The original F-117A Nighthawk is exclusively a stealthy light bomber. However, General Resource capitalized on the stealthy aspect of the airframe to create the A/F-117X, which is a true attacker.
The A/F-117X features many utilities the F-117A lacks, like an internal cannon and afterburning engines, while also improving upon some of its existing aspects, with its enlarged weapons bays and redesigned lower tail section, particularly the exhausts. Its thrust-vectoring nozzles and COFFIN system greatly improve the flight characteristics of the unstable, difficult-to-fly Nighthawk airframe, giving it significantly more maneuverability while simultaneously making it a very stable aerial platform.
Despite all these upgrades, the A/F-117X is not a great aircraft: the F-117A was an early stealth aircraft that massively sacrificed speed and armament capacity for stealth, and the A/F-117X reflects this trend due to being entirely based on the basic F-117A airframe design.[1] GRDF mostly utilize it as a reconnaissance aircraft, deploying it as an attacker only in the direst of situations.
This aircraft makes relatively few appearances in the Intercorporate War, depending on Nemo's actions and allegiance. Should it be with UPEO, a NAV Hawk will be encountered in a no-fly zone. Nemo and Rena Hirose are ordered to pursue the aircraft. Should they succeed, they would find a General Resource base, and destroy it.[2] Afterwards, Rena will contact Nemo and request it to join her in an unauthorized flight over Expo City. Should it join her, a spy element of four NAV Hawks will be encountered over the city, and the two will receive orders to shoot them all down.[3]
However, should Nemo be with General Resource and perform certain criteria, Abyssal Dision will request it to fly recon over Expo City, a reversal of the events in the UPEO side.[4] After targeting specific facilities, Nemo will encounter a squadron of UPEO reinforcements, and will shoot them all down. The NAV Hawk will make no further appearances in the war past that point.
"An aircraft upgraded from the existing F-117. Many parts were enhanced in an effort to have the plane be able to perform all kinds of missions. Changes to the engines, lower tail, and enlargement of the weapons bay were emphasized, and has good power and stability. However, these upgrades were not substantial, and its abilities are not impressive."
Thrust vectoring is the ability to change the direction of thrust emitted from an engine. Aircraft with thrust vector control can perform enhanced maneuvers not available to aircraft without it.
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