The F-117A Nighthawk is a stealth ground attack aircraft. It made its debut in Air Combat and was subsequently featured in many Ace Combat games.
History[]
Strangereal[]
The Nighthawk was used by a number of air forces around the world. The Belkan Air Force used this attacker during the Belkan War, and it was the choice aircraft of a number of aces.
Erusea used a pair of these bombers to attack ISAF Army forces during Operation Sandstorm. The ISAF Air Force also had access to this aircraft during the conflict.
During the Circum-Pacific War, the Yuktobanian Air Force made infamous use of this aircraft during their attack on November City to kill Osea's senior leadership.[1]
During the Emmeria-Estovakia War, the Estovakian Air Force employed the Nighthawk as a stealth bomber and attack aircraft, during the Battle of the Selumna Peaks Estovakian ace Gunther Kleiber, Callsign: Dzhoker, attempted to launch a surprise attack on the Emmerian ground forces. Later, during the Gracemeria cruise missile attack, the Estovakian Air Force deployed a squadron of Nighthawks to destroy Emmerian ground positions and weaken their ability to intercept their missiles.
During the Lighthouse War, Erusea deployed multiple F-117As in an attempt to bomb Stonehenge as the Osean Army attempted to repair it.[2]
Nighthawks were also flown in the Aurelian War, notably by Otus Squadron of the Aurelian Air Force. Leasath also deployed them against the Aurelian submarine Naiad, but were all destroyed by Gryphus One.[3]
Joint Assault Universe[]
The Valahia dispatched several Nighthawks, including one of their aces, Nightowl, to intercept Andre Olivieri's private jet which was attempting to escape Valahia controlled airspace.[4]
Infinity Universe[]
The design of the Nighthawk was acquired by Wernher and Noah Enterprises and mass-produced for sale with their Advanced Automated Aviation Plant. This aircraft was the preferred attacker of a number of mercenary groups, many of whom used them during Operation Eternal Liberation.
Game Analysis[]
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown[]
How to Unlock
- This aircraft is not available to the player.
Gallery
An Erusean Air Force F-117A
Ace Combat Infinity[]
- "The first ever stealth attacker, specialized for secret bombing runs. As the design is focused entirely on stealth capabilities the aircraft is lacking in speed and maneuverability. On the flipside, however, remaining off enemy radar allows it to use guided bombs to perform pinpoint strikes. It has unique shape comprised of plane surfaces and a special paint job in order to reflect and absorb radar waves. Known as the "Nighthawk", it gained recognition during the 1991 Gulf War for flying more than 1200 sorties without a single one of the aircraft being shot down."
- ― Hangar
| Lv. | Cst | Price | GUN | MSL | GPB | SOD | LAGM | SP | MO | ST | AA | AG | DF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 575 | 129,600 | 286 | 108 | 4 | – | – | F+ | E+ | D+ | E+ | D+ | E+ |
| 2 | 614 | 14,400 | 314 | 110 | 6 | – | – | E | D | C | E+ | C | D |
| 3 | 653 | 20,880 | 343 | 112 | 8 | – | – | E+ | D | C | D | C | D+ |
| 4 | 692 | 38,160 | 371 | 114 | 9 | 13 | – | D | D+ | C+ | D | C+ | C |
| 5 | 731 | 64,800 | 400 | 118 | 10 | 14 | – | D+ | D+ | B | D | C+ | C+ |
| 6 | 770 | 158,400[a] | 428 | 122 | 12 | 16 | – | D+ | C | B | D | B | B |
