F-117 flying again? | Page 8 | FerrariChat

F-117 flying again?

Discussion in 'Aviation Chat' started by alexD, Nov 16, 2010.

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  1. boxerman

    boxerman F1 World Champ
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    I wonder if the extreme stealth design focus on the F117 makes them still more stealthy than a F35, given that the F35 has to cover all the other combat attributes the singular purpose f117 lacks.

    Or is modern steath tech so good that the f35 can cover all the bases and be more stealthy.

    If the F35 shape has unbeatable stealth one can see why theyre still used for excercises/testing etc.


    Coll to see thyre still flying, wonder what it takes to get them back in the air, and where they find the people with the know how.
     
  2. kevin956

    kevin956 Formula Junior

    Jan 26, 2004
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    Think of the F-117 as a proof of concept. Technology has moved significantly. Part is the stealth radar signature, part is the ability to manage/defend threats if detected, and part is the ability to coordinate with other assets or how much one needs to rely on other assets. The F-117 is still a good benchmark and would do the job under some circumstances, but is no longer cutting edge.


     
  3. tbakowsky

    tbakowsky F1 World Champ
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    Sep 18, 2002
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    To keep the 117 flying is a testament to it tech..even though is over 30 years old now. Quite an impressive plane to say the least. Maybe there are things about it we still don't know about and that's why they continue to use it as a bench mark.

    As far as the SR-71 flying again..I would think thats a no go. I dont think they could even make the fuel for it anymore. But man I would I love to see her go just one more time.
     
  4. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Except for the airframe and the FLIR/DLIR, the F-117A used mostly off the shelf components so they could get it into production quickly. They used good stuff, so it worked fine.
     
  5. kylec

    kylec F1 Rookie
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    Was there ever any consideration to recoating the exterior panels with newer technology RAM?
     
  6. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Likely still classified whether or not they actually did that. Newer generation coatings are much easier to maintain and longer lasting.
     
  7. kevin956

    kevin956 Formula Junior

    Jan 26, 2004
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  8. kevin956

    kevin956 Formula Junior

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  9. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Down to bare aluminum, paint her flat black, and the tourists will never know the difference.
     
  10. BMW.SauberF1Team

    BMW.SauberF1Team F1 World Champ

    Dec 4, 2004
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    Thanks for the photos. It looks so odd seeing it in that form with the zinc yellow/chromate (or whatever new non-carcinogenic coating used) in those areas. It makes it look more man-made that way rather than something extra-terrestrial in its usual form...
     
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  11. BJK

    BJK F1 Rookie

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  12. tritone

    tritone F1 Veteran
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    "No way Jose; that ain't no regular black paint......that stuff cost over a million bucks a gallon....all the guys who painted it are dead now.....some serious **** there......"
     
  13. kevin956

    kevin956 Formula Junior

    Jan 26, 2004
    495
    Pasadena, CA
    F-117A - #833. It flew 75 combat missions/30 Desert Storm/45 Allied Force, and was also the 49th Fighter Wing Commanders aircraft. It is the second highest combat mission plane in the F-117A fleet. Headed to Palm Springs Air Museum first week of October.
     

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  14. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Better than being turned into beer cans, which happened to most of my F-111s because they may have had parts the Iranians could have used on their F-14s.
     
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  15. kevin956

    kevin956 Formula Junior

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  16. Hannibal308

    Hannibal308 F1 Veteran
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  17. CarbBoxer

    CarbBoxer Formula Junior

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  18. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    If you updated the coatings on an F-117A, you would have a very respectable LO platform for testing radars and emulating LO cruise missiles. Not hard to do with all those planar surfaces.
     
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  19. BMW.SauberF1Team

    BMW.SauberF1Team F1 World Champ

    Dec 4, 2004
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    I wonder if the pilots' identities are required to be under wraps except for the small group that maintain and operate those for security reasons. Entire thing seems very secretive so probably limiting it to just that would be best...
     
  20. Jacob Potts

    Jacob Potts Formula Junior

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  21. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    That is one use for them. There are likely several more.
     
  22. Hannibal308

    Hannibal308 F1 Veteran
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    I’m pretty sure they make pretty good adversaries for F-35s and F-22s doing long range radar work. Certainly a lot better than a Hog or an Eagle.
     
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  23. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
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    Will- Affirmative, great LO target. The 64th Aggressors just got F-35As to use in Red Flags and OT&E, so that should give some interesting results, all likely classified.

    The F-117A would also make a good test bird for new LO materials with its planar surfaces.
     

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