Saturday, August 23, 2025
  • About us
    • Write for us
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms of use
    • Privacy Policy
  • RSS Feeds
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us
DefenceTalk
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports
No Result
View All Result
DefenceTalk
No Result
View All Result
Home Defence & Military News Air Force News

LM Marks Twenty-Five Years of F-117 Stealth Fighter Delivery

by Editor
June 20, 2007
in Air Force News
2 min read
0
14
VIEWS

Lockheed Martin, Twenty-Five Years of Stealth and Sustainment Experience Supports Lockheed Martin 5th Generation Systems 
  
PARIS: This week the aerospace industry gathers for the Paris Air Show to celebrate aviation and advancements, like the Lockheed Martin 5th Generation F-22 and F-35 stealth fighters. This time also marks 25 years since delivery of the first production F-117, the world's first operational fighter to exploit low-observable stealth technology – technology upon which the current 5TH Generation fighters are built. 
 
“From its first flight in 1981 through more than 20 years of operational service that includes deployment in three major conflicts, the stealth capabilities of this black jet have revolutionized air warfare,” said George Zielsdorf, vice president of F-117 and U-2 programs for Lockheed Martin. “Lockheed Martin's lessons-learned and experience in stealth, associated technologies, and reliability and sustainment have defined the 5th Generation systems of today.” 
 
Lockheed Martin won the contract to build 59 F-117 fighters at the famed Skunk Works in Burbank, Calif., in 1978. The F-117 flew for the first time on June 18, 1981, only 31 months after the contract was awarded. Deliveries began in 1982 and ended in 1990. The aircraft achieved initial operational capability in October 1983, less than 5 years after program go- ahead. 
 
“The unique design of the F-117 provides exceptional combat capabilities and its low observables make it extremely survivable,” said Zielsdorf. “Once inside enemy airspace, sophisticated navigation and attack systems integrated in a digital avionics suite allow it to employ a variety of weapons from internal weapons bays. An automated mission planning system, developed to optimize the F-117's capabilities, performs detailed planning for missions into highly defended target areas.” 
 
The F-117 is powered by two General Electric F404 turbofan engines and uses fly-by-wire flight controls to produce excellent flying qualities and maneuverability. The F-117 stealth fighter is based at Holloman AFB, N.M., and flown by personnel assigned to the 49th Fighter Wing. 
 
Besides its operational capabilities, the F-117 has demonstrated solid performance in the areas of supportability and maintainability. While its design incorporates sophisticated low observable techniques and materials, these non-traditional aircraft components have not impacted the ability of maintenance personnel to effectively support the fleet. 
 
“After 25 years of operation, the F-117 continues to demonstrate the highest levels of readiness in the Air Force and many of these same technologies, processes and lessons-learned are being applied to the F-22 and F-35,” said Zielsdorf.  
 
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2006 sales of $39.6 billion.  

Previous Post

Tactical Harpoon Missiles for Turkey

Next Post

MH-60S Helicopter to Enter International Military Use with Sale to Royal Thai Navy

Related Posts

Germany says adding explosive drones to weapons arsenal

Germany says adding explosive drones to weapons arsenal

April 8, 2025

Germany said Friday it would buy explosive drones for the first time as Berlin boosts investments in its armed forces...

F-22 Raptor

Trump, Hegseth Announce Air Force’s Next Generation Fighter Platform

March 21, 2025

During a press conference at the White House today, President Donald J. Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that...

Next Post

MH-60S Helicopter to Enter International Military Use with Sale to Royal Thai Navy

Latest Defense News

Britain, Germany jointly developing missiles: ministers

Britain, Germany jointly developing missiles: ministers

May 17, 2025
Trump announces ‘full and immediate’ India-Pakistan ceasefire

Trump announces ‘full and immediate’ India-Pakistan ceasefire

May 10, 2025
Pakistan says Indian missiles strike air bases as conflict spirals

Pakistan says Indian missiles strike air bases as conflict spirals

May 10, 2025
J-10C fighter jet

Pakistan says India has brought neighbours ‘closer to major conflict’

May 9, 2025
North Korea fires multiple suspected cruise missiles

North Korea fires flurry of short-range ballistic missiles

May 9, 2025
China says ‘closely watching’ Ukraine situation after Russian attack

China vows to stand with Russia in face of ‘hegemonic bullying’

May 9, 2025

Defense Forum Discussions

  • General Naval News
  • Royal Australian Navy Discussions and Updates 2.0
  • The Russian-Ukrainian War Thread
  • European Union, member states and Agencies
  • Royal New Zealand Navy Discussions and Updates
  • International Army News Thread
  • Russian Navy Discussions and Updates
  • Indonesia: 'green water navy'
  • RMAF Future; need opinions
  • Indian Military Aviation; News, Updates & Discussions
DefenceTalk

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com

Navigate Site

  • Defence Forum
  • Military Photos
  • RSS Feeds
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Defense News
    • Defense & Geopolitics News
    • War Conflicts News
    • Army News
    • Air Force News
    • Navy News
    • Missiles Systems News
    • Nuclear Weapons
    • Defense Technology
    • Cybersecurity News
  • Military Photos
  • Defense Forum
  • Military Videos
  • Military Weapon Systems
    • Weapon Systems
    • Reports

© 2003-2020 DefenceTalk.com