| 7 | 809 | 78,000 | 457 | 126 | 13 | 17 | 18 | D+ | C | B | D | B+ | B+ |
| 8 | 848 | 151,200 | 486 | 130 | 14 | 18 | 20 | C | C | B | D+ | B+ | B+ |
| 9 | 887 | 345,600 | 515 | 134 | 15 | 19 | 21 | C | C+ | B+ | D+ | B+ | A |
| 10 | 926 | 788,400 | 544 | 138 | 16 | 20 | 22 | C+ | C+ | B+ | D+ | B+ | A+ |
| 11 | 973 | 1,752,000 | 572 | 142 | 17 | 21 | 23 | B | B | A | D+ | A | S |
| 12 | 1020 | 1,284,000 | 601 | 146 | 18 | 22 | 24 | B+ | B+ | A | C | A+ | S+ |
| 13 | 1067 | 2,328,000 | 630 | 150 | 19 | 23 | 25 | B+ | B+ | A+ | C | S | S+ |
| 14 | 1114 | 3,216,000 | 659 | 154 | 20 | 24 | 26 | A | A | S | C+ | S | S+ |
| 15 | 1161 | 4,320,000 | 688 | 158 | 22 | 26 | 28 | A+ | A | S+ | C+ | S+ | S+ |
| 16 | 1221 | 6,048,000 | 714 | 160 | 23 | 27 | 29 | S | A+ | S+ | C+ | S+ | S+ |
| 17 | 1280 | 6,912,000 | 740 | 162 | 24 | 28 | 30 | S | A+ | S+ | B | S+ | S++ |
| 18 | 1339 | 7,776,000 | 767 | 164 | 25 | 29 | 31 | S+ | A+ | S+ | B+ | S+ | S++ |
| 19 | 1398 | 9,936,000 | 793 | 166 | 26 | 30 | 32 | S+ | S | S+ | B+ | S+ | S++ |
| 20 | 1457 | 12,528,000 | 820 | 168 | 28 | 32 | 34 | S+ | S | S+ | A | S+ | S++ |
- Part Slots
- At Lv.1, this aircraft carried 18 BODY, 18 ARMS, and 18 MISC part slots. See Tuning § Slot Expansion for further information.
- Nicknames
- Upgrading this aircraft to these levels unlocked the respective nicknames for use at any time.
- Lv.3: Midnight Bird
- Lv.10: Diamond Cut
- Lv.15: Gopher Wood
- Lv.20: Long Distance Driver
Skin Galleries
Description
- Black body
Gallery
Hangar view
Description
- "Gray Dragon" paint scheme; two-tone gray camouflage
Availability
- Top 1,000 participants in the "It's payback time!" Online Co-Op Missions Ranking Tournament (January 14–20, 2015)
- Purchase from the Skilled Pilot Medal exchange for 20 (January 15, 2017–permanent)
Gallery
Hangar view
Flyby view
Description
- Desert camouflage; based on the first production model of the Nighthawk
Availability
- Top 3,000 participants in the "END OF DECEPTION" Online Co-Op Missions Ranking Tournament (December 8–21, 2015)
- Purchase from the Skilled Pilot Medal exchange for 8 (May 16, 2016–permanent)
Gallery
Hangar view
Flyby view
Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy[]
- "The latest in stealth technology comes at the cost of maneuverability and weapons load."
- ― Hangar
How to Unlock
- Complete "Midnight Assassin" in a second playthrough or complete 2 Extra Missions. Costs 54,200 credits.
Statistics
Weapons
Colors
- C01: Black body
- C02: Black and gray camouflage
- C03: Gray body
- C04: Green and brown camouflage
- C05: Purple body with yellow accent
- C06: 2-tone blue camouflage
Named Pilots
- D. Cowboy — Found in Opera House. Spawns close to the fuel tanks. The ace will leave the map if not shot down within a certain period of time.
Gallery
D. Cowboy
Color 1
Color 2
Color 3
Color 4
Color 5
Color 6
Ace Combat: Assault Horizon[]
- "The historic first stealth aircraft which specializes in covert bombing. Because of its detailed airframe design which suppresses target detection, speed and maneuverability is limited. Instead, it is able to conduct pinpoint bombardments with long range, ground missiles and guided bombs without being detected by enemy radar nets. In order to reflect and absorb radar waves, it uses a unique airframe shape and coating configured to make a flat surface. Called the "Nighthawk", more than 1,200 sorties were made with them in the 1991 Gulf War."
