Nighthawk

Nighthawk was the operating name of a Vekoma Flying Dutchman roller coaster at Carowinds amusement park in North Carolina. The attraction began life as Stealth at California's Great America, where it opened on April 1, 2000, as one of the earliest examples of a flying roller coaster. Its defining feature was a seating system that rotated riders from an upright position into a face-down flying posture, creating the sensation of suspended flight while the train navigated a conventional steel coaster layout. The ride was constructed by Vekoma and measured approximately 2,766 feet (843 metres) in track length. Its lift hill rose about 115 feet (35 metres), and the train reached a reported maximum speed of approximately 51 mph (82 km/h). The layout included a horseshoe curve, a vertical loop, two corkscrews, and several transition elements that shifted riders between the ride's face-up and face-down positions. The trains used six cars with four riders per car, for a nominal capacity of 24 riders per train, with shoulder restraints and lap bars. Stealth operated at California's Great America from 2000 to 2003. The attraction experienced operational and engineering difficulties during its California run, including problems associated with electrical equipment used to control the restraint and seat-position systems. California's Great America announced in August 2003 that Stealth would close to make way for the Boomerang Bay water-park project. The ride was then relocated to Carowinds, where it was rebuilt with modifications intended to address prototype-related issues, including a redesigned electrical box. At Carowinds, the attraction opened on March 20, 2004, under the name Borg Assimilator. It was presented as the first roller coaster to use a Star Trek theme. Its fictional setting depicted a Borg vessel that had crashed at the park, represented by a large dark sphere positioned near the ride. The attraction also used themed scenery, audio, and references to the Borg. Its installation replaced the former Carolina Sternwheeler riverboat area; plans to preserve the boat as a restaurant were abandoned after the vessel was damaged during relocation. Cedar Fair acquired Carowinds in 2006. The company chose not to continue Paramount branding after the acquisition, and the Star Trek elements were removed. For the 2008 season, Borg Assimilator became Nighthawk. The ride received another visual update in 2009, with yellow track and dark blue supports. It continued operating for roughly two decades under the Nighthawk name, although its operational history included occasional maintenance and safety-related incidents typical of a complex flying-coaster mechanism. Carowinds announced on December 18, 2024, that Nighthawk would permanently close and be removed along with Drop Tower and Scream Weaver. The announcement followed the end of the park's operating season. Most of the coaster was dismantled by the end of March 2025, while the station remained at that point. In May 2025, one of the ride's trains was sent to the National Roller Coaster Museum. Nighthawk is therefore a discontinued attraction rather than an active consumer brand, and its principal significance lies in its history as a relocated flying coaster, a short-lived Star Trek-themed attraction, and a notable former ride at two major American amusement parks.

Nighthawk originated as Stealth, a Vekoma Flying Dutchman roller coaster at California's Great America. The park announced the project in June 1999 as a pioneering flying coaster. Unlike a conventional coaster, its trains could rotate riders into a prone position, allowing them to experience the track as if they were flying over it. Stealth opened on April 1, 2000. The California installation had a relatively short life. Its restraint and seat-position systems required complex electrical controls, and equipment mounted on each train contributed to stress on ride components. In August 2003, California's Great America announced that Stealth would close to make room for the Boomerang Bay water park. The attraction was selected for relocation to Carowinds, where engineers rebuilt it and redesigned the electrical box to address problems encountered during its initial operation. Carowinds announced the relocated attraction in 2003 and later revealed the name Borg Assimilator. The ride opened on March 20, 2004, as the first roller coaster associated with a Star Trek theme. Its narrative portrayed a Borg spacecraft crashing into Carowinds, with a large sphere installed in the pond beneath the ride. The attraction's queue and surrounding area incorporated additional themed elements and audio references. The new coaster also occupied an area associated with the former Carolina Sternwheeler riverboat. A proposal to preserve the boat and convert it into a restaurant was abandoned after the boat was damaged during relocation. Cedar Fair purchased Carowinds in 2006. Although the acquisition included an opportunity to use Paramount properties for a limited period, Cedar Fair declined to retain the Paramount identities. The Star Trek theming was removed, including the sphere in the pond, and Borg Assimilator was renamed Nighthawk for the 2008 season. The attraction received a further paint scheme change in 2009, adopting yellow track and dark blue supports. The ride's physical design remained its principal distinguishing feature. After riders were secured, the train tilted backward into a reclining position and left the station in reverse. It then climbed the lift hill before transitioning into the flying posture. The approximately 2,766-foot layout included a 115-foot lift, a maximum speed of about 51 mph, a vertical loop, a horseshoe curve, two corkscrews, and multiple Lie-to-Fly and Fly-to-Lie transitions. These elements moved riders between face-up and face-down orientations and produced the attraction's characteristic flying sensation. On March 17, 2007, seven employees received minor injuries during a test run when the seats changed position. The investigation found that a ride operator had inadvertently activated a control while the train was moving. The control was modified to prevent activation while the ride was in motion. No broader scandal or criminal matter is identified in the supplied reference material. Carowinds announced on December 18, 2024, that Nighthawk would close permanently and be removed along with two other rides. The announcement came after the operating season had ended. The coaster was largely dismantled by the end of March 2025, although the station remained at that time. In May 2025, a train was transferred to the National Roller Coaster Museum. Nighthawk is now defunct, but its successive identities—Stealth, Borg Assimilator, and Nighthawk—illustrate the relocation, re-theming, and rebranding of a major amusement-park attraction.

