Aircraft libraryLockheed F-117A Nighthawk
Lockheed F-117A NighthawkStaff Sgt. Aaron Allmon II · Public domain · F-117 Nighthawk Front.

Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk

A single-seat, twin-engine stealth attack aircraft developed by Lockheed.
Military jet1 profile choices

Know the plane

Lockheed developed the F-117A to attack high-value targets while reducing radar detection. Its low-observable design was the basis of the first operational stealth aircraft. A single pilot operates the aircraft, powered by two General Electric F404-F1D2 engines.

Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk

Crew
One↗
Engines
Two General Electric F404-F1D2↗

USAF Museum F-117A reference

Wingspan
43 ft 4 in↗
Length
65 ft 11 in↗
Maximum weight
52,500 lb↗
Internal stores capacity
5,000 lb↗

More about this aircraft on AirframeDB

Low-observable development and a test-aircraft survivor

Developed around reducing detection by radar, the F-117A first flew on 18 June 1981. The 4450th Tactical Group reached initial operating capability in October 1983, several years before the aircraft became publicly familiar. Its first combat use was in Panama in December 1989, followed by the Gulf conflict of 1990–1991.

The National Museum of the USAF records 59 production aircraft built between 1981 and 1990. Its exhibit is the second F-117A, used for development testing from 1981 to 1991. That individual history explains why a museum airframe can represent the programme’s experimental work rather than a front-line combat career.

Pitch commands and Mach hold

The 2023 MSFS 2020 guide describes +6G and -2G commands at full aft and forward stick. Mach hold changes pitch to maintain Mach; altitude, heading and destination/navigation hold are also documented.

Public sources 4
  1. Lockheed F-117A NighthawkMuseum aircraft history and technical notes
  2. F-117A User Guide — version 1.225 June 2023 · MSFS 2020 guide
  3. F-117 Nighthawk for Microsoft Flight SimulatorOriginal MSFS product · checked 11 October 2026
  4. F-117 Nighthawk for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024Separate MSFS 2024 product · checked 11 October 2026

How the profile models it

Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk

Free + Pro
MSFS 2020MSFS 2024Aerial Simulations

Lockheed developed the F-117A to attack high-value targets while reducing radar detection. Its low-observable design was the basis of the first operational stealth aircraft. A single pilot operates the aircraft, powered by two General Electric F404-F1D2 engines.

Aerial Simulations has separate original MSFS and MSFS 2024 products. The preserved June 2023 version 1.2 guide describes the MSFS 2020 implementation.

The 0.55 baseline spring has no low-speed blend or high-speed stiffening. A small 0.04 aerodynamic-load term uses a 300-KIAS reference; these are inherited force estimates.

Trim relief and local force trim are off. Gear-motion texture remains enabled, while flap, spoiler, reverse-thrust and engine-vibration cues are disabled.

This exact revision has not been enabled for public installation.

Controls and trim

The MSFS 2020 guide describes +6G at full aft stick and -2G at full forward stick, with angle-of-attack limits. These commanded-load values describe the add-on’s pitch logic. The profile’s fixed-centre spring and damping remain estimates rather than a measured F-117 force law.

F-117A User Guide — version 1.2

Equipment cues

The product listings include radar-cross-section monitoring, custom Mach hold, a drag chute and exterior animations. Gear-motion texture uses observed movement. No carrier, catapult or afterburner effect is introduced.

F-117 Nighthawk for Microsoft Flight SimulatorF-117 Nighthawk for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024

Autopilot

The guide’s autopilot has altitude, pitch-based Mach, heading and destination/navigation modes. Mach hold changes pitch rather than throttle. The guide does not publish calibrated servo targets, so physical autopilot following and neutral hold stay off.

F-117A User Guide — version 1.2

About the values

Gains are normalized profile estimates. Physical hand force depends on the device and its output limits. Indicated-speed references are tuning scales; physical acceptance of revision 2 remains pending.

