Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Say it isn't so . . . . the end of the F-117

The Air Force will retire the last of the F-117s in Nevada next month.

The plane first flew in 1981 and entered service in 1983. The plane is young compared to our F-15s, F-16s, A-10s, B-52s, AWACs, KC-135 and a contemporary of the KC-10, B-1 and FA-18.

The F-22 is supposed to replace the F-117, but I do not think it can carry the same bomb load.

The AF is retiring the plane early to free up money for more F-22s, F-35s and new tankers.

Now I know I'm getting old when airplanes that were the cutting edge when fielded (I was a Jr in High School in 83) are being retired.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

andy man: they're being mothballed. but it's hard to think of a plane as being a fighter when it can barely exceed 600 knots.

just imagine one with a payload of paintballs!

and i assume you're shooting .38 at the range.

bc