Fact Sheet

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Dec. 15, 2020 Chase Chitwood
OU PR Student

cchitwood@ou.edu

Stafford Museum To Acquire “Nighthawk” Aircraft

WHAT
● The F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter was the world’s first operational stealth aircraft.
● The aircraft was first flown in 1981, and it was publicly announced in 1988.
● The program for the aircraft was initiated by Gen. Thomas P. Stafford.
● The Stafford Museum is in the process of acquiring a F-117 fighter from the Air Force.
● The Air Force will demill the F-117 before it can be released to the museum.
● The museum is working with an Arizona contractor to restore the aircraft with painting
and replacing parts that have been removed.
WHO
● The Stafford Museum is working with many parties to acquire this fighter including the
Smithsonian, The U.S. Air Force and The U.S. Federal Government.
● Adding the Nighthawk to the upcoming stealth gallery will help the museum tell the story
of Gen. Stafford’s involvement in the program.
WHERE
● Stafford Air and Space Museum is located off I-40 and exit 84 on historic Route 66.
● The Nighthawk will be a part of Stafford’s upcoming stealth display.
WHEN
● It has not been announced when the Nighthawk will be released to the museum.
● U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe informed the museum the aircraft will be released from
demilling in the later half of 2021, but the Air Force has not confirmed this.
● The museum is open Monday through Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00
p.m. to 5:00 p.m.