Master gain & control system

Master gain85%

The final overall output scale applied to everything the model produces, before the device cap.

More: everything (spring, loads, effects) gets stronger together.

Less: everything softens together.

Why here: Scales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits.

Forces

Spring strength55%

The base centring force that pulls the stick back to centre. Every other force stacks on it. Too low and the stick feels limp in normal flight; too high and it fights your hand and masks the smaller cues layered above it.

More: firmer centring that resists your hand at all times.

Less: a limper stick that leans on aerodynamic load alone.

Why here: The inherited 0.55 spring supplies a fixed centre. Low-speed airspeed blending and high-speed stiffening are disabled.

Spring deadband4%

A small neutral zone around centre where the spring stays quiet, so tiny movements at rest don't chatter. Wider is calmer but looser; narrower is more precise but can twitch around centre.

More: a calmer but looser centre with more free play.

Less: a tighter centre that may chatter at rest.

Why here: Sets travel around the centre before the baseline spring resists. Smaller values engage it sooner.

Overall aerodynamic load4%

A master scale over both sustained axis loads, applied before their independent balance. Profiles normally leave this alone and tune the two axis loads instead.

More: both axes load up harder.

Less: both axes lighten together.

Why here: The 0.04 gain adds a small aerodynamic-load term alongside the fixed-centre spring. It does not reproduce the guide’s commanded-G law.

Airspeed blendingFalse

Enables the low-speed spring engagement window (start/full knots above). Off, the spring is constant at all speeds.

Why here: Allows baseline spring strength to rise with indicated airspeed where the control law permits it.

Low-speed spring floor50%

How much of the spring survives at a standstill, before airspeed can build any aerodynamic force. A high floor keeps the parked stick firm; a low floor gives the loose, cable-slack feel of a parked light aircraft.

More: a firmer stick while parked and taxiing.

Less: a floppier parked stick that only wakes up with airspeed.

Why here: Sets low-speed spring strength as a fraction of baseline when blending is enabled. One keeps full strength.

Spring engagement start20 kt

The airspeed where the spring begins climbing from its low-speed floor toward full strength: the controls "coming alive" on the takeoff roll.

Why here: Sets the IAS where the low-speed spring blend starts rising. This is a feel threshold, not a flight limit.

Spring engagement full90 kt

The airspeed where the spring reaches full strength. Between the start and this point, centring firms up progressively as airflow builds over the controls.

Why here: Sets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it.

Force tuning speed300

The indicated airspeed where aerodynamic load reaches its designed full level. It anchors the whole load curve to the aircraft's real speed range: a 172 loads up by 110 knots, a jet much later.

More: loads arrive later; the stick stays light up to a higher speed.

Less: loads arrive earlier and cruise feels heavier.

Why here: The retained 300-KIAS reference is the profile’s aerodynamic load scale; it is not a published F-117 cruise speed or limit.

Centre firmness vs speed0%

How much the centring itself stiffens with speed, on top of the deflection loads. Zero keeps centre feel constant; more makes the stick centre harder at cruise and looser in the pattern.

More: a centre that hardens noticeably as you go faster.

Less: constant centre feel at every speed.

Why here: Adds permitted spring resistance above the full-blend speed. Zero removes this high-speed increase.

Centre stiffening cap5

The upper limit on speed-driven centre stiffening, so very fast flight can't wind the spring up without bound.

More: more total stiffening allowed at high speed.

Less: stiffening clamps off sooner.

Why here: Limits the squared airspeed ratio used for high-speed spring stiffening; it is not a device-force cap.

Aileron load100%

The sustained roll load from aileron deflection and airspeed, balanced independently of pitch. Together with the elevator load it sets the control-harmony ratio reviewers talk about.

More: heavier roll forces.

Less: lighter, quicker-feeling ailerons.

Why here: Scales roll aerodynamic loading. The separate roll spring curve also affects total axis balance.

