From October, visitors to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Washington Dulles Airport will be treated to the sight of a Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk, the U.S. Air Force’s legendary stealth attack jet.
The donation of an F-117A Nighthawk aircraft, the sixteenth example of a YF-117/F-117 to be gifted for public display, to the Smithsonian was announced on Sep. 14, 2026, at the Air & Space Forces Association’s (AFA) Air, Space & Cyber Conference.
Despite the National Air and Space Museum’s (NASM) extensive collection already being the envy of aviation museums worldwide, including iconic aircraft like the SR-71 Blackbird, Concorde, and Space Shuttle, as well as unique one-of-a-kind exhibits like the 1903 Wright Flyer, Charles Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis, and the Apollo 11 Command Module, until now it has lacked an example of the famous Nighthawk – the world’s first purpose-built operational stealth aircraft.
A Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk stealth fighter is joining the National Air and Space Museum collection. The F-117 is the world’s first true operational stealth combat aircraft.
Transferred from the U.S. Air Force and prepared for public display by Lockheed Martin Skunk Works,… pic.twitter.com/bB7BXj4XGa
— National Air and Space Museum (@airandspace) September 14, 2026
The F-117 chosen for delivery to the Udvar-Hazy Center carries a unique history, being the only Nighthawk to fly in all four of the type’s major (and publicly acknowledged) campaigns: Operation Just Cause (Panama, 1989), Operation Desert Storm (Iraq, 1991), Operation Allied Force (Yugoslavia, 1999) and Operation Enduring Freedom (Iraq, 2003).
85-0818, which carries the nickname ‘The Overachiever’ as a reference to its storied career, first flew in 1986 and was withdrawn from service in 2007. There is no record of ‘818 being one of the number of reactivated F-117 Nighthawks which have remained operational in an increasingly public capacity since the type’s official retirement in 2008. The U.S. Air Force hopes to keep flying the F-117 flying until at least 2034, providing a stealthy aggressor platform to support U.S. Air Force training and technological trials.
This photo is iconic. On this day, 35 years ago, Assistant Secretary of Defense J. Daniel Howard displayed a grainy photograph at a Pentagon press conference, unveiling for the first time the shape of the F-117A, the stealth jet that had been secretly flying for 7 years already.… pic.twitter.com/jZZaRe7bfy
— The Aviationist (@TheAviationist) November 10, 2023
The aircraft will be delivered to the Udvar-Hazy Center by a U.S. Air Force C-5 Galaxy, which will land at Dulles just to the north of the museum. A dedicated taxiway links the museum site to the airfield allowing for simplified deliveries of display aircraft.
News of the museum’s acquisition first began to appear earlier this year following a comment by NASM director Chris Browne to Aviation Week, however an official confirmation and full press release were withheld until now.
“The revolutionary F-117 gave military commanders options they never had before,” said Browne in this new announcement.
This photo is iconic. On this day, 35 years ago, Assistant Secretary of Defense J. Daniel Howard displayed a grainy photograph at a Pentagon press conference, unveiling for the first time the shape of the F-117A, the stealth jet that had been secretly flying for 7 years already.… pic.twitter.com/jZZaRe7bfy
— The Aviationist (@TheAviationist) November 10, 2023
“The Nighthawk could be the tip of the spear, taking out enemy defenses before they knew what hit them or it could destroy selective strategic targets, helping achieve objectives with unmatched precision. Adding this breakthrough aircraft to the national collection will ensure generations to come know its amazing story.”
Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works division prepared the aircraft for public display. One of the most significant preparations for previous Nighthawks to go on display has been the reproduction of new leading edge structures across the aircraft, as the exact design and construction of these – as well as the aircraft’s radar absorbent coating – remain classified.
Check Out This Timelapse Video Of The F-117 Being Restored For Public Display At the Ronald Reagan Library: https://t.co/4AeZqTCMtX pic.twitter.com/OSW0EE4cMH
— The Aviationist (@TheAviationist) November 8, 2019
To allow for air transport, the aircraft will arrive partially dismantled and undergo reassembly at the museum’s own Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar. The restoration hangar’s observation area will allow visitors to look through the glass as this process is completed over the coming weeks, leading up to the jet’s debut as an exhibit scheduled for late October.