- ― Hangar
How to Unlock
- Made available at the opening of "Hostile Fleet".
Statistics
- Speed: Medium
- Mobility: Low
- Stability: Medium
- Fire Power: High
- Defense: High
Weapons
Gallery
Ace Combat: Joint Assault[]
- "The latest in stealth technology comes at the cost of maneuverability and weapons load."
- ― Hangar
How to Unlock
- Complete mission 15: "Grand Flight". Costs $185,400.
Statistics
Named Pilots
- Nightowl — Found in "Grand Flight". Spawns after escaping the ravine. The ace can only be shot down in multiplayer by anyone who isn't flying the 747 200B.
Weapons
Colors
- C01: All-black camouflage
- C02: Forest camouflage
- C03: "Gray Dragon" two-tone gray camouflage
- C04: Two tone black-gray camouflage
- C05: "Nightowl" cloudlike camouflage pattern with crescent emblem
- C06: Worn-out two-tone monochrome camouflage
Gallery
Nightowl
Color 1
Color 2
Color 3
Color 4
Color 5
Color 6
Ace Combat Xi: Skies of Incursion[]
Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation[]
- "The “Nighthawk” is the first fully stealth capable aircraft. Its unique shape and special coating are designed to absorb and reduce enemy radar. Advanced stealth characteristics allow the F-117A to operate freely while evading enemy detection. Although its payload is limited, bunker penetrating bombs give its formidable pinpoint striking capabilities. A complete deviation from traditional fighter design, the F-117A is a revolutionary attack aircraft designed solely for stealth."
- ― Hangar
How to Unlock
- Complete mission 10: "Ragno Fortress".
Statistics
Weapons
Colors
- Emmeria: Two-tone Grey body
- Estovakia: Black body
- Estovakia SP: Forest camouflage
- F-117A -GENERAL EMBLEM-: Emmerian scheme with General Resource Limited roundels
- Razgriz: Razgriz Squadron black with red tail tips scheme from Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War
- F-117A -YUKIHO-: Blue with white stripes, white nose and large image of character Yukiho Hagiwara on left wing
Named Pilots
Gallery
The Emmeria F-117 livery
Estovakia scheme for the F-117
Ace camouflage for the F-117
F-117A -YUKIHO-
The Nighthawk of Gunther Kleiber (Dzhoker)
Gunther Kleiber in flight over the Selumna Peaks
Another view of Gunther Kleiber
Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception[]
- "The latest in stealth technology comes at the cost of maneuverability and weapons load."
- ― Hangar
How to Unlock
Statistics
Weapons
Colors
- Aurelia: All-black camouflage
- Leasath: Forest camouflage
- Special 1: "Gray Dragon" two-tone gray camouflage
- Special 2: Two tone black-gray camouflage
Named Pilots
- Inferno — Found in "In Pursuit I". Appears to the north after the real power generators are destroyed.
Gallery
Inferno
Aurelia color
Leasath color
Special 1 color
Special 2 color
Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War[]
- "Nicknamed the "Nighthawk," this stealth aircraft represents the latest technology. However, its stealth capabilities come at the cost of maneuverability and weapons load."
- ― Hangar
How to Unlock
- Complete mission 14B: "The Final Overture - Mercury Strike Team". Costs $109,000.
Statistics
- Speed: 39
- Mobility: 38
- Stability: 81
- Defense: 75
- Air-to-Air: 39
- Air-to-Ground: 91
Weapons
Colors
- Standard: Black body
- Mercenary: Forest camouflage
- Soldier: "Gray Dragon" two-tone gray camouflage
- Knight: Three-tone Ferris camo
- Special: Desert camouflage; based on the first production model of the Nighthawk
Named Pilts
Gallery
An F-117A being refueled
Standard color
Mercenary color
Soldier color
Knight color
Special color
Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War[]
- "Nicknamed the "Nighthawk," this attack aircraft employs cutting-edge stealth technology to avoid radar detection, at the cost of maneuverability and weapon load."
