F-117 being retired next month

firebirdswm · March 11th, 2008, 10:00

I had no idea they were being retired! Was this big news already?

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

I_Money · March 11th, 2008, 10:41

We all knew - MikeD flies the F117 and told us a while ago it was going.

Foxcow · March 11th, 2008, 11:08

For some reason, I was under the impression that it was supposed to be retired last year sometime in September. Maybe the year before last.

Matt13C · March 11th, 2008, 12:17

It is being replaced by the F-22 if I recall correctly.

Kind of sucks, that jet is amazing looking. One did a flyby at an air show last year and it was awesome!

jynxyjoe · March 11th, 2008, 12:52

May the old girl rest in peace.

/side note
I think its hilarious the F-117 is being put to rest and the A-10 is getting re-engined for another 10 years of service. /end side note

BCTAv8r · March 11th, 2008, 13:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by jynxyjoe

May the old girl rest in peace.

/side note
I think its hilarious the F-117 is being put to rest and the A-10 is getting re-engined for another 10 years of service. /end side note

I'm glad. It's gonna be a very sad day when the hog gets retired.

Foxcow · March 11th, 2008, 14:29

Does anyone know how the F-22 compares to the F-117 in terms of observability? I have read a few different articles that make two different claims.

EnRoute · March 11th, 2008, 15:55

Yea that is my question. My understanding is that the 117 is far more stealthy than the F-22. The 117 is subsonic where as I believe the F-22 may be supersonic, but what good is that if it is not as stealthy. Aren't the stealth capabilities the whole reason that the F-117 was developed? This is the first I am hearing of the retirement of the F-117. It seems very bizarre to me as it has only been is service for what 18-20 years and has a very distinct mission?

Matt13C · March 11th, 2008, 16:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by EnRoute

Yea that is my question. My understanding is that the 117 is far more stealthy than the F-22. The 117 is subsonic where as I believe the F-22 may be supersonic, but what good is that if it is not as stealthy. Aren't the stealth capabilities the whole reason that the F-117 was developed? This is the first I am hearing of the retirement of the F-117. It seems very bizarre to me as it has only been is service for what 18-20 years and has a very distinct mission?

As far as I know the F-22 is more stealthy than the F-117. I remember hearing that an F-117 has a radar cross section of a small bird where the F-22 has one of a bee. With new passive radar it can detect targets while not being detected. It also is supersonic with super cruise so it can cruise at supersonic speeds the entire flight instead of just in short bursts giving it that surprise factor. On top of all that it is a fighter, so it can defend itself.

FiveO · March 11th, 2008, 16:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by jynxyjoe

/side note
I think its hilarious the F-117 is being put to rest and the A-10 is getting re-engined for another 10 years of service. /end side note

Sad but funny, and true. Long live the Hog!

Speed Pilot · March 11th, 2008, 17:25

The F-117 is stealthy as long as it has Jamming aircraft within close proximity. The F-117 shot down in Kosovo didn't wait for the EA-6B that was on station to refuel and return before he went in country. 10 minutes later he was shot down. Some British RAF guys I got to talk to here in Boise had lots of wonderful explitives for the F-22 when the engaged it in exercises in Alaska last year. Apparently they could get behind it but every time they tried to lock it up their computer told them there was nothing in front of them. Technology is a wonderful thing.

fsiflyer · March 11th, 2008, 19:54

The last crew of an F-117 will have a free charter flight back home on a B-52. Long live the BUFF.

Sorry MikeD!

March 11th, 2008, 10:00	#1
firebirdswm Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 402	F-117 being retired next month I had no idea they were being retired! Was this big news already? http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/03/11/ste....ap/index.html __________________ "Girlfriends are to airshows as cats are to baths." - Murdoughnut Private Pilot About 150 Hours Working on IR

March 11th, 2008, 10:41	#2
I_Money Moderator Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Socal Posts: 5,645	Re: F-117 being retired next month We all knew - MikeD flies the F117 and told us a while ago it was going.

March 11th, 2008, 11:08	#3
Foxcow Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: STL Posts: 1,014	Re: F-117 being retired next month For some reason, I was under the impression that it was supposed to be retired last year sometime in September. Maybe the year before last. __________________ "During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." George Orwell Trans States Airlines

March 11th, 2008, 12:17	#4
Matt13C Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Philly Posts: 561	Re: F-117 being retired next month It is being replaced by the F-22 if I recall correctly. Kind of sucks, that jet is amazing looking. One did a flyby at an air show last year and it was awesome!

March 11th, 2008, 12:52	#5
jynxyjoe Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Memphis Posts: 672	Re: F-117 being retired next month May the old girl rest in peace. /side note I think its hilarious the F-117 is being put to rest and the A-10 is getting re-engined for another 10 years of service. /end side note __________________ Rule #8: No matter how responsible he seems, never give your gun to a monkey.

March 11th, 2008, 14:29	#7
Foxcow Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: STL Posts: 1,014	Re: F-117 being retired next month Does anyone know how the F-22 compares to the F-117 in terms of observability? I have read a few different articles that make two different claims. __________________ "During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." George Orwell Trans States Airlines

March 11th, 2008, 15:55	#8
EnRoute Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Camas Posts: 30	Re: F-117 being retired next month Yea that is my question. My understanding is that the 117 is far more stealthy than the F-22. The 117 is subsonic where as I believe the F-22 may be supersonic, but what good is that if it is not as stealthy. Aren't the stealth capabilities the whole reason that the F-117 was developed? This is the first I am hearing of the retirement of the F-117. It seems very bizarre to me as it has only been is service for what 18-20 years and has a very distinct mission?

March 11th, 2008, 17:25	#11
Speed Pilot Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nampa, ID Posts: 65	Re: F-117 being retired next month The F-117 is stealthy as long as it has Jamming aircraft within close proximity. The F-117 shot down in Kosovo didn't wait for the EA-6B that was on station to refuel and return before he went in country. 10 minutes later he was shot down. Some British RAF guys I got to talk to here in Boise had lots of wonderful explitives for the F-22 when the engaged it in exercises in Alaska last year. Apparently they could get behind it but every time they tried to lock it up their computer told them there was nothing in front of them. Technology is a wonderful thing.

March 11th, 2008, 19:54	#12
fsiflyer Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: LAX & Moscow Russia (UUEE, UUWW, & UUDD) Posts: 358	Re: F-117 being retired next month The last crew of an F-117 will have a free charter flight back home on a B-52. Long live the BUFF. Sorry MikeD! __________________ FSIFLYER ATP, CFII, MEI, former U.S. Marine LR-60, HS-125 CL-300 Initial in September <--Russia's best export...old Soviet flags of course.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode