F-117N

[dsawan 624]

Did not know there was a pitch for the f-117 as a navy plane. See here:

 

F-117N “Seahawk”

In the early 1990s, Lockheed began to pitch an upgraded, carrier capable variant of the F-117 dubbed the “Seahawk” as an alternative to the canceled A/F-X program. The unsolicited proposal was received poorly by the Department of Defense, who had little interest in the single mission capabilities of such an aircraft, particularly as it would take money away from the Joint Advanced Strike Technology program (which evolved into the Joint Strike Fighter). The new aircraft would have differed from the land based F-117 in several ways, including the addition “of elevators, a bubble canopy, a less sharply swept wing and reconfigured tail".[27] The “N” variant would also be re-engined to use General Electric F414 turbofans instead of the older General Electric F404s. Furthermore the aircraft would be optionally fitted with hardpoints, allowing for an additional 8,000 lb of payload, and a new ground attack radar with air-to-air capability. In that role the F-117N could carry AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles.[27][28]

 

After being rebuffed by the Navy, Lockheed submitted an updated proposal that included afterburning capability and a larger emphasis on the F-117N as a multimission aircraft, rather than just an attack aircraft.[28] In efforts to boost interest, Lockheed also proposed an F-117B land-based variant that shared most of the F-117N capabilities. This variant was proposed to both the US Air Force and the RAF[29]. This renewed F-117N proposal was also known as the A/F-117X[30]. Neither the F-117N or the F-117B were purchased by any party.

 

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F-117

 

 

 

Wonder what it would look like in US navy service?

Edited February 5, 2010 by dsawan

[+Gocad 26]

Why does that sound like the Microprose F-117 to me?

[Fubar512 1,350]

To anyone who's ever read "Skunkworks" by Ben Rich, the whole concept of an F-117 "N" variant, would seem pretty far-fetched.