F-117 Nighthawk Shootdown over Serbia, 1999 - Animated

During the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, a USAF F-117 Nighthawk stealth aircraft conducts a strike mission into Serbia. Notably difficult to detect on radar, the commander of a Serbian Surface to Air Missile battery knows the Nighthawk is coming, but the aircraft's stealth technology "should" make the engagement almost impossible.

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[robbabcock_]

I have to give respect to the guy commanding the SAM battery. That's a great example of using your strengths against and enemy's weakness and not giving up just because you're outgunned. It's awesome the the he and the pilot both survived the war and remain friendly. Nothing personal, just two professional soldiers doing their duty to the best of their abilities.

[bartfoster]

Flying down the same corridors at the same times is just asking for something like this to happen. The SAM operator did an exceptional job with the equipment he had to work with.

[EyeOnTheTV]

It's always touching when opposing combatants eventually meet and are friendly. Two professionals at the top for their game just getting along talking shop.

[Anonim_Anonimovic]

I am Serbian, and this video:
1. Is so very well done and;
2. Brings back a lot of awful memories. My first memories from childhood were of my father frantically running down the stairs toward the basement and carrying me in his arms as the air raid sirens blared around...

1980-2000 were afwul years for the Balkan people... The fratricidal wars we fought were pointless, instigated by fascist paramilitaries and ultranationalist politicians on all sides, while the common people just trying to live their lives suffered and grieved. May this never occur again. I don't understand why we still fight in the comments like we, the common people, have ever gained anything from the hate brought on by corrupt, power-crazed politicians.

[bobtank]

This is an example of why stealth is not an excuse to just get lazy when executing strikes in a contested environment. The combination of factors leading up to this shoot-down, like flying the same corridors over and over an the lack of EW, lead the SAM operator to get the jump on the F-117 (props to that guy). Stealth should be used in conjunction with other techniques to increase the survivability of aircraft.

OTOH, one should not use this incident as an example of stealth being worthless.

[LIKWID]

Touched the wing of this very jet that was shot down when visiting Belgrade last September, they have it on display in the Aeronautical Museum with some other parts. Quite an incredible story to this day.

[zbaktube]

One more important thing to add: The sizes and shapes of the F117 was more or less public - This is why commander Zoltan Dani was able to fine-tune the radio locator to the aircraft. (He was investigating on the plane from '98 onward, he calculated the necessary frequencies to monitor it and he did the frequency-altering without permission on one of his radar's frequency. After that his SAM battery was able to follow the F117's when those were in range).

[boris]

I am living in town 15 km from crash site and we witnessed the fall. First there was a huge explosion and the clouds gone orange red. Then the big fireball fell from the sky, almost verticaly. we knew it is the plane. First confirmation came from the local radio later that night. Still got at home some small pieces of plane like souvenirs.

[cesarflores]

For the longest time I thought this story was a myth...the fact they met each other is amazing.

[Revy]

its cool that the pilot and AA commander met and were cool about it.

[junioraltamontent.]

Dani would go on to operate a bakery after retiring from military. When Zelko came to visit him in Serbia, Dani gave him a F117 shaped cake.

[MahBor]

There are billion dollar media companies who get everything completely wrong and can't even do basic research before reporting,
Then there's this channel who's always teaching and correct and has informative animations and doesn't wanna make the stories look like Hollywood to get views.
Thanks for all the hard work

[Ixa]

I was 9 years old when this happened, I was in a shelter with my parents in Belgrade and remember the news when this plane came down. Amazing documentary mate, very well done!

[aegystierone]

It's simply impressive how the Serbs were able to brought down one of the most sophisticated planes of the era with outdated weaponry. The lesson here is never ever underestimate your enemy.

[nematolvajkergetok]

Col. Dani is actually Hungarian. He is now retired, and runs a bakery. On every anniversary of his victory he bakes an F-117-shaped cake and shares it with his former war comrades.

[familycamper]

Serbian used to say "Sorry, we did not knew that it was a Stealth Airplane..." 😅

[arthunterns]

I remember Wesley Clark, and his "collateral damage" phrase, every time they shot civilians.

[otacaritmije]

I served as an operator on an S-125 Neva (SA-3 Goa) and as a courier to the commanding officer in the 250th Air Defense Missile Brigade. One of my duties was to maintain the memorial room in the brigade headquarters which holds the F117 parts, ejection seat, Colonel Zelkos kit, tail wing of F16, national hero medal and other items. It was an honor to serve with those men.

[badlandskid]

“I tried to kill you.”

“That’s ok, I tried to kill you.”

“Let’s be friends.”

[pj_surfs]

"so you're the guy who shot me down?" "Yep" "cool let's be friends!" 😂