#BeyondExplained
This was the true starting point, built by Lockheed's Skunk Works division in response to a DARPA competition for a low-observable demonstrator. Flown for the first time in 1978, Have Blue was much smaller than the F one seventeen but featured the signature angular design and radar-absorbent materials that would define the Nighthawk. Its success paved the way for further development.
Five of these larger prototypes were built and flown between 1981 and 1982. They incorporated lessons learned from Have Blue and were closer in size and capability to the final F one seventeen A production model. These prototypes underwent extensive testing, including evaluations of flight performance, weapons systems, and stealth effectiveness.
While not technically prototypes, the first few F one seventeen A aircraft built were used for further testing and refinement before full-scale production began. These early aircraft helped identify and address any remaining issues before the Nighthawk entered operational service.
But the Nighthawk's crowning achievement was perhaps its role in Operation Desert Storm. Here, it showcased its unrivaled ability to penetrate enemy defenses and strike with precision. The F one seventeen was the only aircraft that could operate in the heavily defended airspace over Baghdad, making it a vital asset in the successful campaign.
However, despite its sophistication and proven track record, the F one seventeen was retired. But why? A machine of such capability and significance, phased out of service. Well, as with all things in life, nothing lasts forever. The reasons for its retirement are complex and multifaceted."

Credit:
Dvids
USAF National Museum
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
Lockheed Martin
National Archive
Internet Archive
NASA
Smithsonian Institution


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