Stealth or LO (Low Observables) governs the design of all today's combat aircraft. Any aeroplane or helicopter that enters hostile airspace has to do its best to be undetectable. This means it must try to be invisible to radar, invisible to the eye, invisible to infrared or heat sensors and silent. This programme traces the attempts made by aircraft designers since World War II to try to achieve invisibility. The first such stealth warplane, the USAF s amazing Lockheed F-117A, was used in action during 'Operation Just Cause' in Panama 1989. Close behind it came the Northrop B-2 which was designed, made and flown by computers. In 1991 the USAF chose between the Northrop/McDonnell Douglas YF-23 and the Lockheed/GD/Boeing YF-22 as its future Advanced Tactical Fighter and this programme examines the prototypes of these supersonic aircraft. This fascinating footage is accompanied by a detailed script by aviation expert Bill Gunston.
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