Why the F-117N Seahawk Could Have Changed Naval Aviation Forever

Рет қаралды 45,037

4 күн бұрын

🎮 Play War Thunder for FREE! 🎮 playwt.link/pilotphotog24
New and returning players who use my link in the pinned comment or video description will receive a bonus pack with premium vehicles, the "Eagle of Valor" decorator, 100,000 Silver Lions, and 7 days of premium account-available for a limited time only!
A navalized version of the F-117A Nighthawk was once proposed to the Navy, codenamed Seahawk see why this carrier based stealth fighter could have changed the course of naval aviation as we know it.
📰Check out my FREE weekly newsletter: hangarflyingwithtog.com
Join this channel to get access to perks: / @pilotphotog
OR
Support me on Patreon: / pilotphotog
Channel Members and Patrons get early access to videos, sneak previews, and other perks
Follow me on other social media for daily posts:
📸 Instagram - / pilotphotog
📖Facebook - / pilotphotog
🎙 Podcast: pilotphotog.buzzsprout.com/
🐦Twitter - / pilotphotog
👾Twitch: / pilotphotog
🎮 Discord: / discord
Credits/Attributions:
"The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement."
Department of Defense
Northrop Grumman
Lockheed Martin
Boeing
Raytheon
Pratt & Whitney
General Electric
Have blue concept art: FOX 52, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Atari 2600 photo: Evan-Amos, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
F-117 Flight Demonstration Footage: TaylorNews, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
All animations are produced by me, Tog and are property of this channel.
Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of the DOD, any government or company - now you know!

Пікірлер: 165

@PilotPhotog 3 күн бұрын

@nathanchristensen824 Күн бұрын

You need a Growling Sidewinder "I'm a cat person" tee shirt with the venerable Tomcat in glorious form. Not paid, just a fan.

@andrewpizzino2514 2 күн бұрын

In a saltwater environment with first generation stealth coatings don’t know how well that would have worked out

@wildweasel3001 2 күн бұрын

It would wash off in minutes 🎉

@alt5494 2 күн бұрын

Lockheed made a entire stealth ship(Seashadow IX-529)

@robert506007 2 күн бұрын

You are probably right yes buuut I would still say at least test it out and try and figure a solution. If they hadthe F-35C would have been much better off. Actually probably all US Stealth planes would have benefited tremedously from the experience. No doubt they would have failed a lot but it would have saved time on latter Stealth coatings.

@richtravis9562 Күн бұрын

just slap some FS 26270 Haze Gray paint on top of it, she'll be right.

@Hunterxrt Күн бұрын

What materials were used for the 1st generation stealth coatings?

@andrewadkins5567 2 күн бұрын

Modifying an already as built is always more expensive and more project risk than starting from a clean sheet. To navalize an F 117 would have been too many compromises and increased the RCS.

@korvusknull1447 Күн бұрын

It's amazing how quickly the Nighthawk went from the drawing board to mission capable. It is like the companies and engineers cared more about defence than dividends in those days. It is a shame that more than half the suppliers have been consolidated and many of the Pentagon budget auditors have been 'let go' during this modern era.

@FloridaManMatty 11 сағат бұрын

A big reason it happened so quickly was the Skunk Works preference for keeping the engineers and machinists in the same work space. Those guys streamlined the entire process and improved it along the way.

@Saffi____ 2 күн бұрын

18:55 Dang that guy pulled a drift during take of. Now thats some skill there.

@slartybarfastb3648 2 күн бұрын

Audio suppression was definitely NOT on the priority list of F-117. It is loud! Surprisingly loud. I'd say right there with F-16 or F-18. It rips the sky with military power noise. If you've ever heard one, you'll agree.

@JSFGuy 2 күн бұрын

I have heard them a few times, I didn't notice that they were excessive or even normal on exhaust noise. I don't know how you come up with that.

@slartybarfastb3648 2 күн бұрын

@JSFGuy I've heard them. Maybe loud is a subjective term, but to my ears they were indistinguishable from a F-16 or F-18. Not Eagle loud, but Eagles have the power of two F-16s, so that's expected.

