Now You See It: US Air Force Took Ship's Name From 'Star Trek'

Birds of prey.

MAY 5, 2023 - Most Star Trek fans know that the name Enterprise was used for centuries by Naval vessels before Gene Roddenberry used it for the flagship of Starfleet and that an outpouring of support from fans of the show prompted NASA to use the name for the first space shuttle. Not nearly as many people are aware that Star Trek also contributed to the name of a formerly-classified experimental stealth fighter built in the 1990s.

According to information on the National Museum of the United States Air Force website, the Bird of Prey was designed to test new stealth technology and materials, and the exhibit includes the aircraft's fuselage and wings, as well as a video showcasing the plane's flight capabilities.

The triangular-shaped aircraft, developed by Boeing's Phantom Works division in the early 1990s, has a wingspan of 23 feet and is 47 feet long. Project developers chose the name Bird of Prey because of the plane's resemblance to the Klingon vessel class.

While Boeing’s Bird of Prey didn’t have a Klingon cloaking device, its dark paint and unique shape were designed to minimize its radar signature and make it difficult to detect.

The Bird of Prey made its first flight in 1996, but its existence was not publicly acknowledged until 2002. 

Like many experimental aircraft, the Bird of Prey was designed to test theories and never went into full production. The aircraft was retired in 1999, but its legacy lives on in the development of stealth technology used in current military aircraft.

Those wishing to see the jet in person can do so thanks to a display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. While there, visitors can also explore other exhibits showcasing the history of aviation and space exploration.