Elevator load100%

The sustained pitch load from elevator deflection and airspeed, balanced independently of roll. This is the main lever behind a type's pitch weight. It does not touch aileron, spring, trim, or buffet forces.

More: heavier sustained pitch forces at speed.

Less: a lighter elevator that takes less muscle to hold.

Why here: Scales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings.

Max output force55%

A cap on each steady pitch or roll force before it reaches the device, guarding against slamming or saturating the hardware in strong maneuvers.

More: stronger peak steady forces before clipping.

Less: a gentler ceiling; hard maneuvers flatten out sooner.

Why here: Caps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate.

Trim

Trim relief (elevator)30%

How strongly elevator trim relieves held pitch force and shifts where the stick settles. At 100%, a properly trimmed aircraft needs no held pressure, the trim-away-the-load workflow of real flying.

More: trim removes more of the held pitch force; at 100% full trim zeroes it.

Less: you keep holding force even when trimmed.

Why here: The stored pitch authority is inactive because trim relief is disabled; simulator trim does not move the hardware neutral through this effect.

Trim relief (aileron)30%

The same relief for roll trim. Most GA types have no real aileron trim, so this stays at zero; types with roll trim get a matching value.

More: roll trim removes more held roll force.

Less: roll trim does less.

Why here: Scales supported roll-trim relief and permitted centre movement. Zero removes roll response.

Effect gains · ground

Runway rumble36%

Rolling surface vibration from wheel speed and surface type: pavement, grass, or gravel under the gear.

More: louder surface texture through the stick.

Less: a smoother taxi.

Why here: Sets rolling texture strength, modified by speed, surface and undercarriage configuration.

Gear bumps30%

Short discrete bumps from expansion joints, ruts, and rough surface, punctuating the continuous rumble.

More: sharper hits from joints and ruts.

Less: softer ground detail.

Why here: Sets gear-bump texture during ground motion, separate from touchdown impact.

Effect gains · airframe

Stall buffet15%

Airframe shake approaching the stall and while the stall warning is active: how loudly this wing announces it is unhappy. Types with a crisp break get modest buffet and let the horn carry the warning.

More: a louder pre-stall shake.

Less: a quieter wing; the horn carries the warning.

Why here: Sets stall-buffet strength. Zero removes the cue without changing simulator stalls or warnings.

Mach buffet0%

Transonic buffet approaching the Mach limit. Meaningful for jets near MMO, zero for pistons and turboprops that never get there.

More: stronger transonic buffet near the Mach limit.

Less: a smoother high-Mach ride.

Why here: Sets high-Mach buffet strength; onset and full-strength thresholds are separate.

Flap buffet0%

Low-frequency airframe vibration with flaps extended into the airflow, in the speed window where they actually work the air.

More: a rougher ride with flaps working the air.

Less: smoother approach flap.

Why here: Flap buffet is disabled; conventional flap behavior is not inferred from the shared force parent.

Gear buffet10%

Airframe drumming from retractable gear hanging in the airstream. Zero for fixed-gear types, where the airframe never changes shape.

More: more drumming with the wheels hanging out.

Less: cleaner gear-down flight.

Why here: Sets gear aerodynamic buffet; movement and ground-contact cues are separate.

Stick shaker50%

The dedicated stall stick-shaker buzz, fired by the aircraft's own stall-warning system. Only types with a real shaker get a value; everything else relies on aerodynamic buffet and the horn.

More: a harder stick-shaker buzz.

Less: a subtler shaker.

Why here: Sets triggered shaker strength; inactive while the shaker feature is disabled.

Spoiler buffet0%

Shake from deployed spoilers or speedbrakes at speed. Zero for types without them.

More: more shake with boards out.

Less: quieter speedbrakes.

Why here: Spoiler buffet is disabled; a spoiler cue is not inferred from the shared force parent.

