Does anyone know for sure if the Air Force will be retiring the F-117 Nighthawk? I have heard rumors and have searched for info, but I have come up empty handed.
2007-10-05 12:45:15 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Yes it will be retiring. RIP wobbily-goblin. Its replacement is the F22.
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123030185
2007-10-05 13:12:42 · answer #1 · answered by Jimmy Petrucco 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well different missions really, the F-117 is an Attack/Bomber type aircraft, designed to fly at night, and be undetectable by radar carries all weapons internally. Although the A/C was developed in the mid-late 70's, it has an advanced computer fly-by- wire controls, modern glass cockpit and systems. It will easily stay in service for the next 5-10 years as a front-line aircraft. It also had a fantastic service/sortie rate (85/90%) during the first Gulf War. The F-22 is designed as a All weather Fighter/Attack, steallthy (more so than the F-117), but is also a supersonic (the first A/C to cruise supersonic without using afterburner) FIGHTER first, designed to defeat any opposing aircraft, an "Air Superority fighter". Its expensive, and will take several years to be fully intergrated into service. Yes, its a replacement for the F-117, but look for a later mark say a F-22 D/E model, with adjustments/modifications in the airframe (extra seat most likely) that will replace (and retire) the F-117 . After all look how long the F-15-16's have been in service
2007-10-05 13:33:46 · answer #2 · answered by gregva2001 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
The F-117 is already being retired.
They will finsh retireing all of them by 2008.
They are being replaced by the F-22.
2007-10-05 18:01:02 · answer #3 · answered by jeeper_peeper321 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has already been retired. Several have already been flown to the boneyard at Litchfield Park in Arizona. The replacement is the F-22 Raptor.
2007-10-05 16:59:05 · answer #4 · answered by desertviking_00 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Eventually thet will but not for some time. As long as it is an effective weapon they'll keep it. They still use the A-10 Thunderbolt (brought into service in 1977), but it does it's job very well. It well be around for probably more than a decade.
2007-10-05 14:35:11 · answer #5 · answered by lord_duckie 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I doubt it since the 117 has only been in service since the first gulf war in 1991 and it was pretty successful, The JSF is still a few years away from full deployment so until then I don't think so
2007-10-05 13:15:56 · answer #6 · answered by BILL 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
I doubt it until the JSF can be combat tested. For first strike options, the F-117 is one of our best tools.
2007-10-05 12:53:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Probably not for a few more years.
2007-10-05 13:14:25 · answer #8 · answered by booboo 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/f117/
2007-10-05 12:57:13 · answer #9 · answered by Joe 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I hope not
2007-10-05 14:13:43 · answer #10 · answered by cthulhu will raise 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