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Air Force Books
The Beyond the Cold War Gallery covers the US Air Force history of flight
from the Desert Storm era through present day. Some highlights displayed
include the Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk and the Northrop B-2 Spirit.
This gallery index is an "as planned" representation of the actual
Museum layout. Not all aircraft listed below will necessarily be on
display at any particular time, although most will.
Predator
Technically, the RQ-1 Predator not just an aircraft but an entire
system. Developed as an Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD),
this system consisted of four unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), a ground
control station, a satellite communications terminal, and 55 personnel.
The Predator UAV before you-the most recognizable part of the
system-provided military commanders with an Intelligence, Surveillance,
and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform capable of flying over dangerous areas
for extended periods without risk to a human pilot.
In January 1994, the Department of Defense awarded a contract for ten
Predator aircraft to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems of San Diego,
California, and the first Predator flew just six months later in July
1994. Within a year, Predators deployed to Europe, where they proved
their value in operations over Bosnia from July 1995 to March 1996. In
April 1996, the Secretary of Defense selected the USAF as the operating
service for the RQ-1 Predator system, and the system entered production
in August 1997. In subsequent deployments, the Predator continued to
prove its value to military leaders.
Stealth Fighter
The Lockheed F-117A was developed in response to an Air Force request
for an aircraft capable of attacking high value targets without being
detected by hostile radar systems. By the 1970s, special materials and
techniques had become available to aircraft designers that would allow
them to design an aircraft with radar-evading or "stealth" qualities.
The result was the F-117A, the world's first operational aircraft that
fully incorporated radar-evading techniques.
The first F-117A flew on June 18, 1981 and the first F-117A unit, the
4450th Tactical Group, achieved initial operating capability in October
1983. The 4450th was renamed the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing in October
1989. The F-117A was first used in combat during operation JUST CAUSE on
December 19, 1989 when two F-117As from the 37th TFW attacked military
targets in Panama. The F-117A was again called into action during
Operation DESERT SHIELD/STORM in 1990-91 when the 415th and the 416th
squadrons of the 37th TFW moved to a base in Saudi Arabia. During
Operation DESERT STORM the F-117As flew 1,271 sorties, achieving an 80
percent mission success rate while suffering no losses or battle damage.
A total of 64 F-117As were built between 1981 and 1990, 5 for testing
and 59 for operational use . The F-117A was awarded the 1989 Collier
Trophy, one of the most prized aeronautical awards in the world.
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