| “ | The ideal weapon against anti-air weapons, the Stealth Fighter can move unseen through most enemy defences. It’s invisible to the enemy except when it drops its payload. The Stealth Fighter can be upgraded with laser missiles from the Air Field. - Generals manual(src) |
” |
The Stealth Fighter, or F-117A Nighthawk, although a fairly antiquated aircraft by the time of the GLA conflict, was still put to good use by certain USA generals.
Background[]
In spite of its name, the Stealth Fighter was more accurately a ground-attack or strike bomber aircraft, able to fire up to two missiles at a target before returning to a friendly Air Field to reload. More aptly for its name, the Stealth Fighter was invisible to most enemies at all times except when unloading its missiles or detected by any stealth-detect units and defenses. Particularly effective against base defense structures, the Stealth Fighter gained further usefulness later in the war with the introduction of Bunker Buster Bombs.
The majority of US generals had to opt for the Stealth Fighter as a promotional choice if they wished to obtain it. However, Air Force General Granger could obtain them without spending promotional points. Also, keeping with the cutting edge of defensive countermeasures, Granger equipped his Stealth fighters with point defense laser modules to protect them from enemy missiles.
Upgrades[]
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Laser-Guided Missiles | Increases the Stealth Fighter's missile damage by 25%. | Purchasable at any American air field for $1500 |
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Countermeasures | Increases the Stealth Fighter's resilience against enemy missiles. | Purchasable at any American air field in Zero Hour for $1000 |
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Bunker Busters | Stealth Fighter missiles can instantly clear any garrisoned structure, barring the Internet Center | Purchasable at any American air field in Zero Hour for $1000 |
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Advanced Training | Doubles experience gain for all USA units. | Purchasable at any Strategy Center for $1500 |
Game unit[]
Strategy[]
The Stealth Fighter is highly effective at attacking enemy engineering units and especially base defenses, thanks to its very high damage multiplier against the latter, as their own stealth detection will rarely prevent a successful alpha strike unless in significant numbers. While the Raptor packed a considerably more potent arsenal and capable of attacking air units, they were unable to cross a heated battlefield safely and may be exposed to enemy AA units like Quad Cannons, Avengers and Gatling Tanks. With the Bunker Busters upgrade, the Stealth Fighter gains an additional niche and can be used to empty garrisoned structures from a significant distance (even if they provide immunity to Flashbangs) if Rangers are unable to do so, with all vehicles in Tunnel Networks being forced to evacuate.
Counters and Drawbacks[]
The Stealth Fighter was comparatively expensive in terms of cost, superseded by only the Aurora/Aurora Alpha and requires an additional promotion point for most USA Generals, not to mention taking up a slot in Air Fields. Devastating in its own right, it is rather ineffective against all other ground targets, and cannot target air. It is easily outclassed by its alternatives and therefore seldomly used. The cheaper Raptor offers far more versatility in engagements, and even as a dedicated ground attacker, the Aurora variants are superior, having nearly guaranteed alpha strikes through invincibility in their attack runs and enough damage to destroy structures outright.
Changelog[]
- Generals patch 1.04: hit points increased from 120 to 140
- Zero Hour patch 1.03:
Trivia[]
- In real life, as reflected in game, F-117A is indeed classified as fighter, even though it cannot engage aerial targets: the F designation was given to it early in development for secrecy purposes.
- The F-22 Raptor's stealth characteristics and avionics are largely superior to that of the outdated F-117A Nighthawk, not to mention that it is capable of engaging both air and ground threats. This was most likely done due to balancing reasons, to give the Stealth fighter a better defined role while keeping Raptor a more conventional, non-overpowered unit.
- The Stealth Fighter has unused quotes for attacking aircraft, implying it was to also serve as a multirole aircraft.
- According to residual Zero Hour voice lines:
- Alexis Alexander was to possess the Support Stealth Fighter, which was able to heal nearby infantry.
- Townes was to possess the Laser Stealth Fighter, which attacks with lasers instead of bombs.
Quotes[]
| “ | Ready for covert mission. - When selected |
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| “ | They won't get a lock. - When selected |
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| “ | Slippery target. - When selected |
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| “ | Stealth Fighter, ready for fly-by. - When selected |
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| “ | Smooth and slick. - When selected |
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| “ | Undetectable. - When selected |
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| “ | Sneaking in. - When moving |
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| “ | Running cool and quiet. - When moving |
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| “ | I'll leave no trail. - When moving |
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| “ | No restrictions. - When moving |
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| “ | Paying a surprise visit. - When ordered to attack land units |
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| “ | In and out. - When ordered to attack land units |
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| “ | That's a lock. - When ordered to attack land units |
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| “ | We're going in. - When ordered to attack land units |
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| “ | Just passing through. - When ordered to attack land units |
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| “ | He's on my screen. - When ordered to attack air units |
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| “ | Out of the blue! - When ordered to attack air units |
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| “ | You got company. - When ordered to attack air units |
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| “ | Clear the skies! - When ordered to attack air units |
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| “ | Take 'em out! - When ordered to attack air units |
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| “ | Eject, quick! - When being shot down |
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| “ | This one's lost! - When being shot down |
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| “ | Aaaaaaaaaaa! - When being shot down |
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| “ | Fuel's almost gone! - When run out of fuel |
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| “ | Gotta land soon! - When run out of fuel |
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| “ | Get me down! - When run out of fuel |
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| “ | We're under wraps. - When ordered to patrol |
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| “ | I'll guard this airspace. - When ordered to patrol |
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| “ | Surveying the area. - When ordered to patrol |
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Cut Laser Stealth Fighter Quotes[]
| “ | Laser Stealth Fighter, ready for take-off. - When selected |
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| “ | Laser systems online. - When selected |
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| “ | Stealth Fighter, ready for laser combat. - When selected |
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| “ | Fill 'em with holes! - When ordered to attack |
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| “ | Blast 'em! - When ordered to attack |
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| “ | Heat 'em up! - When ordered to attack |
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Cut Support Stealth Fighter Quotes[]
| “ | Supporting our troops. - When selected |
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| “ | Support Stealth, here. - When selected |
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| “ | Health from above. - When selected |
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| “ | Let's get out there and support our troops. - When moving |
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| “ | Give 'em some health! - When moving |
” |
See also[]
 United States of America Generals Arsenal | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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