Retirement of the F-117
 

I'm a bit of an aviation buff (though certainly no expert), and I found this to be quite interesting. Knowing that planes are not retired without something to take their place, I am certain the air force must have something well tested now that is taking it's place, which I figure means it's probably soon to be made known to the public.

Of course, I could be wrong. When the SR-71 was retired however many years ago that was, I figured the same thing, but then we never found out what it was that replaced it. A few SR-71s were returned to service for a short period of time, meaning that perhaps what they had to replace it didn't turn out so well. As many people assumed at the time, I figured it was the Aurora project, but I've haven't seem one yet and rumor has it that the aurora project was a failure.

I will try to find out.

OK, I will still wait for the 'word' from my man on the inside - but Wikipedia suggests that the F-22 and the F-35 will be the eventual replacements.

The F-117 wasn't based out here, but it would be nice to get one for the Hill AFB museum, as I don't recall one being there the last time I went.

It's no real secret. It's the FA-22 Raptor.

It'd make mincemeat out of an F-117.




Aurora a failure? Heh, that's just what they want you to think.

The f-22 isn't in full production yet, is it? It's still being tested? The F-22 was my first thought, of course, but I figured there was something they must be currently using that we don't know about.

As of Feb '08 there was a total of 122 Raptors built.

Well....good thing i put in the OP I wasn't an expert.:blush:

WANT!

Nah, not for me. They get terrible gas mileage and parking is a bitch. Of course on the other hand no dingle-cheese in an Escalade or Hummer is going to cut you off...

The problem with the Raptor is that it is so freakin' expensive ($100 million+ per bird depending on how you call out the $). The Air Force is in dire need a more economical close-air ground support unit without all of the fancy bells and whistles.

Don't get me wrong: the Raptor is a phenomenal plane.

And just TRY to get comprehensive insurance on with a reasonable deductible!