Often called the "stealth fighter" though in reality a strike aircraft designed for precision night attack against high-value targets, the F-117 was designed, built, entered into service in 1983, and operated for several years -- all in complete secrecy. It looks like no other aircraft in service today, being made up of sharp angles and flat surfaces. The skin is coated in Radar Absorbent Material (RAM) to soak up radar energy, and whatever impulses are not absorbed are (hopefully) deflected away from the emitter by the angular structure of the fuselage. Even the cockpit is stealthy, with a conductive coating that prevents radar waves from penetrating the canopy. The pilot's view is relatively poor, but this is not critical for a strike aircraft. The aircraft's infrared signature is shielded by special ducts on the engine nozzles that expel hot exhaust gases in thin sheets that quickly mix with cool surrounding air. In the early stages of design at Lockheed, the stealthy aspects of the aircraft made it extremely unstable and difficult to fly. Reportedly, test pilots dubbed it the "Wobblin' Goblin", but these problems have been worked out and the production model of the F-117 handles nicely. Virtually all early flying was done at night to preserve secrecy, until 1988 when the type was made public.
