Article

2008-03-06 Science & Technology

Air Force plans retirement ceremony to commemorate F-117

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Posted by 3dc 2008-03-06 14:00|| || Front Page|| [11131 views ] Top

#1 //cynic mode on//
After the Nighthawks are retired, the USAF can then say with a straight face that they need new assets, something to tide them over until the JSF comes on line.
Something like maybe the Euro-fighter; it would complement the KC-45 wonderfully.
//cynic mode off//
Gotta wonder if they aleady have something that is more stealthyier on the ramp at Tonapah....

Posted by USN,Ret. 2008-03-06 14:53|| 2008-03-06 14:53|| Front Page Top

#2 Maybe they could steal a cloaking device from the Ronulans?

Posted by Abdominal Snowman 2008-03-06 16:03|| 2008-03-06 16:03|| Front Page Top

#3 Gotta wonder if they aleady have something that is more stealthyier on the ramp at Tonapah....

I believe it's called the F-22.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2008-03-06 16:05|| 2008-03-06 16:05|| Front Page Top

#4 Do you think the USAF would retire these without having a replacement already in sufficient quantity and operational shape?

They sure do not seem to be kicking up a fuss, now, do they?

Remember nobody at all knew these things in 1986 when they were flying in squadron strength.

And consider that its even easier to make something extremely maneuverable and stealthy if it dos NOT have a crew. Not to mention lighter, cheaper, more payload and longer ranged. And controllable in large numbers from current highly survivable mobile platforms.

Just saying.

;-)

Posted by OldSpook 2008-03-06 16:20|| 2008-03-06 16:20|| Front Page Top

#5 Trying to remember off the top of my head, but wasn't the F-117 only built in small numbers (like 28 maybe) and that after 30 years of service their are down to half that number?

Posted by Clem Unash9749 2008-03-06 16:39|| 2008-03-06 16:39|| Front Page Top

#6 They bought a few more than 28. In 2006 the AF had 52 F-117s in service.

Posted by GK 2008-03-06 17:22|| 2008-03-06 17:22|| Front Page Top

#7 Yes they have the F-22, but check out the price.
and (show of hands please) does anybody remember a time the ascot boys weren't fishing about for some new shiny toy? I tend to think there is something out there that we haven't been shown yet.
(old fighter pilot joke:)
Q: What is the difference between a jet fighter and a jet fighter pilot?'

A: The engine stops whining after the flight

Posted by USN, Ret. 2008-03-06 17:46|| 2008-03-06 17:46|| Front Page Top

#8 The speculations I've heard involve ground-attack versions of the f-22 and f-23, with modifications from their public designs.

Of course, some of the F-22's apparently have different weapons bay layouts than others, and can carry more air-to-ground bombs than the original. (In the old days they'd have called them F-22B's or F-22C's, but these days that would actually take a different funding bill, so they just pretend it's a different block of the same model).

Posted by Abdominal Snowman 2008-03-06 22:30|| 2008-03-06 22:30|| Front Page Top

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