Lockheed Have Blue

The Lockheed Have Blue was a pioneering prototype stealth fighter‑aircraft built for the United States Air Force in the early 1970s. Conceived by a small team at Lockheed’s Skunk Works under the direction of Ben Rich and led by Irv Waaland, the program was initiated in secret in 1974 to prove that an aircraft could evade radar detection through shape and materials. Two single‑seat prototypes, designated YF‑117A, were constructed and first flown in June 1977. The design employed faceted, angular surfaces that scattered long‑wavelength radar waves, a revolutionary approach later refined with the use of composite radar‑absorbent materials. Although Have Blue never entered production, its successful flight‑test data directly enabled the development of the operational F‑117 Nighthawk, the world’s first combat‑ready stealth aircraft, which entered service in 1983. Have Blue’s significance lies in establishing the practical viability of low‑observable technology, reshaping aircraft design philosophy and spawning a new generation of stealth platforms ranging from fighters to bombers and unmanned systems. Its legacy continues to influence modern defense projects worldwide.

Lockheed Martin

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