- ― Hangar
How to Unlock
- Complete campaign mission 15: "White Noise". Costs 20,100 per aircraft.
Statistics
- Speed: 39
- Mobility: 38
- Stability: 81
- Defense: 75
- Air-to-Air: 39
- Air-to-Ground: 91
Weapons
Colors
- OS: "Gray Dragon" two-tone gray camouflage
- RZ: Original "Nighthawk" all-black camouflage
- YK: Forest camouflage
Gallery
OSEA color in the hangar
Razgriz color in the hangar
An F-117A in Yuktobanian colors
Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies[]
- "Although difficult to detect by radar, this Stealth attacker is limited by a small payload capacity."
- ― Hangar
How to Unlock
- Complete campaign mission 10: "Tango Line". Costs 386,000 credits.
Statistics
- Speed: Low
- Air-to-Air: Low
- Air-to-Ground: High
- Mobility: Low
- Stability: High
- Defense: High
Weapons
Named Pilots
- Kwee
Colors
- Standard: Black
- Erusea: Grey
- Special: Grey/Dark Grey two-tone Digital camouflage
Gallery
ISAF color scheme hangar
Erusean color scheme hangar
Ace Kwee color scheme hangar
Kwee
Ace Combat 2[]
How to Unlock
- Complete mission 9: "Swordsmith". Costs $130,000.
Statistics
- Power: 60
- Defense: 60
- Mobility: 40
- Stability: 50
- Climbing Ability: 60
- Air-to-Air: 60
- Air-to-Ground: 80
- Duration of flight: 16 minutes
- Absorbability: Normal
Weapons
- MSSL x80
Named Pilots
- Razorback
Gallery
Player color
Ally/wingman color
Enemy color A
Enemy color B
Razorback
Air Combat[]
How to Unlock
- EASY
- Complete mission 1: "Destroy Enemy Supply Lines"
- NORMAL
- Complete mission 1: "Destroy Enemy Supply Lines"
- HARD
- Complete mission 1: "Destroy Enemy Supply Lines"
Price
- $4,000,000 — original price
- $3,600,000 — after first discount
- $3,200,000 — after second discount
- $2,400,000 — after third discount
Statistics
- Defense: 1
- Power: 2
- Mobility: 1
- Offense: 1
- Stability: 1
Named Pilots
- Baron (available as a wingman)
Gallery
F-117 in Scarface Squadron color
F-117 in enemy color
Trivia[]
- A notable goof in the Ace Combat games is that the F-117A is shown being capable of engaging in air to air combat, something the real Nighthawk could never do. The aircraft is also shown being equipped with an on-board cannon, despite the real F-117A never carrying any kind of gun armament, internal or otherwise. This, however, is most likely to let the player engage enemy targets like they would with other, gun-armed aircraft.
- In the book Master File: ASF-X Shinden II, the section on the CFA-44 refers to the F-117 as the "Model-117A".
- Also, as with the other player-controlled stealth aircraft, the F-117A Nighthawk still can be detected by the enemy radar, whereas the enemy piloted F-117A will only be able to be detected if the player is facing towards them (more prominent in Joint Assault).
- The "Mercenary" paint scheme in ACZ, the "Yuktobanian" scheme in AC5, the "Estovakia SP" scheme in AC6, the "Colour 2" scheme in AC:JA, and the "Leasath" scheme in ACX are based on the experimental camouflage scheme tested by Nighthawk 79-10780 in 1984.
Footnotes[]
- ↑ Players could use one Nonstandard Upgrade Request Form instead of credits for the Lv.6 upgrade.