An F-117 Nighthawk, nicknamed “The Overachiever” because it is the only F-117 to participate in all four conflicts that involved the aircraft, parked in a hangar, circa 1991. “The Overachiever” will soon appear in the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. (Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution)

Soon, You’ll Be Able to See an F-117 Nighthawk at the Smithsonian

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The F-117, nicknamed The Overachiever, will be the only one of the stealth aircraft on display on the East Coast.

The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum is adding its first Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk to the national collection. 

The Nighthawk in question is not just any Nighthawk, but serial number 85-0818, nicknamed “The Overachiever” because it is the only F-117 to have flown in all four conflicts that involved F-117s.

“The revolutionary F-117 gave military commanders options they never had before,” said Chris Browne, the John and Adrienne Mars Director of the National Air and Space Museum, in a news release. “The Nighthawk could be the tip of the spear, taking out enemy defenses before they knew what hit them or it could destroy selective strategic targets, helping achieve objectives with unmatched precision. Adding this breakthrough aircraft to the national collection will ensure generations to come know its amazing story.”

The Overachiever is scheduled to go on public display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, in........

© The National Interest