The Evergreen Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon has a Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk which is in need of some restoration.
According to the Museum:
“The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk has a fascinating history that is deeply intertwined with the evolution of stealth technology and its pivotal role in modern warfare. Developed in the 1970s under a veil of secrecy, the F-117 was the first operational aircraft specifically designed to be nearly invisible to radar. Its angular and faceted shape, combined with advanced materials and coatings, gave it a unique and revolutionary low observable (LO) design. The program was initiated by the U.S. Air Force in response to the need for a highly survivable strike aircraft capable of penetrating enemy air defenses.”
The Museum’s Nighthawk is on loan from the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. It was the 32nd Nighthawk built and saw combat in Panama, Kuwait, and Iraq.
The Nighthawk has a top speed of 684 mph and a service ceiling of 45,000 feet.
Note: These photographs were taken on October 16, 2024.
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