Lockheed F-117A Night Hawk 'Stealth Fighter'
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>> These files are for use with BAO's Flight Simulator Flight Shop. <<

No Flight Sim aircraft collection is complete without one of these babies. Ever
since I first set eyes on this remarkable aircraft I've been wondering what it
would be like to fly one. I still don't really know, but after doing the
research for this FSFS project, I feel I've got a pretty good idea of what it
would be like to fly a Night Hawk. Give her a try.


A little history
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Even though the F-117 project started 20 years ago in 1976, little of a definite
nature is know of this aircraft. Much is still highly classified.

This aircraft stemmed from the 'Have Blue' observability-reduction effort during
the mid 1970s. A half sized prototype with a wing span of 22 ft & powered by two
General Electric CJ610 turbojets, first flew in December of 1977. After
successful test trials, design & development of the full-sized version was
ordered in November 1977. The first five service trial aircraft flew 4 years
later, in June 1981. After successful trials with these aircraft, production on
64 aircraft began. Deliveries began in August 1982 for an initial operational
capability in October of 1983.

About the F-117A's airframe
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The F-117A aircraft is a highly angular type of flying wing with a butterfly
tail & elements of a lifting-body vehicle design. The hard angular shape of the
airframe play havoc with it's aerodynamics at high speed. This results in an
unstable & hard to control aircraft. A quadruplex fly-by-wire control system was
required to tame her bad handling.

The hole concept of the angular airframe is not to absorb incoming
electromagnetic energy (radar) but rather to reflect it in all directions except
strait back at the emitter. This renders this aircraft invisible to conventional
radar systems.

The F-117 also utilizes a low heat signature system to mask the hot engine
exhaust. A heat signature can be used to identify & track aircraft. Because of
this the F-117 is aided by the use of a system of exhaust-spreading slot nozzles
that mix cold air into the exhaust to reduce the heat signature. The two GE
turbofan engines are also berried deep within the fuselage. The two air intakes,
either side of the fuselage are covered with a thermal energy blocking grill to
mask the heat image from the front.

This aircraft also has no active radar of it's own. A conventional radar system
acts like a beacon pointing to it's self. This obviously isn't something you'd
want in a stealth aircraft. The F-117 uses an advanced passive system based on
IR sensors & a doppler navigation system. 


Specifications of real aircraft
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Country of Origin:	U.S.A.
Type:			Tactical Strike
Accommodation:		One

Power Plant:		Two 10,800 lb dry thrust GE F404-GE-F1D2 turbofans

Max Speed:		Classified (Mach 1)
Cruise Speed:		Mach 0.9
Service Ceiling:	Classified (40,000 plus)		
Weight Empty:		30,000 lbs
Weight Loaded:		52,500 lbs
Length:			65 ft
Height:			12 ft
Wing Span:		43 ft
Wing Area:		1,140 sq ft aprox.

Year entered service:	1983

A few notes on flying the X-1
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As mentioned, much about this aircraft is classified. Because of this I've had
to do quite a bit of guesswork. Please bare this in mind.

This is not a small aircraft. She's 65 ft long. However she is quite
maneuverable. At cruising speed she'll perform a snap roll like a smaller
aerobatic plane would. However a lower speed she starts to show her size. She
will become increasingly sluggish as you approach landing speeds.

The F-117s weight will cause her to want to keep moving in whatever direction
she's being maneuvered. You may experience a little 'over steer' at low speed. 

The F-117's wings have little or no dihedral (upward angle). Because of this you
may find it difficult to maintain level flight.

Stall speed with full flaps is at 90 kts, but she becomes almost unflyable at
115. Landing speeds therefore need to be high. This should be no problem for
anyone familiar with flying fast jets. Use of full flaps, spoilers & thrust
reversers is highly recommended when landing.


Disclaimer (I hate this part but I feel it's necessary.)
________________________________________________________

The files & data contained in the file 'f-117.zip' are for private
entertainment purposes only. I will not be held responsible for any
damage or loss of data incurred directly or indirectly from the use of
these files. The 'f-117.zip' file may be copied, distributed,
transmitted, uploaded or download only as long as it's content remains
unchanged. The individual files contained within 'f-117.zip' may not
be distributed, transmitted, uploaded or downloaded. The 'f-117.zip'
file may be included with other files that have been packaged for
distribution. Again, only if the content of 'f-117.zip' remains
unchanged. No funds or services may be received in exchange for these
files. This is freeware. Blar blar blar...

If you have any problem with any part of this disclaimer then you should
not attempt to use these files. By copying the content of 'f-117.zip'
to your flight simulator program's directories, you are in essence
agreeing to the terms of this disclaimer. Have an nice day :-)

Happy flying
_____________________

If you have any questions, comments or criticisms please feel free to
contact me. I can be reached through e-mail or through my Flight Sim World
Wide Web page. Hope you enjoy this aircraft. Happy flying...

Chris Evans

E-mail:			dochris@pcnet.com
WWW Home Page:		http://www.pcnet.com/~dochris
Cyber Sky WWW Page:	http://www.pcnet.com/~dochris/page3.html


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