@slartybarfastb3648 2 күн бұрын

@JSFGuy Looking into it's further, they have the F404 engines. Two F404 which exactly matches the F-18. Maybe I was expecting a whisper jet, so the surprise of hearing a F-18 as it few over gave the impression of more noise. But, that still assumes the F-18 to be not loud, which it definitely is.

@phillm156 2 күн бұрын

At 40-50k ft. Dropping Jdms. It’s very quiet.

@slartybarfastb3648 2 күн бұрын

@@phillm156 This is true. The JDAM is audible before the F-18 is. And, the JDAM doesn't even have an engine. *Intersting fact: the primary reason the Boeing 787 is so quiet isn't due to engine noise reduction. It's those sawtooth joints on flight surfaces and engine nacelles. A lesson learned from why owls are so quiet in flight. Also a feature on the F-22 and F-35 exhaust nozzles. Not present on F-117.

@JSFGuy 2 күн бұрын

Public release right here right now.

@jamesmterrell Күн бұрын

You forgot the Navy A-12 that was also canceled. It didn't help when the Navy Program Office and General Dynamics briefed the program to him and said it was on track. Then, several months later came back for more money. It was so bad that the Navy announced the program manager had been selected for admiral was still going to be promoted. That promotion was canceled not long after that. The main lesson was lying to Cheny does not end well. The Super Tomcat was canceled by Cheny . He said it was a 'get well' program for Grumman. Also, the Naval Aviation leadership (Hornet Mafia) overtly shot down anything with the F-14. They were working on the Super Hornet and didn't want competition.

@alt5494 2 күн бұрын

Skunk works was led by Ben Rich during the stealth development. Kelly Johnson was semi retired advisor at the time. Initially he disregarded the project considering it impractical.

@timbaskett6299 2 күн бұрын

Was there ever a concept for an F-22"N"? Before the F-22 entered service, I drew a two seat Raptor. I think my two favorite "not to be's" were the F-20, and the YF-23. The F-117N Seashadow, or Shadowhawk.

@JSFGuy 2 күн бұрын

No, this was an exclusive Air force contract requirement.

@rileychurch1821 2 күн бұрын

Shadowhawk sounds cool af

@mikekopack6441 2 күн бұрын

@@JSFGuy There actually were some concept designs/drawing for an F-22N.Sea Raptor. It was envisioned to have swing wings like the Tomcat.

@kennychad2821 Күн бұрын

@@timbaskett6299 I've always asked why not put an Apache AH-64 on carriers and in the naval fleet?

@section8usmc53 Күн бұрын

Ships that have attack helicopters already use the Cobra. Marine Corps is Department Of The Navy.

@bbgcars Күн бұрын

TO THIS DAY, The F-14 Tomcat still flies for the Iranian Air Force!! shows you how good of an airplane it was and the fact they cant get parts for it but it still flies is a testament to its durability and sustainability

@MacVerick Күн бұрын

Imagine trying to land one of these things at night in a storm on an aircraft carrier.

@FloridaManMatty 11 сағат бұрын

4:00 - Error - Kelly Johnson was VERY opposed to the Have Blue concept. Ben Rich was running Lockheed ADP at the time and butted heads with Kelly over the program. Johnson refused to believe that a faceted design would have a RCS lower that their D-21 drone. In a way, he WAS correct because that curved approach has definitely become the standard. Unfortunately at the time, the computers available to ADP were very limited and could only work out 2-D, faceted surfaces. Kelly did eventually give credit where credit was due. Ben Rich and Denys Overholser revolutionized Americans entire approach to air superiority to such a degree that we now prefer and can attain absolute air supremacy.

@antilarge7860 Күн бұрын

What a cool render of a navy f-117

@seifer918 2 күн бұрын

surprised you didn't mention the McDonnell Douglas A-12 Avenger II, which I think would be the biggest competitor for the F-117N project. Does the time line fit?

@PilotPhotog Күн бұрын

I actually did a video all about the A12: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/j5yIldOUyczWf2w.htmlsi=8LxNViXRwPfu77AU

@seifer918 Күн бұрын

@@PilotPhotog of cos you did. I remember and saw that before and good work as always. My question has more to do with the timeline. Was A-12 cancelled when LM proposed the F117N? or was Navy saying "we have carrier stealth fighter at home (A12 and all its budget overrun)."