Effect gains · engine, mechanical & drag

Touchdown thump88%

The one-shot kick when the wheels meet the runway, scaled by sink rate: a greaser whispers, a firm arrival thumps.

More: a harder kick at touchdown.

Less: softer arrivals.

Why here: Sets landing-impact strength; landing telemetry and response shape determine the pulse.

Reverse rumble0%

Rollout vibration while reverse thrust or beta-range props are working. Zero for types without reverse.

More: a rougher rollout under reverse.

Less: quieter reverse.

Why here: Reverse-thrust vibration is disabled.

Engine rumble0%

Continuous powerplant vibration following RPM between idle and full power, the ever-present reminder that something is burning fuel up front.

More: more engine through the stick.

Less: a quieter powerplant.

Why here: Engine rumble is off, alongside simulator engine-vibration following. No measured F-117 engine or afterburner vibration is assigned.

Flap motion0%

Continuous vibration only while the sim reports the flap surfaces actually travelling. It follows real actuator motion and failures, not an estimated timer.

More: more vibration while the flap surfaces travel.

Less: quieter flap runs.

Why here: Flap-motion texture is disabled.

Flap drag0%

The sustained pitch-force change from flap drag at airspeed. Extending flaps should change what your hand holds, not just make noise.

More: a bigger stick-load change when the flaps come out.

Less: less trim shift from flap.

Why here: This independently configured effect remains subject to valid simulator telemetry and bounded device output.

Spoiler drag0%

The sustained load change from deployed spoilers. Zero for types without them.

More: a bigger load change from the boards.

Less: less.

Why here: This independently configured effect remains subject to valid simulator telemetry and bounded device output.

Flap detent click0%

The short mechanical click on each flap-handle detent. The handle, not the surfaces.

More: a sharper detent click.

Less: a fainter click.

Why here: Discrete flap-step texture is disabled.

Flap arrival0%

The small airframe settle when flap-surface travel completes, driven by the surface arriving, not the handle command.

More: a firmer settle as flaps reach the notch.

Less: a softer arrival.

Why here: Flap-arrival texture is disabled.

Autopilot follow

AP follow authority5%

How far autopilot commands may physically move the stick. Kept tiny in MSFS, where a moved axis can read back as pilot input; zero disables following entirely.

More: the autopilot visibly moves your stick further.

Less: a barely perceptible follow.

Why here: Sets admitted AP-follow gain, not a percentage of travel. Runtime ownership and input limits still apply.

Stick feel

StickFeel · Trim feel enabledFalse

Whether this feature is active in this profile.

Why here: Retained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement.

StickFeel · Trim relief enabledFalse

Whether this feature is active in this profile.

Why here: Trim relief is disabled. The guide’s simulator trim adjustment does not establish a physical neutral-to-trim relationship.

StickFeel · Force trim enabledFalse

Whether this feature is active in this profile.

Why here: Enables local force trim, separate from aircraft-owned trim and add-on integration qualification.

StickFeel · G load enabledFalse

Whether this feature is active in this profile.

Why here: Allows load-factor changes to modify permitted spring laws. Passive fly-by-wire feel can suppress it.

StickFeel · Rate damping enabledTrue

Whether this feature is active in this profile.

Why here: Enables rate damping with the configured coefficients and control law.

Autopilot

Autopilot · Follow enabledFalse

Whether this feature is active in this profile.

Why here: The guide’s autopilot has altitude, pitch-based Mach, heading and destination/navigation modes. Mach hold changes pitch rather than throttle. The guide does not publish calibrated servo targets, so physical autopilot following and neutral hold stay off.

Autopilot · Neutral hold enabledFalse

Whether this feature is active in this profile.

Why here: Permits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target.

Autopilot · Neutral hold strength0.6

Why here: Sets admitted AP neutral-hold strength; inactive while neutral hold is disabled.

Aero

Aero · EnabledTrue

Whether this feature is active in this profile.

