This is a VPB-122 squadron aircraft. Photo by Logan Coombs.

Lockheed built 5 Full Scale Development (FSD) aircraft, this 780 was FSD1. Construction of this aircraft started at Burbank (CA) in Nov'79. The Nighthawk was delivered to Area 51 / Groom Lake / Tonopah AFB on 17 Jan'81. Four months later, 780 made its 1st flight on 06:05 hrs in the morning on 18 Jun'81. The flight only lasted for 15 min. as the temperature of the exhaust buildup to high. On 1 July the 2nd flight was made, 35 min after t/o the test pilot experienced stability issues, but landed safely. Six flights followed. After an operational career, it was put preserved on 16 May'92.