@PilotPhotog 14 сағат бұрын

@@seifer918 I think there was some overlap between the two, The F-117N proposal was short lived, I just thought it'd be a fun topic to explore - thanks for commenting!

@tracym8952 Күн бұрын

The tail would need more modification to work well on a carrier

@alex3261 Күн бұрын

F-117A already had air+yo-air capability, being able to carry and launch AIM-9 missiles.

@gareth204 9 сағат бұрын

Massive amount of other projects missed out that had a direct influence on the F-117N/A/F-117X. The direct effect of the F-117B and C programmes had a massive impact on the N programme. The A-X, A/F-X, A-12 and NATF programmes took their toll on the need for N. Finally the F-18E/F/G programme also played its part in the lack of development of the N too.

@michaelgautreaux3168 Күн бұрын

GR8 vid. Many thanx PP 👍👍

@strikercwl Күн бұрын

The jet that got me interested in aviation, it would have been amazing to see this N variant. I think my love of the F117 is why I love he Cybertruck's appearance so much,

@thesirmaddog8209 2 күн бұрын

We will have a even better Duo once the FA-xx comes out... With the F-35C at its side.... Not to mention the drones

@keyonno 2 күн бұрын

Could had been named SeaFalcon

@RetinaBurner 2 күн бұрын

Is there enough info on the Super Tomcat '21' to justify a video on it? I've always liked the F-14. Amazing aircraft, even though it did have its problems.

@JSFGuy 3 күн бұрын

Got to finish the show, well low observable technology and development was rapidly evolving so I think they also included let's wait a little longer on this so we don't have to replace it as soon as it comes out. The raptor being an example of that. Rather let the USAF go in in the first hours and hit most threatening targets and the USN can back that up. Fast forward to the JSF. We all know as soon as something comes out the replacement is in work. Probably not so much now as it used to be.

@XLA-zg1nn Күн бұрын

Sorry Tog, but it was Ben Rich, Kelly's protégée who nailed the stealth

@ricky1231 2 күн бұрын

The Navy has never been very convinced with the concept of stealth. Even now they are only getting 273 F35Cs. The Marines end up with more F35s than the Navy !!!!! I won’t be surprised if the Navy’s F/A-XX is cancelled. The Navy has a frightening culture of burning the defence budget with failed programs like Zumwalt, Lithorial combat ship, upgrading the Ticonderoga cruisers then retiring them immediately afterwards, the Seawolf submarines and now we hear the constellation program is now in serious trouble. Its almost criminal.

@Aaron-wq3jz 2 күн бұрын

Navy has repeatedly made the wrong decision this century

@negroraven9458 2 сағат бұрын

Sweet video!👌🏾

@PilotPhotog 2 сағат бұрын

Thank you!

@WarGasm0824 2 күн бұрын

You should do a video on the F/A-22N

@mr6johnclark 2 күн бұрын

I 2nd this!

@johnpaulbacon8320 Күн бұрын

Wonderful video.

@joekauffman9690 12 сағат бұрын

The f 117n Seahawk looks really cool, we need a plane like this

@youngthaiarfssoldier8732 Күн бұрын

I think if we gonna do it today, we would have to enlarge the whole frame, with latest avionics, stealth materials, better control surfaces, even stronger airframe, a gun, etc. Not the best armed, but stealthist carrier-capable aircraft. Might be even better than F-35 in some or most aspects. Operating with Super Tomcat, great combination.

@IndigenousAmericanTrucker 6 сағат бұрын

Yeah, I always wondered why they designated it as F, instead of A or B, or at least F/A, since it's not a Fighter but an Attack/Bomber!

@amcds2867 Күн бұрын

Well worth the wait! Great job! I think they did well in not investing in a naval F117 seeing that the technology was evolving and the F35C is superior to any version the F117N might have developed into, despite the nostalgia the F14 provokes.

