The F-117 Nighthawk: it’s one of the biggest game changers in the history of airpower.  Ever since the dawn of military aviation, airmen sought to strike deep within enemy territory. The problem: increasingly sophisticated integrated air and missile defense networks. The F-117 changed the rules of the game by leveraging lessons learned from Vietnam and combining stealth technology with precision strike munitions. The world learned this on night one of the Desert Storm air campaign. To mark this incredible achievement, the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum just placed an F-117 on display for the public.

Join us to hear from those who were present during the early days of the program, flew the jet, helped employ it, and the particulars surrounding the restoration and display of Smithsonian’s newest aircraft.

Guests

Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.)Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Anthony “Lazer” LazarskiPrincipal, Cornerstone Government Affairs

Dr. Richard P. Hallion, USAF (Ret.)

Dr. Mike Hankins

Host

Heather PenneyDirector of Studies and Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Credits