The Official F-19 Stealth Fighter Handbook

by Richard Sheffield

F-117A VS. F-19

The F-19 Stealth Fighter envisioned by MicroProse and many others was a much larger, harder-hitting aircraft. But due to its size, the F-117A is probably more maneuverable. It's probably faster also, since both designs are said to use GE F404 engines, although it's hard to see how they could be crammed into the small airframe of the F-117A.

This small airframe would be a definite plus for stealth design. Since it would be much lighter, more nonreflective composite materials could be used. The F-117A would be much harder to spot either with radar or the human eye than the larger F-19.

Avionics are probably similar. At $60 million or so each, the F-117A should have the very latest in avionic and targeting equipment. This would include items seen on the F-19 such as targeting cameras, Forward-Looking Infrared sensors for night activity, laser target designators, and situation awareness maps and displays.

The F-19 Stealth Fighter, as pictured here, was envisioned to be bell-shaped, with a few sharp angles, and having inward canted stablizers.

The F-19 has four internal weapons bays, the F-117A only two. Consequently, the F-19 would be able to take out a large number of targets on a single mission. The F-117A would be limited to one or two sites.

Table of Contents
Previous Section: Infrared and Visual Detection Avoidance
Next Section: Other New Stealth Aircraft