@OmegaEGGY Күн бұрын

I feel like based on the timeline, the Seahawk would never have had any chances to make it to production. The early 90s was around the time the Navy axed the A-12 Avenger II program and joined the JAST/JSF program. The then-future F-35C already occupied the Seahawk's niche, all while doing more and better. So what's the point of it then? Even if we go back to the 80s, it would still have to contend with both Northrop and McDonnell Douglas for the Avenger II program, and we know how that turned out.

@stewarttomkinson3356 6 сағат бұрын

They need to figure out how to take that airframe and turn it into a space fighter

@herrolddickey7164 Күн бұрын

Love the design

@JSFGuy 3 күн бұрын

Just about missed it it was down on the list, let's check it out.

@PilotPhotog 3 күн бұрын

Let me know what you think!

@Psalms919 Күн бұрын

@@PilotPhotoghi can you do a f 22 natf

@aaronellington5546 12 сағат бұрын

I’m sure one concept is built from another concept to improve capabilities

@koobuck Күн бұрын

Cool video but why is it a journey? You used it twice

@B0R3D0M5 Күн бұрын

If it had a better stealth coat then the first generstion then maybe but with the first generstion the salt water would screw it up

@TheJustinJ Күн бұрын

How

@southerndragon4933 4 сағат бұрын

Could have still been used for land. Wouldve been cool to see.

@Bulletin-mf2dy Күн бұрын

Personally, I've always considered the 117 to be a bomber not a fighter.

@TheJustinJ Күн бұрын

F-105 F-111 F-117 F-35

@chandrachurniyogi8394 Күн бұрын

the naval carrier borne F-117N is still a viable fighter jet for any navy operating CATOBAR aircraft carriers . . . in the interest of retaining most of the F-117 airframe's brilliant stealth characteristics the F-117N could do with a modified folding delta wing design instead of the conventional wing & horizontal stabilizer combo in this video . . . the F-117N would be significantly bigger than the original F-117 . . .

@jocax188723 Күн бұрын

3:54 Kelly Johnson was actually pretty dismissive of the idea at first. Stealth development was actually pioneered by his protege, Ben Rich, who worked with Ed Martin and Denys Overholser to pitch the Hopeless Diamond, and later, Have Blue.

@TheJustinJ Күн бұрын

Johnson was all about performance. He later agreed the F-117 was brilliant after it demonstrated to be fully invisible on radar. He did not believe it was possible at first.

@autonoob 7 сағат бұрын

The ”Sea no Hawk”

@mmmddd4366 Күн бұрын

So the landing gear was sufficient? Also you missed AI going through all the possible shapes the plane could be

@wing0291 10 сағат бұрын

It won't surprise me if war thunder put this as a premium plane 😂

@floofles9473 Күн бұрын

the notion of ufimtsev being the guy who fathered stealth or at least the concept of stealth is shakey at best, there are multiple people who could be given the credit. I'd check out laser pigs video on it he goes into detail on why Ufimtsev may not actually be the guy who's science allowed for the nighthawk to be stealthy.

@TheJustinJ Күн бұрын

He produced exact formulas that could be applied to deflect or direct electromagnetic radiation. Russia did not realize what applications this had. Stealth technology wasn't on anybodies radar.

@W1ckedRcL 2 күн бұрын

Ufimsev's theories were not the start of or the foundation for stealth technology. Boeing and several other companies had been working on radar defeating technology for years before his theories or book were published.

@VTdarkangel Күн бұрын

However, he did provide the math to be able to calculate diffraction, which is notoriously complex and a key part to understanding stealth. Stealth developers were kind of fumbling in the dark before they discovered Ufimsev's theories.

@W1ckedRcL Күн бұрын

@@VTdarkangel yes, and very valid point.

@chekaschmeka4283 11 сағат бұрын

Bro, it wasn't even a close call.

@kindasupersonic7114 Күн бұрын

Technically they did do this.. it’s called the F35

@safetyedge9229 Күн бұрын

You know they where developing the f-17 before they knew about the soviet equations. The equations are used in b-2 development.

@TheJustinJ Күн бұрын

Not true. Source: Skunk Works by Ben Rich.

