First Nighthawk Shot Down in Combat
March 27th, 1999
March 27th, 1999
How Long Ago?
25 years, 11 months, 16 days ago
Location
Budjanovci, Serbia
Category
Military & Warfare
War/Conflict
Kosovo War
People
- Dale Zelko
Links & References
Tags
First Nighthawk Shot Down in Combat
An American Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk was shot down by a Yugoslav Army surface-to-air missile (SAM) during the NATO bombing campaign in Kosovo. This incident marked a significant moment in military history, as it was the first and only confirmed loss of the F-117A Nighthawk during combat. The pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Dale Zelko, successfully ejected and was later rescued by allied forces. The downing occurred near the town of Budjanovci, in Serbia, raising questions about the effectiveness of stealth technology.
First F-117A Nighthawk lost in combat.
Pilot Lt. Col. Dale Zelko ejected safely.
Incident raised concerns over stealth technology.
Yugoslav military showcased parts of the aircraft.
What Happened?
The incident involving the downing of the F-117A Nighthawk occurred during NATO's Operation Allied Force, which aimed to address humanitarian issues in Kosovo amidst the conflict between Yugoslav forces and ethnic Albanians. The Nighthawk, known for its stealth capabilities, was tasked with precision bombing missions. On March 27, a Serbian radar operator detected the aircraft, which was unusual given its advanced stealth technology designed to evade such detection. A surface-to-air missile was launched, ultimately hitting the aircraft and causing it to crash. The pilot, Lieutenant Colonel Dale Zelko, ejected and eluded enemy forces until he was rescued several hours later by a U.S. military recovery team. This incident highlighted vulnerabilities in modern warfare and prompted discussions on the effectiveness of stealth technologies against improved radar systems. After the aircraft was downed, the Yugoslav military displayed parts of the Nighthawk, demonstrating their ability to counter even the most advanced U.S. military technology at that time.
Why Does it Matter?
The downing of the F-117A is noteworthy not only for being the first combat loss of the stealth aircraft but also for its implications on military strategies and technologies. It prompted a review of the effectiveness of stealth technology against evolving air defense systems. This incident also underscored the importance of electronic warfare and countermeasures, illustrating that even the most advanced technologies can have weaknesses when facing adversaries with the right capabilities.
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