Lockheed Have Blue
Lockheed Martin · United States · first flew 1977 · fighter
The Lockheed Have Blue was a secret technology demonstrator built to validate the principles of low-observable (stealth) flight, using radical faceted geometry to scatter radar returns. Two aircraft were built and flown under deep secrecy at Area 51.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, delta |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 14.4 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | No tailplane |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Faceted stealth demonstrator with no conventional tail
- Highly swept delta planform with all-moving V surfaces
- Precursor to the F-117 Nighthawk
Unmistakable for its all-faceted fuselage, deeply swept delta wing, V-tail inward-canted surfaces, and complete absence of any rounded surfaces; far smaller and more angular than the production F-117.
Specifications
- The Lockheed Have Blue has a length of 14.4 m (47 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 6.86 m (23 ft).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Flown from 1977 to 1979 under the DARPA-funded Have Blue programme, the aircraft proved that a highly faceted shape could dramatically reduce radar cross-section. Both prototypes were lost in accidents but the programme directly led to the F-117 Nighthawk.
Variants
Two Have Blue prototypes (HB1001 and HB1002) were built; there were no production variants, the design evolving into the F-117.
Where you'll see it
The Have Blue never entered operational service; it was a pure technology demonstrator flown at classified test facilities in Nevada.
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- MiG-23P
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