penetration technology

Techniques that endow missiles and vehicles with low radar, infrared, and optical signatures so that they can penetrate an enemy's defences undetected. In 1980 the USA announced that it had developed such a piloted aircraft, known as as the F-117A Nighthawk. It comes in both fighter and bomber versions. The F-117 has seen action in US military operations in Panama and Kosovo, and in the Gulf War of 1991 and the invasion of Iraq in 2003.