@Jimbonj Күн бұрын

Id call it the waterhawk or the waterfowl lol

@SlowrideSteve 4 сағат бұрын

The Navy didn't want ANYTHING to do with the 117 N

@brianpayne4549 6 сағат бұрын

It’s a bomber, not a fighter. Does it have guns?

@lamontterry2590 Күн бұрын

It's a shame that aircraft didn't get built

@TheJustinJ Күн бұрын

Why?

@user-xo7kp6hh2g 6 сағат бұрын

Yes

@biswajitbhattavharjya2115 Күн бұрын

Technology?

@Condor1970 Күн бұрын

Grayhawk!

@MsEnzoh Күн бұрын

I think that the Tomcat 21 would have been the better choice for the Navy . I was truly disappointed with the NAV’s decision to scrap that program . I can only hope that one day they will see the error of their ways ! 😂 😂 😂

@georgecastiblanco2978 Күн бұрын

Es más interesante el F 117 navalizado que el normal usado en la guerra del Golfo y Panamá.😮😮😮😮 Asombroso no.

@rileychurch1821 2 күн бұрын

F-117N would be the sexiest jet, even sexier than a Tomcat

@secretgoldfish931 Күн бұрын

Call me Wokey McWokington, but the idea that anything could ever be sexier than an F14 is one of the most offensive ideas I’ve ever seen on the internet. Take that back a sir, or else it shall be pistols at dawn!

@thomascarmichael6760 22 сағат бұрын

No way that bird could exist on a carrier. The corrosion generated by the ocean environment would have wreaked havoc with everything on that plane. On top of that in order to beef the airframe up to take the stresses of catapult launches and arrested landings would have. broken that bird in no time not to mention how all the mods would have affected the flight characteristics of the plane. Also it couldn’t dog fight and had no gun in which to defend itself if detected. Don’t see it happening with that plane!!!

@HangarStudios713 Күн бұрын

I got this....

@coreymarotta 2 күн бұрын

ST-21 for the win…

@crevis12 Күн бұрын

Looks better than the F-35

@pixelnazgul Күн бұрын

I don't like the nighhawk's wing arrea to mass ratio. It's too lightweight.

@pixelnazgul Күн бұрын

And the nozzle could be opening to give it faster speed when wanted. Were it to have F-5 engines, the loss from closing them like that would be smaller.

@TheJustinJ Күн бұрын

Clearly, Lockheeds skunks were incompetent.

@trumanhw 9 сағат бұрын

Pyotr Yakovlevich Ufimtsev (Пётр Я́ковлевич Уфи́мцев) It would've been the: F/A-117N // Super Seahawk For those who think the Su-57 has a 0.1 - 1.0 meter RCS ... think again: That's a _max RCS of 1m_ (excluding RAM) eg, the _GEOMETRIC RCS._ Or WHAT ..? You thought a purpose built, RAM using, Plane Form Aligned jet ... has an RCS of a 4th Gen, no RAM, no plane form aligned FA-18..??? We can't lie to ourselves. We have amazing (way overpriced with far too small a surge capacity) tech ... but Russia always rivaled us in fundamental physics, bc they have as many STEM grads as the US, without that DEI bullshit or pretending people passed bc their melanin says so.

@PDLM1221 16 сағат бұрын

We now know that the end production was political the Sectary of Defense I read didn’t like the company that built the F14 and gave the contract to other , dam it really sucks that one person can change the final out come in so many ways .

@LeonAust 13 сағат бұрын

Definitely not a manoeuvrable fighter like the F-35C, just a dedicated attack aircraft. What's needed now is one stealth 6th gen aircraft that can do everything at a reasonable long range. Any 4.5 gen like the Super Tomcat 21 or even todays USAF F-15EX would not last over a modern battlefield today. And if it is proven that a US aircraft carrier cannot take the heat within the 1st chain islands around China and the South China Sea then maybe a SQN or two of a very long range dedicated strike 6th gen Naval aircraft is required...............Drone? not sure.

@mrspaceman2764 20 сағат бұрын

Too many right angles on the wing design concept.

@Duvstep910 2 күн бұрын

Whats with everybody and the war thunder sponsors lately

@slartybarfastb3648 2 күн бұрын

Warthunder has a lot of money. Would you say no to a fat Warthunder check showing up in your bank account?

