Known internally as “Project Have Blue,” and later “Senior Trend,” the development of the F-117 Nighthawk was one of the most secretive and groundbreaking projects in the history of military aviation. The first operational stealth aircraft ever built, the F-117 was developed against the backdrop of the Cold War, as the Soviet Union was developing increasingly sophisticated air defense systems. Led by designer Ben Rich, the F-117 was developed in absolute secret at the legendary “Skunk Works” experimental division of Lockheed. The finished product would set a new benchmark for aviation technology—thanks to a slew of novel features.

The F-117 Nighthawk Was Nearly Invisible to Ground Radar

The F-117 was jam-packed with innovative features. The most obvious innovation, jarringly apparent to anyone looking at the plane, were its strange faceted surfaces.........

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