• 2025

  Ride train preserved

  [1]Nighthawk (roller coaster)en.wikipedia.org

  A train from Nighthawk was sent to the National Roller Coaster Museum in May.

• 2024

  Permanent closure announced

  [1]Nighthawk (roller coaster)en.wikipedia.org

  Carowinds announced the permanent closure and removal of Nighthawk on December 18.

• 2009

  New paint scheme applied

  [1]Nighthawk (roller coaster)en.wikipedia.org

  The track was painted yellow and the supports dark blue.

• 2008

  Renamed Nighthawk

  [1]Nighthawk (roller coaster)en.wikipedia.org

  The attraction was renamed Nighthawk after its Star Trek theming was removed.

• 2006

  Cedar Fair acquires Carowinds

  [1]Nighthawk (roller coaster)en.wikipedia.org

  Cedar Fair acquired Carowinds, initiating the eventual removal of Paramount identities from the attraction.

• 2004

  Borg Assimilator opens

  [1]Nighthawk (roller coaster)en.wikipedia.org

  The relocated coaster opened at Carowinds on March 20 under a Star Trek-based theme.

• 2003

  Relocation to Carowinds announced

  [1]Nighthawk (roller coaster)en.wikipedia.org

  California's Great America announced Stealth's closure and relocation to Carowinds.

• 2000

  Stealth opens at California's Great America

  [1]Nighthawk (roller coaster)en.wikipedia.org

  The attraction opened to the public on April 1, 2000.

• 1999

  Stealth announced

  [1]Nighthawk (roller coaster)en.wikipedia.org

  California's Great America announced Stealth as a flying roller coaster project described as a pioneering installation in the category.

A high-intensity amusement-park attraction positioned around the sensation of free flight, using Vekoma's flying-coaster seating system and a compact inversion-heavy steel layout.

• Flying roller coaster · 2008

  Nighthawk

  A Vekoma Flying Dutchman steel roller coaster formerly located at Carowinds. The ride used reclining trains that shifted riders into a face-down flying position, then returned them to a face-up position through a sequence of transition elements. Its approximately 2,766-foot course included a 115-foot lift hill, a vertical loop, two corkscrews, a horseshoe curve, and a reported top speed of about 51 mph. It operated under the Nighthawk name from 2008 until its closure.

• Original roller coaster identity · 2000

  Stealth

  The original name of the flying coaster at California's Great America. Stealth opened in 2000 and operated there until its closure and relocation to Carowinds in 2003.

• Themed roller coaster identity · 2004

  Borg Assimilator

  The name used at Carowinds from 2004 until the attraction was rebranded. The Star Trek theme depicted a Borg spacecraft crash-landing in the park and included themed scenery, audio, and a large sphere near the ride.

• 2024

  Retire and remove NighthawkOther

  Background

  Carowinds announced changes to its ride lineup after the 2024 operating season.

  Action taken

  The park permanently closed Nighthawk and began removing it along with Drop Tower and Scream Weaver.

  Aftermath

  Most of the coaster was removed by the end of March 2025, and a train was transferred to the National Roller Coaster Museum.

  Source

• 2008

  Remove Paramount and Star Trek identityStrategy

  Background

  After Cedar Fair acquired Carowinds, the park did not retain the Paramount-branded identity of the attraction.

  Action taken

  The Star Trek theming was removed and Borg Assimilator was renamed Nighthawk.

  Aftermath

  The ride continued operating as a non-licensed, non-Star Trek-themed flying coaster.

  Source

• 2003

  Relocate Stealth to CarowindsM&A

  Background

  California's Great America planned to close Stealth as part of the development of a water-park area, while Carowinds sought a new flying coaster.

  Action taken

  The attraction was dismantled and moved from California to Carowinds, where it was rebuilt with engineering modifications.

  Aftermath

  The ride reopened at Carowinds in 2004 under the name Borg Assimilator.

  Source

• 2022-01-04

  Netgear announces Nighthawk RAXE300 router release[2]Netgear宣布推出Nighthawk RAXE300路由器macrumors.com

  Reported: 2022-01-04

  Netgear announced the Nighthawk RAXE300 tri-band Wi-Fi 6E router and said it intends to release it in the first quarter of 2022 at a retail price of $399.99.

• 2020-08-11

  Netgear launches Nighthawk Mesh Wi-Fi 6 systems in India[3]Netgear 在印度推出 Nighthawk Mesh Wi-Fi 6 系统thehindubusinessline.com

  Reported: 2020-08-11

  Netgear announced the launch in India of two new Wi-Fi 6 systems, the Nighthawk Mesh Wi-Fi 6 MK62 and MK63.

1. 1Nighthawk (roller coaster)en.wikipedia.org
2. 2Netgear宣布推出Nighthawk RAXE300路由器macrumors.com
3. 3Netgear 在印度推出 Nighthawk Mesh Wi-Fi 6 系统thehindubusinessline.com
4. 4Netgear introduces Nighthawk Mesh WiFi 6 system in Indiathemobileindian.com
5. 5Netgear Introduces Nighthawk RAXE300 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6E Routerau.pcmag.com
6. 6NETGEAR launches MK83 Nighthawk Tri-Band Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System - BetaNewsbetanews.com
7. 7NETGEAR launches Nighthawk Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System "MK62" and "MK63" - Technutertechnuter.com
8. 8Netgear launches Nighthawk RAX20 Wi Fi 6 wireless router in India, price starts at Rs 11,699 - BusinessTodaybusinesstoday.in
9. 9Netgear unveils Nighthawk RAXE500, world's first Wi-fi 6E routertimesnownews.com