@JSFGuy 2 күн бұрын

They've been at it for a little while.

@user-ih8fw7bu5p Күн бұрын

❤🎉😂

@jessehorn6180 2 күн бұрын

They had to waisted the Seahawk

@PDLM1221 16 сағат бұрын

I’d feel a lot better sleeping at night If Obama didn’t stop producing the F22 at 178 units not the 780 in the original plan , now we worry that we don’t have enough jets and China is out numbering us , I know every jet has issues but numbers help in a major war!

@samedwards6683 2 күн бұрын

Thanks so much for creating and sharing this informative video. Great job. Keep it up. Slava Ukraini

@user-xo7kp6hh2g 6 сағат бұрын

WW 3

@thehorizonstudios 2 күн бұрын

imagine being in a third world country and the first thing you hear in the morning is the sounds of FREEDOM 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅RAAAAAAAA

@pixelnazgul Күн бұрын

Никто не навязывает миф о силе ссср так как сша.

@TheJustinJ Күн бұрын

Agreed. The USSR was always inherently incompetent.

@apocraphontripp4728 Күн бұрын

One word.....DRONE.

@nomercyinc6783 3 сағат бұрын

naval coatings arent stealth

@yutakago1736 Күн бұрын

The Navy F-117N Seahawk will not be as stealthy as Airforce F-117 because to land on carrier, the shape of the wings need to change. Maintenance cost will be very high.

@user-xo7kp6hh2g 6 сағат бұрын

sb d

@airvlad777 2 күн бұрын

The Serbs apologized for downing F-117 with S-200. They said they didn't know it was stealthy.

@Fuck_Snowflakes 2 күн бұрын

Serbia continued to get beat with impunity by other F117s and B2s. You are like the typical sore loser boxer who gets knocked unconscious, loses miserably, but yet claims supremacy because he managed to punch his opponent once (like charlie zelenof) we know, how can we ever forget, the Putin bots bring up every time the SU-57 comes up! So, after 25 years in service and over 2500 sorties, the Serbs managed to shoot down one F-117 on day 4 of a NATO 78 day air campaign with over 38,000 sorties ... so why didn’t they shoot down anymore with this S-125? I mean the Serbs launched some 700 missiles thousands and thousands of AAA ... yet only managed to shoot down one F-117, one F-16 and two helicopters? That means one hit for every 175 missiles launched or one hit every 9500 sorties ... hardly a record to boast about!??

@VectorGhost Күн бұрын

You also forget the bomb bay door was stuck open. Lol why do idiots bring this up all the time

@verdebusterAP Күн бұрын

Yes, they fired 800 surface to air missile during the conflict and downed 3 planes. Additionally downing the F-117 justified billions in spending for new weapons and capabilties The USAF could easily shredded the wreckage but the F-117 was outdated by that time

@thecoin5394 Күн бұрын

Did he mention about the Serbians who didn't know that the F117 was INVISIBLE? 😅 and shootdown at least one of those aircrafts? 😅😅

@TheJustinJ Күн бұрын

The F-117 flew the same route daily. They failed to secure the base, and allowed spies to observe departure times daily. This allowed the radar operators to set up an ambush. The F-117 is not invisible if you get close enough, directly below its flight path, with missiles aimed to take advantage of a 3-5 second window of opportunity. The F-117 isn't invisible. It deflects radar waves. And those waves can still be detected from the right angle.

@Keekay91 Күн бұрын

Wait a minute, hold up. Your telling me America almost made an F-35C baby but aborted it?

@Leescreativeart 14 сағат бұрын

The decision must have been made in nyc or San Fran….😅

@dewberry3043 Күн бұрын

I used to have respect for Lockheed, Boeing and other Arms manufacturer from the US. But when I'm aware they are doing DEI or Diversity, equity, and inclusion when hiring then it sink in to me why they always have problem with production , waaay over budget, and not delivering quality product. Like F22 and F35 are good but man the expense maintaining and complexity are mind bogling. And maybe that's the reason why their design in the 1970s are still active like F18 F15 F16. Because maybe back then they HIRE the best engineers and CEO.