Smithsonian Acquires Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk Stealth Fighter for National Collection

The National Air and Space Museum, part of the Smithsonian Institution, is about to add a Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk to its collection, marking the first operational stealth combat aircraft for the museum. This aircraft is being handed over by the U.S. Air Force, with the Skunk Works team at Lockheed Martin getting it ready for display. The F-117 will be flown from the Skunk Works site to Dulles International Airport in Virginia by the U.S. Air Force Reserve's 512th Airlift Wing using a C-5 Galaxy cargo plane. It’s anticipated that the Nighthawk will be available for viewing at the museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly by late October. This announcement was made at the Air & Space Forces Association's conference in National Harbor, Maryland. The F-117’s stealth capabilities allowed it to enter enemy territory without being seen, striking key targets and taking out anti-aircraft defenses.