Why here: Enables aerodynamic cues; each still needs nonzero strength and its simulator conditions.

Aero · Max flap index2

Where this effect reaches full strength (or has fully faded, for washouts).

More: a more gradual build to a later peak.

Less: a quicker build.

Why here: Sets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3.

Aero · Min flap index2

Where this effect begins fading in.

More: the effect begins later.

Less: it begins earlier.

Why here: Sets the first flap detent that admits buffet; this is a handle index, not degrees.

Aero · Shaker enabledFalse

Whether this feature is active in this profile.

Why here: Permits shaker at supported warning conditions; the switch does not establish aircraft equipment.

Ground

Ground · EnabledTrue

Whether this feature is active in this profile.

Why here: Enables ground effects; each still needs its own strength and contact or motion telemetry.

Engine

Engine · EnabledFalse

Whether this feature is active in this profile.

Why here: Enables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry.

Mechanical

Mechanical · EnabledTrue

Whether this feature is active in this profile.

Why here: Enables accessory cues with configured strengths and observed accessory movement.

Mechanical · Gain0.12

The strength of this effect.

More: a stronger effect.

Less: a weaker one.

Why here: Sets texture from observed gear movement, separate from aerodynamic and touchdown effects.

Stick alive

StickAlive · EnabledFalse

Whether this feature is active in this profile.

Why here: This independently configured effect remains subject to valid simulator telemetry and bounded device output.

Sim engine vibrationFalse

Uses the simulator's own engine-vibration signal where available, instead of a synthesized rumble.

Why here: This independently configured effect remains subject to valid simulator telemetry and bounded device output.

Hydraulics

Hydraulics · Loss load increase0

Why here: Hydraulic-loss loading is zero. An aircraft-specific F-117 failure-to-inceptor response has not been established.

