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

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