After 25 years, it's off to AMARC...

F-117: A long, storied history that is about to end

by Staff Sgt. Matthew Bates
Air Force Print News

10/28/2006 - HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFPN) -- After 25 years of
storied service, the F-117 Nighthawk, the Air Force's first stealth fighter,
is about to retire. The technology that once made it a unique weapon system
has now caught up to it and newer fighter aircraft are now joining the
fleet. Still, the Nighthawk was the first of its kind, a fact anyone who has
spent time around the aircraft is quick to point out.

Many of these people were gathered here Oct. 29 to commemorate 25
years of Nighthawk history at the Silver Stealth ceremony. Members of the
F-117 community, past and present, were on hand to pay homage to the
aircraft's illustrious history, a history that contains as many secrets as
it does legends.

Since it was officially named a part of the Air Force in 1981, the
Nighthawk began making an impression on military officials. Not just because
it was "funny" looking, but because the aircraft brought many new
capabilities to the battlefield.

On Mar 14, 10:21 am, "Praetorian" dontwantany.com> wrote:

Indeed. And has anyone noticed the press releases that the F-117
is to be replaced by the F-22 Raptor? The F-117 is a stealthy,
long range bomb truck. It replaced the F-111 long range bomb truck
yonks ago.

F-111 => F-117 => F-22

The F-22 was always considered to be a strike fighter, not only an
air superiority machine, but capable in both roles (highly capable).

The F-22 was designed to replace the air superiority fighter the
F-15, and to replace the stealth bomb truck F-117.

The JSF is BEING designed to replace the F-16, A-10, FA-18 and
the Harrier.

[ F-16, A-10, FA-18, Harrier, [ F-5 ]] => F-35

Addinall said the following on 15/03/2008 2:41 AM:

Except I've heard that the USN would rather keep their Super Hornets.

On Mar 15, 4:41 am, Addinall addinall.org> wrote:

On Mar 15, 10:26 am, DC nospam.net> wrote:

I heard that as well. Someone else who doesn't want a fictional JSF.

Mark Addinall.

On Mar 15, 10:42 am, Trev gmail.com> wrote:

Addinall wrote:

On Mar 15, 10:42 am, Trev gmail.com> wrote:

On Mar 15, 6:17 pm, "Tomasso" wrote:

For those who keep harping about an airframe that isn't available to
us.....

It's worth noting the Japs are even interested in the Super Hornet. Also,
they recognise the F22 doesn't have the same sort of maritime strike
capability that we need.

BAE Systems is increasingly confident Japan will select the Eurofighter
Typhoon for its F-X fighter programme, according to sources close to
negotiations.

UK group BAE Systems has come to identify the F-X programme, which will see
the replacement of Japan's ageing F-4EJ Kai fleet with 60 advanced fighter
aircraft, as the main focus of its Typhoon export marketing effort in 2008.

A senior official at the British Embassy in Japan who has been party to
talks on the potential sale of the Typhoon told Jane's in late February that
he thought there was a "50:50" chance of Tokyo purchasing the aircraft.

Japan has also been considering the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and Boeing's
F-15EX and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet for its F-X requirement.