For the first time in 15 years, the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum will welcome a new aircraft to its collection. The F-117 “Nighthawk” stealth fighter will arrive at the Museum, May 24 and be on display for guests to view in the Restoration Hangar.
Developed by the Lockheed Corporation, the F-117 “Nighthawk” gained worldwide attention for its role during the Persian Gulf War of 1991. The F-117 fleet included 64 aircraft, which the U.S. Air Force retired in 2008.
“The F-117 is a bookend in our collection as it helped to usher-in the end of the Cold War,” says Museum President & CEO, Jeff Cannon. “It represents a huge innovation leap that started with our SR-71 and U2.”
The aircraft fuselage will be ready for loading Wednesday, May 19 and begin its journey to the Museum on Thursday, May 20. It will take approximately 3 to 4 days to travel through Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and Nebraska, roughly following Highway 6 and Interstate 80.
Cannon says the arrival of the F-117 marks the beginning of a new round of acquisitions and restoration projects for the Museum. “The Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum continues its mission of stewardship in American history with the near-completion of the Looking Glass EC-135 and the exciting beginning of three aircraft restorations.”
In the coming months, Cannon says three aircraft will occupy the Restoration Gallery as the EC-135 moves to Hanger A. The Avro Vulcan, owned by the Museum, will be restored alongside the F-105, currently on display just north of the Platte River on Interstate 80 and the F-117 stealth fighter.
According to Cannon, the Museum is assessing additional Cold War era aircraft to add to the collection, including an F/A-18 “Hornet” and a MiG-23 “Flogger.” The estimated completion of the F-117 restoration is summer 2022.