagan administration to purchase the aircraft. This renewed F-117N proposal was also known as the A/F-117X . Neither the F-117N nor the F-117B was ordered.^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Variants / F-117B; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

80-0785 – Pole-mounted outside the Skunk Works facility at United States Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, it is a hybrid airframe comprising the wreckage of 80–0785, the first production F-117A, and static test articles 778 and 779. It is fixed to a pedestal and serves as a monument.^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Aircraft on display / United States; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

85-0831 – is located at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland, Nebraska , where it has undergone restoration and is now on display. It served as a test aircraft at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California from 1987 to 2008.^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Aircraft on display / United States; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Length: 65 ft 11 in (20.09 m)^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Specifications (F-117A); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Wingspan: 43 ft 4 in (13.21 m)^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Specifications (F-117A); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Height: 12 ft 5 in (3.78 m)^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Specifications (F-117A); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Wing area: 780 sq ft (72 m 2 )^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Specifications (F-117A); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Empty weight: 29,500 lb (13,381 kg)^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Specifications (F-117A); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Max takeoff weight: 52,500 lb (23,814 kg)^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Specifications (F-117A); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Powerplant: 2 × General Electric F404-F1D2 turbofan engines, 9,040 lbf (40.2 kN) thrust each^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Specifications (F-117A); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Maximum speed: 594 kn (684 mph, 1,100 km/h)^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Specifications (F-117A); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Range: 930 nmi (1,070 mi, 1,720 km)^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Specifications (F-117A); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Service ceiling: 45,000 ft (14,000 m)^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Specifications (F-117A); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

2 × internal weapons bays with one hardpoint each (total of two weapons) equipped to carry: Bombs: GBU-10 Paveway II laser-guided bomb with 2,000 lb (910 kg) Mk84 blast/fragmentation or BLU-109 or BLU-116 Penetrator warhead GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bomb with 500 lb (230 kg) Mk82 blast/fragmentation warhead GBU-27 Paveway III laser-guided bomb with 2,000 lb (910 kg) Mk84 blast-fragmentation or BLU-109 or BLU-116 Penetrator warhead GBU-31 JDAM INS / GPS guided munition with 2,000 lb (910 kg) Mk84 blast-frag or BLU-109 Penetrator warhead B61 nuclear bomb^[source]Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk · Specifications (F-117A); only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

—

Designer	—	Sukhoi^[source]

Built by	—	TAM Management Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant^[source]

Primary users	—	Russian Aerospace Forces Ukrainian Air Force Korean People's Army Air Force Peruvian Air Force See Operators for others^[source]

Variant	—	Sukhoi Su-28^[source]

Fuel capacity	—	3,200 L (850 US gal; 700 imp gal)^[source]

Guns	—	1 × 30 mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-2 autocannon with 250 rounds SPPU-22 gun pods for 2 × 23 mm Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23 autocannons with 260 rounds^[source]

1	—	SPM-17A cannon^[source]

2	—	Air brakes^[source]

3	—	Electronic countermeasures^[source]

4	—	Laser Station Maple-PS^[source]

5	—	Avionics^[source]

6	—	Identification friend or foe system^[source]

7	—	Pitot tube^[source]

8	—	Drogue parachute^[source]

9	—	Fuel tanks^[source]

10	—	Main landing gear^[source]

11	—	K-36L ejection seat^[source]

12	—	Bulletproof glass^[source]

13	—	Periscope^[source]

14	—	Turbojet^[source]

15	—	Air intake^[source]

16	—	RSBN Short Range Navigation System^[source]

17	—	PA-7 Pitot tube^[source]

18	—	Front landing gear^[source]

19	—	Canopy^[source]

20	—	TSA-17 Sight^[source]

21	—	Hinged ladder^[source]

22	—	Longeron^[source]

23	—	Flaps^[source]

24	—	Leading edge slats^[source]

25	—	Empennage, including rudder^[source]

26	—	Aileron^[source]

27	—	ASO-2V infrared countermeasures^[source]

28	—	SPO-15 radar warning receiver^[source]

29	—	Tail flaps^[source]

Other	—	ASO-2V decoy dispensers (chaff and flare): Su-25s in Syria have been pictured with four rows of ASO-2V decoy dispensers (chaff and flare) along the tailcone's upper surface aft of the vertical stabiliser. Geran-5 drone^[source]