F-117 NightHawk's Still Active?

Apparently they are.

https://theaviationist.com/?p=39899%3Fp%3D39899

If I recall correctly, and mvsgas can probably shed more light on this, they're in flying storage, or something like that, where they can be reactivated in a very short period of time. In order to do that, they need to be unwrapped, filled up, flown, maintained, then re-stored every so often.

That, or the QF-117's program has started ;)

If I recall correctly, and mvsgas can probably shed more light on this, they're in flying storage, or something like that, where they can be reactivated in a very short period of time. In order to do that, they need to be unwrapped, filled up, flown, maintained, then re-stored every so often.

I also think that is what their status is. Still too much potential use to just put them in a boneyard but not enough to maintain fully active status.

Makes one wonder how cost effective that is though. I guess the maintainers get reassigned until they need someone that understands how to take care of the aircraft.

If I recall correctly, and mvsgas can probably shed more light on this, they're in flying storage, or something like that, where they can be reactivated in a very short period of time. In order to do that, they need to be unwrapped, filled up, flown, maintained, then re-stored every so often.

I also think that is what their status is. Still too much potential use to just put them in a boneyard but not enough to maintain fully active status.

 

Makes one wonder how cost effective that is though. I guess the maintainers get reassigned until they need someone that understands how to take care of the aircraft.

Here is an article explaining the F-117 and Type 1000 storage.

http://intercepts.defensenews.com/2014/11/we-now-know-why-the-f-117-is-still-flying/

It's always fun though to come up with theories as to what the F-117 could be up to these days....one of them just might be true.

I dont think they will end in the boneyard. They choped up every usable F-14 components in order not to end on iranian hands, and I guess a stealth plane would have its security level tightened a few notches up.

Here is an article explaining the F-117 and Type 1000 storage.

http://intercepts.defensenews.com/2014/11/we-now-know-why-the-f-117-is-still-flying/

Thanks. I can't help but feel that if it can take 30-120 days to return the aircraft to service, then the ability to bring them online 'in case of emergency' isn't all that good. A month is a long time, in terms of dealing with an active military threat, IMHO.

With the rise of foreign made aircraft with stealth or LO attributes, there may be value in keeping some of the old Wobblin' Goblins airworthy to develop means to combat stealth.

They also give us an active platform to measure our own stealth detection capabilities against multiple generations of technology.

With the rise of foreign made aircraft with stealth or LO attributes, there may be value in keeping some of the old Wobblin' Goblins airworthy to develop means to combat stealth.

If I recall correctly, and mvsgas can probably shed more light on this, they're in flying storage, or something like that, where they can be reactivated in a very short period of time. In order to do that, they need to be unwrapped, filled up, flown, maintained, then re-stored every so often.

Fortunately, I do not know the current status of any F-117, this is an old photo found online

https://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=2815826&postcount=108

Additionally, recently, I saw some job postings which stated F-117 experience preferred, you guys can infer what you want out of that. I can't seem to find those jobs posting anymore. Maybe you guys can find them.

Here is an article explaining the F-117 and Type 1000 storage.

http://intercepts.defensenews.com/2014/11/we-now-know-why-the-f-117-is-still-flying/

 

It's always fun though to come up with theories as to what the F-117 could be up to these days....one of them just might be true.

In that article, the show pictures of the F-117 "gate guard" at Holloman AFB.

click on image to enlarge

Nighthawk returned to Holloman Heritage Park

 

The famed F-117 Nighthawk was returned to the Holloman Heritage Park on June 28, 2014, after a 4-month restoration project. After being exposed to the elements since 2008, the aircraft was in need of repair. The 49th Maintenance Squadron returned the aircraft to the condition it was in during its stay at Holloman. The aircraft was painted to represent aircraft 793 which dropped the first bombs in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The aircraft is actually Scorpion 3, which is one of the original Senior Trend aircraft and was used to reveal the Stealth's existence to officials in December 1983 when the program was still top secret. The restored F-117, shown here, made its debut at the Holloman Open House in May 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo by Mr. Arlan Ponder)

That aircraft is highly modified. Obviously all classified material is removed so the nose, leading edges, trailing edges, the paint etc. was fabricated so the aircraft look normal.

