The F-117 was widely publicized for its role in the Gulf War of 1991. Of the 64 F-117s built, 59 were production versions, with the other five being prototypes. The aircraft was shrouded in secrecy until it was revealed to the public in 1988. The Nighthawk's maiden flight took place in 1981 at Groom Lake, Nevada, and the aircraft achieved initial operating capability status in 1983. The F-117 was based on the Have Blue technology demonstrator.
It was the first operational aircraft to be designed with stealth technology. The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk is a retired American single-seat, subsonic twin-engine stealth attack aircraft developed by Lockheed's secretive Skunk Works division and operated by the United States Air Force (USAF).
