F-117 slipping quietly into history

Onkel Neal · 03-11-08, 08:22 AM

The world's first attack aircraft to employ stealth technology is slipping quietly into history.

Technicians service an F-117 stealth fighter after it arrived at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, on Monday.

The inky black, angular, radar-evading F-117, which spent 27 years in the Air Force arsenal secretly patrolling hostile skies from Serbia to Iraq, will be put in mothballs next month in Nevada.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/03/11/ste....ap/index.html

So, what are they replacing it with? Predator drones.

Oberon · 03-11-08, 08:31 AM

Sorry to see them go, have never seen one in flight in real life. However, in fairness, a Predator drone a) has no chance of friendly casualties and b) has probably a lower radar cross-section than a Nighthawk.

Still a bloody shame though, the Nighthawk is a very unique craft, and 27 years is pretty young.

Onkel Neal · 03-11-08, 08:34 AM

Yeah, time and tech moves on. If the "stealth fighter being retired because it is old tech" does not make you feel old...

Linton · 03-11-08, 08:44 AM

It makes me think what are have they got that is replacing it and hasn't yet been publicised!

Dowly · 03-11-08, 08:44 AM

Awww! F117 is one of my favorite planes when it comes to modern era.

sonar732 · 03-11-08, 08:49 AM

Per the article...

The F-117 is being replaced by the F-22 Raptor, which also has stealth technology.

seafarer · 03-11-08, 08:50 AM

Don't both the F-22 and the JSF have an even smaller radar cross section then the F-117 (at least without external payloads, that is). I'd kind of assumed the JSF would take over the role of the F-117?

Tchocky · 03-11-08, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Fifty-nine F-117s were made; 10 were retired in December 2006 and 27 since then, the Air Force said. Seven of the planes have crashed, one in Serbia in 1999.

Aye, it "crashed".

SUBMAN1 · 03-11-08, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seafarer

Don't both the F-22 and the JSF have an even smaller radar cross section then the F-117 (at least without external payloads, that is). I'd kind of assumed the JSF would take over the role of the F-117?

The F-22 and JSF have a considerably smaller radar cross section. And it can shoot back if shot at!

-S

03-11-08, 08:22 AM	#1
Onkel Neal Born to Run Silent Join Date: Jan 1997 Location: Cougar Trap, Texas Posts: 21,385 Downloads: 541 Uploads: 224	F-117 slipping quietly into history The world's first attack aircraft to employ stealth technology is slipping quietly into history. Technicians service an F-117 stealth fighter after it arrived at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, on Monday. The inky black, angular, radar-evading F-117, which spent 27 years in the Air Force arsenal secretly patrolling hostile skies from Serbia to Iraq, will be put in mothballs next month in Nevada. http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/03/11/ste....ap/index.html So, what are they replacing it with? Predator drones. __________________ SUBSIM - 26 Years on the Web

03-11-08, 08:34 AM	#3
Onkel Neal Born to Run Silent Join Date: Jan 1997 Location: Cougar Trap, Texas Posts: 21,385 Downloads: 541 Uploads: 224	Yeah, time and tech moves on. If the "stealth fighter being retired because it is old tech" does not make you feel old... __________________ SUBSIM - 26 Years on the Web

03-11-08, 08:44 AM	#4
Linton Sea Lord Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,898 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	It makes me think what are have they got that is replacing it and hasn't yet been publicised! __________________ http://lintonsview.blogspot.com/

03-11-08, 08:50 AM	#7
seafarer Commodore Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 622 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Don't both the F-22 and the JSF have an even smaller radar cross section then the F-117 (at least without external payloads, that is). I'd kind of assumed the JSF would take over the role of the F-117? __________________ My Father's ship, HMCS Waskesiu (K330), sank U257 on 02/24/1944 running SHIII-1.4 with GWX2.1 and SHIV-1.5 with TMO/RSRDC/PE3.3 under MS Vista Home Premium 32-bit SP1 ACER AMD Athlon 64x2 4800+, 4GB DDR2 RAM, 400GB SATA HD Antec TruePower Trio 650watt PSU BFG GeForce 8800GT/OC 512MB VRAM, Samsung 216BW widescreen (1680x1050) LCD

03-11-08, 08:31 AM	#2
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	Sorry to see them go, have never seen one in flight in real life. However, in fairness, a Predator drone a) has no chance of friendly casualties and b) has probably a lower radar cross-section than a Nighthawk. Still a bloody shame though, the Nighthawk is a very unique craft, and 27 years is pretty young.

03-11-08, 08:44 AM	#5
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,054 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	Awww! F117 is one of my favorite planes when it comes to modern era.

03-11-08, 08:49 AM	#6
sonar732 The Old Man Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Central MO Posts: 1,562 Downloads: 6 Uploads: 0	Per the article... The F-117 is being replaced by the F-22 Raptor, which also has stealth technology.