All profile settings
Estimated profile settings
ParameterValueWhat it controls and why
Spring strength0.55 The inherited 0.55 spring supplies a fixed centre. Low-speed airspeed blending and high-speed stiffening are disabled.
Spring deadband0.04 Sets travel around the centre before the baseline spring resists. Smaller values engage it sooner.
Force gain0.04 The 0.04 gain adds a small aerodynamic-load term alongside the fixed-centre spring. It does not reproduce the guide’s commanded-G law.
Master gain0.85 Scales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits.
Dynamic-pressure blendFalse Allows baseline spring strength to rise with indicated airspeed where the control law permits it.
Minimum spring factor0.5 Sets low-speed spring strength as a fraction of baseline when blending is enabled. One keeps full strength.
Spring wake-up speed20 ktSets the IAS where the low-speed spring blend starts rising. This is a feel threshold, not a flight limit.
Spring full-strength speed90 ktSets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it.
Force tuning speed300.0 ktThe retained 300-KIAS reference is the profile’s aerodynamic load scale; it is not a published F-117 cruise speed or limit.
Airspeed spring stiffening0 Adds permitted spring resistance above the full-blend speed. Zero removes this high-speed increase.
Airspeed stiffening cap5 Limits the squared airspeed ratio used for high-speed spring stiffening; it is not a device-force cap.
Aileron force scale1 Scales roll aerodynamic loading. The separate roll spring curve also affects total axis balance.
Elevator force scale1 Scales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings.
Maximum output force0.55 Caps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate.
StickFeel · Trim feel enabledFalse Retained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement.
StickFeel · Trim relief enabledFalse Trim relief is disabled. The guide’s simulator trim adjustment does not establish a physical neutral-to-trim relationship.
StickFeel · Elevator authority0.3 The stored pitch authority is inactive because trim relief is disabled; simulator trim does not move the hardware neutral through this effect.
StickFeel · Aileron authority0.3 Scales supported roll-trim relief and permitted centre movement. Zero removes roll response.
StickFeel · Force trim enabledFalse Enables local force trim, separate from aircraft-owned trim and add-on integration qualification.
StickFeel · G load enabledFalse Allows load-factor changes to modify permitted spring laws. Passive fly-by-wire feel can suppress it.
StickFeel · Rate damping enabledTrue Enables rate damping with the configured coefficients and control law.
Autopilot · Follow enabledFalse The guide’s autopilot has altitude, pitch-based Mach, heading and destination/navigation modes. Mach hold changes pitch rather than throttle. The guide does not publish calibrated servo targets, so physical autopilot following and neutral hold stay off.
Autopilot · Follow authority0.05 Sets admitted AP-follow gain, not a percentage of travel. Runtime ownership and input limits still apply.
Autopilot · Neutral hold enabledFalse Permits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target.
Autopilot · Neutral hold strength0.6 Sets admitted AP neutral-hold strength; inactive while neutral hold is disabled.
Aero · EnabledTrue Enables aerodynamic cues; each still needs nonzero strength and its simulator conditions.
Aero · Gain0.15 Sets stall-buffet strength. Zero removes the cue without changing simulator stalls or warnings.
Aero · Gain0 Sets high-Mach buffet strength; onset and full-strength thresholds are separate.
Aero · Gain0 Flap buffet is disabled; conventional flap behavior is not inferred from the shared force parent.
Aero · Max flap index2 Sets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3.
Aero · Min flap index2 Sets the first flap detent that admits buffet; this is a handle index, not degrees.
Aero · Gain0.1 Sets gear aerodynamic buffet; movement and ground-contact cues are separate.
Aero · Shaker enabledFalse Permits shaker at supported warning conditions; the switch does not establish aircraft equipment.
Aero · Amplitude0.5 Sets triggered shaker strength; inactive while the shaker feature is disabled.
Ground · EnabledTrue Enables ground effects; each still needs its own strength and contact or motion telemetry.
Ground · Gain0.36 Sets rolling texture strength, modified by speed, surface and undercarriage configuration.
Ground · Gain0.3 Sets gear-bump texture during ground motion, separate from touchdown impact.
Ground · Gain0.88 Sets landing-impact strength; landing telemetry and response shape determine the pulse.
Ground · Gain0 Reverse-thrust vibration is disabled.
Engine · EnabledFalse Enables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry.
Engine · Gain0 Engine rumble is off, alongside simulator engine-vibration following. No measured F-117 engine or afterburner vibration is assigned.
Mechanical · EnabledTrue Enables accessory cues with configured strengths and observed accessory movement.
Mechanical · Gain0 Flap-motion texture is disabled.
Mechanical · Gain0.12 Sets texture from observed gear movement, separate from aerodynamic and touchdown effects.
StickAlive · EnabledFalse This independently configured effect remains subject to valid simulator telemetry and bounded device output.
StickAlive · Use sim engine vibrationFalse This independently configured effect remains subject to valid simulator telemetry and bounded device output.
Hydraulics · Loss load increase0 Hydraulic-loss loading is zero. An aircraft-specific F-117 failure-to-inceptor response has not been established.
Aero · Gain0 Spoiler buffet is disabled; a spoiler cue is not inferred from the shared force parent.
AeroDrag · Gain0 This independently configured effect remains subject to valid simulator telemetry and bounded device output.
AeroDrag · Gain0 This independently configured effect remains subject to valid simulator telemetry and bounded device output.
Mechanical · Gain0 Discrete flap-step texture is disabled.
Mechanical · Gain0 Flap-arrival texture is disabled.
Public sources 4
  1. Lockheed F-117A NighthawkMuseum aircraft history and technical notes
  2. F-117A User Guide — version 1.225 June 2023 · MSFS 2020 guide
  3. F-117 Nighthawk for Microsoft Flight SimulatorOriginal MSFS product · checked 11 October 2026
  4. F-117 Nighthawk for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024Separate MSFS 2024 product · checked 11 October 2026

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