Meet Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk
Lockheed developed the F-117A to attack high-value targets while reducing radar detection. Its low-observable design was the basis of the first operational stealth aircraft. A single pilot operates the aircraft, powered by two General Electric F404-F1D2 engines.
History & design
Low-observable development and a test-aircraft survivor
Developed around reducing detection by radar, the F-117A first flew on 18 June 1981. The 4450th Tactical Group reached initial operating capability in October 1983, several years before the aircraft became publicly familiar. Its first combat use was in Panama in December 1989, followed by the Gulf conflict of 1990–1991.
The National Museum of the USAF records 59 production aircraft built between 1981 and 1990. Its exhibit is the second F-117A, used for development testing from 1981 to 1991. That individual history explains why a museum airframe can represent the programme’s experimental work rather than a front-line combat career.
National Museum of the United States Air Force · Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk ↗Systems & details
Pitch commands and Mach hold
The 2023 MSFS 2020 guide describes +6G and -2G commands at full aft and forward stick. Mach hold changes pitch to maintain Mach; altitude, heading and destination/navigation hold are also documented.
In your simulator
Systems, equipment and documentation for each developer’s aircraft.
Compare simulator versions →MSFS 2020F-117 Nighthawk
Aerial Simulations · Released
F-117 Nighthawk
Aerial Simulations · Released
MSFS 2024F-117 Nighthawk
Aerial Simulations · Released
F-117 Nighthawk
Aerial Simulations · Released
Manuals & resources
Read the original documentation from the people who created it. Manuals open on their publisher’s website.
Aircraft background
Lockheed F-117A NighthawkNational Museum of the United States Air Force · Museum aircraft history and technical notesDeveloper documentation
F-117A User Guide — version 1.2Aerial Simulations · 25 June 2023 · MSFS 2020 guideProduct
F-117 Nighthawk for Microsoft Flight SimulatorAerial Simulations / Orbx · Original MSFS product · checked 11 October 2026 F-117 Nighthawk for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024Aerial Simulations / Orbx · Separate MSFS 2024 product · checked 11 October 2026Built-in force-feedback profiles
Read the documentary basis, editable starting settings and remaining questions for the aircraft you fly. Each explanation refers to the exact profile revision shown.
Catalogue programme-20261011-v3 · 1 profile choice
Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk
Aerial Simulations · Free and Pro · Revision 2 · Partial review
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024
A fixed-centre fly-by-wire feel estimate for Aerial Simulations’ F-117A, with trim movement, autopilot following and unverified accessory effects disabled.
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