I dont think they will end in the boneyard. They choped up every usable F-14 components in order not to end on iranian hands, and I guess a stealth plane would have its security level tightened a few notches up.

Actually, even when in active duty, the aircraft did not have a higher security unless it was deployed over seas or in an airshow. At home base (Holloman AFB) the security was the same as any other military aircraft.

I dont think they will end in the boneyard. They choped up every usable F-14 components in order not to end on iranian hands, and I guess a stealth plane would have its security level tightened a few notches up.

Not every tomcat was diced...

Thanks. I can't help but feel that if it can take 30-120 days to return the aircraft to service, then the ability to bring them online 'in case of emergency' isn't all that good. A month is a long time, in terms of dealing with an active military threat, IMHO.

Not to mention the fact that no-one has trained how to fly or maintain the F-117 since 2008

Not to mention the fact that no-one has trained how to fly or maintain the F-117 since 2008

In light of the fact the videos obviously shows 2 F-117As in flight...in 2016...id have to say your comment is incorrect.

Sierra99

In light of the fact the videos obviously shows 2 F-117As in flight...in 2016...id have to say your comment is incorrect.

 

Sierra99

here is a link to the video Sierra99 is referencing and a story about it

https://theaviationist.com/2016/09/23/watch-two-f-117-stealth-jets-fly-over-nevada-together-8-years-after-retirement/

Bunyap has made a great video going into some of The F-117 Early Home base History

Got myself this issue of a special from Airforces publications. Lots of interesting information about the F-117 and other aircraft.

Operational history and units. Incidents and problems. But also nice information about the different upgrade programs and the whole type 1000 storage program. These things are in climate controlled hangers because the earlier type RAM can't cope with the elements that we'll. All in all some nice information about the stealth birds

Not to mention the fact that no-one has trained how to fly or maintain the F-117 since 2008

Well as far as we know/what the military tells us :music_whistling:

Got myself this issue of a special from Airforces publications. Lots of interesting information about the F-117 and other aircraft.

 

Operational history and units. Incidents and problems. But also nice information about the different upgrade programs and the whole type 1000 storage program. These things are in climate controlled hangers because the earlier type RAM can't cope with the elements that we'll. All in all some nice information about the stealth birds

Me too. Noted that the first combat missions were not carried out in Desert Storm as I'd previously thought. The Boscombe Down incident is perhaps the most interesting. I'd love to know what the heck that was.

You guys are always well informed and have probably seen this but just in case:

Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk 3D cockpit view:

http://www.nmusafvirtualtour.com/cockpits/CW_tour/CW-23.html

If you want to see more 3D cockpits:

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/VirtualTour/Cockpit360.aspx

Keep in mind that the actual F-117A cockpit was very different. IIRC, that cockpit is from one of the early prototypes (79-10781, FSD-2, Toxic Death or Scorpion 2).

http://www.f-117a.com/Javaframe.html

Keep in mind that the actual F-117A cockpit was very different. IIRC, that cockpit is from one of the early prototypes (79-10781, FSD-2, Toxic Death or Scorpion 2).

http://www.f-117a.com/Javaframe.html

Very interesting. I thought it looked really low tech. Appreciate the comment.

I do love that website as I am a big fan of the worn and well used cockpits of these old war birds.

I just spent the morning browsing all things TTR...

Honestly before today I was one of the people who would have voted for a lot of other projects before an F-117A...now I'm not so sure. How can we "simulate" operations in Nevada and the TTR without the aircraft the base was actually built for? It also fits well in the upcoming SOH map

The F-117A is obviously a niche aircraft but so are many aircraft currently available in DCS. Personally I'd love to see an F-117A In DCS world.

I just spent the morning browsing all things TTR...

 

Honestly before today I was one of the people who would have voted for a lot of other projects before an F-117A...now I'm not so sure. How can we "simulate" operations in Nevada and the TTR without the aircraft the base was actually built for? It also fits well in the upcoming SOH map

 

The F-117A is obviously a niche aircraft but so are many aircraft currently available in DCS. Personally I'd love to see an F-117A In DCS world.

Me too, It's not my first choice but I still like to have one.