The Northrop P-61 Black Widow, named for the North American spider, was the first operational U.S. airplane designed as a night fighter, and the first aircraft designed to use radar. The P-61 had a crew of three: pilot, gunner, and radar operator. | War History Online

The P-61 Black Widow was the first operational U.S. aircraft specifically designed as a night-fighter and played a critical role in World War 2... | Dark Documentaries

Northrop P-61C Black Widow The heavily-armed Black Widow was the United States' first aircraft specifically designed as a night-fighter. The P-61 carried radar equipment in its nose that enabled its crew of two or three to locate enemy aircraft in total darkness and fly into proper position to attack. #avgeek #history | National Museum of the U.S. Air Force

German Pilots Couldn’t Believe One P-61 Black Widow Was Hunting Them at Night The Northrop P-61 Black Widow was America’s first purpose-built night fighter and one of the most advanced aircraft of World War II. Designed to hunt in total darkness, the P-61 combined airborne interception radar, heavy 20mm cannons, long endurance, and twin-engine power to intercept enemy bombers, V-1 flying bombs, and night intruders over Europe and the Pacific. Developed in response to the German Blitz and Luftwaf