*** Posted by Rapier ***
Hello Run,

Of course the F-117 is a stealth aircraft, so aerodynamics suffer with this plane. Designing a supersonic stealth aircraft would not be practical at all because supersonic aircraft send out an excellent heat signature, so it would not make it a steathy plane at all. Very advanced material's would have to be used for this, but I dont think the technology is quite there yet. Just like you said a compromise must be made in this situation. I found some info once that the SR-71 would sometimes expand by as much as 11 inches when the pilot pushed it to it's maximum speed and could'nt be held long because the cabin on the aircraft would get so hot that they found it difficult in these circumstances. As you can see the cockpit area of the SR-71 is not very aerodynamic and this was where the problem with heat build up was. I wonder if the same thing happens to the F-16, but on a much smaller scale.

Regards

Rapier.

[---snip
Sometimes you have to compromise, fx when it comes to stealth. The f-117 is not excactly gods gift to aerodynamics.

run]