Sean- The stealth geometry and coatings on the F-35 and F-22 are far superior to those on the F-117 both from maintainability and low observables standards. The F-117 was designed when we only had a 2D stealth code.
Even if the thrust were adequate, the 117 is aerodynamically utterly incapable of going supersonic --- not designed with speed as a goal.
Whether or not they were scrapped, those photos are either fake or they are of an aircraft that had sustained major damage prior --- that is NOT how we would scrap an aircraft --- especially a 117. "scrap" does not equal "destroy" They are carefully dismantled, and many materials and components are inventoried and salvaged. They are not crushed, ripped apart, and tossed in the dumpster .
117 stealth counter-measures included --- low heat signature, oblique surface angles, and radar absorbing material (RAM) covering. 35 & 22 stealth counter-measures include --- low heat signature (though not as low as the 117), oblique surfaces, radar absorbing structure / coatings, and active electronic detection / mitigation of incident radar & laser systems.
From a few years ago. The Mystery of the Miniature Stealth Fighter Jet - Telstar Logistics Image Unavailable, Please Login
In the wake of the Edward Snowden mess, my documented, snooped and recorded reply is sufficient for public chat.
Good statement, but, as we all know, the internet is flush with folks that 'say' WAY more than they know...
Old event, but new to me. On Oct. 27, 2006, twenty-five Lockheed F-117A stealth jets flew over Heritage Park at Holloman Air Force Base during the Silver Stealth event for the F-117′s 25th anniversary. F117 25 ship flyover - YouTube The Aviationist » A scene never to be repeated again: a sky filled with black stealth fighter jets The Aviationist » [Photo] Twenty five F-117 Stealth Jets flying together Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Kevin- Great photos, thanks. Since F-117s hardly ever flew in the daytime except for airshows, that is a really rare photo. We ended up with several of them in our hardened hangar facilities in Taif when they had problems on their way to Khamis Mushayt. Pilots varied from "stay away from my airplane" (new guys) to "let me show you how they work". There were some operational restrictions for them in Desert Storm, but those were fixed postwar.
wernt they really re-bodied F16's?,i was told that by the F117 pilot back at NAS Glenview at an airshow in late 80's-early 90's
The F-117 used a lot of off the shelf components and if memory serves the F-16s fly by wire system was part of that. Otherwise its pretty significantly different with internal bomb bay, two engines, etc. Engines are a non after burning variant of those used in the F-18 (F404s?) if I remember correctly. Frankly its a lot easier to just gloss over a lot of details when working an air show and "rebodied F-16" isn't too much of a stretch I guess since they do share some parts. You can only explain that pitot tubes aren't machine guns so many times.....
I'd always heard the story reported below: a test pilot described the aircraft as feeling like a "wobbly goblin" before some computer compensation kicked in on an early test flight. F-117A: Frequently Asked Questions
Reading that link about their unit patches reminds me of my brothers best friend many years ago. He was a Marine attached to the security detail at Camp David. They were not allowed to have anything that said Camp David or to admit they were assigned there. So the Marines renamed the place. They called it "CAMP FUN". They even made sweat shirts that had big letters "Camp Fun. The locals thought they were counselors at a summer camp.
I found this photo in the web without any infos. Does anybody know when, where? http://i1003.photobucket.com/albums/af153/Gregory_058/10355877_759205670796939_7373687696824024007_n_zpse6a35bf5.jpg Thank you in advance.