The F-117 Nighthawk's SECRET post-retirement operations!

The F-117 Nighthawk was the world's first operational stealth aircraft, ushering in a revolution in airpower that continues to this very day.

But after 25 years of service, the F-117 Nighthawk's career came to a close in 2008 when the aircraft was officially retired... Or at least, that was the story.

It turns out, claims that the Nighthawk was retiring were greatly exaggerated. Let's dive into the timeline of F-117 sightings post-retirement, the claims that it saw combat in 2017, and why the Air Force now plans to keep the Nighthawk flying all the way to 2034.

📱 Follow Sandboxx News on social

📱 Follow Alex Hollings on social

Citations:
Tyler Rogoway's story on Nighthawks in Syria for The Warzone:
Scramble Magazine Claim:
Wagner & Syrian troops vs US SOF:
Nighthawk tally in storage:

YouTube Videos Shown:

[That_Stealth_Guy]

As a former Crew Chief on the F-117 of nearly 12 years, it still comes as no suprise that they are still flying. The aircraft has many very specifiic capabilities and characteristics that make it totally unique in the low observable aircraft of the world. The F35 and F22 amazing stealth aircraft but were never designed solely to bomb high value targets with pin point accuracy. The Nighthawk was.
To paraphrase a quote in a certain movie
" They have a very specific set of skills"

[NBC_]

For me personally, this plane is right up there with the SR-71 in sheer coolness factor.

[uss_liberty_incident]

It's nice to know that for as expensive as the F-117 was, it is still a useful asset.

[mikebridges]

And just like the B-52, SR-71, and U-2, the nighthawk has unique capabilities that are still needed by the US.

[mikedrop]

"The Black Jet" is so iconic that even though it was an attack plane and no actual stealth fighters look like the F117 we all still refer to anything black with sharp angles as "looking like a stealth fighter".

[MrCooper]

We lived not far from an air force base when I was 13.

We saw so many B-52, B-2, F-117 F-15 and F16.
I always ran to the window when I heard them. Seeing those futuristic looking planes was amazing. :)

[alt]

With improved stealth coatings F-117 is probably still one of hardest targets to detect.

[corporatepawnster]

I really love the Nighthawk. It was my favorite plane when I was a kid.

[jeffbauer]

A couple notes to add. One, f-117 aircraft are continued to be used to augment the lean bomber force we currently have. Until more F-35 and B-21 come online the US may need additional capabilities if a major war were to break out. Two, the maintenance cost is much lower than newer stealth platforms even considering it’s age and any added flights of f-117 could reduce air craft wear on more used platforms like the F-22 in certain mission roles. Lastly, using nighthawks for red aggressor squadrons helps us practice against what near peer adversaries currently have or will have in the near future. In such war gaming the objective is to stress our capabilities of defense to their limits and beyond. It’s better to learn from the loss in a game than when it really matters.

I adore these iconic aircraft. They absolutely decimated saddam hussein’s integrated air defense network over Baghdad. When China saw this happen that is when they shifted to A2/D2 tactics with emphasis on missile forces. It will be interesting to see their role when active camouflage is officially acknowledged. If you don’t know what I am talking about go down the rabbit hole with the TR-3b!

[MrKKUT]

I love to hear we are making good use of older aircraft. This one in particular has some good shelf life left if you ask me

[lisaroberts]

It’s mind bending. The F117 still has a smaller radar signal. Than Russia & China’s most advanced Fighter Jets. And the Night Hawk is more that 40 years old? Holy? 😮

[mikes-qksh]

It would seem to me that the F-117 would be an ideal test bed for next generation RAM. Since it’s RCS is well established the efficiency of new RAM could be easily evaluated

[paulmurray]

Still my favorite stealth plane, if only because of the sense of awe I felt the first time I saw it flying. That very unique, angular shape, like nothing seen before, which they somehow were able to get airborne and keep from immediately plummeting to the ground. I'm glad the old girl is still out there, doing her thing. Great video!😊

[ProfessorJayTee]

I'll never forget the time (2002~ish, I think) my wife and I were taking a walk in central Florida, and one of these overflew us, in broad daylight. It did a slow turn, then flew over again, returning the same direction it came from. I was blown away. My wife didn't know what the hell it was, but she could see it wasn't a normal plane. Never did find out what the hell they were doing.

[riotintheair]

Always loved this plane. I know it's shape was mostly down to our crap computers when it was designed, but I think it's a very handsome airframe that's aged well. I mean this entirely in terms of looks - it's just a good looking aircraft in my untrained eyes.

[Elkarlo]

I think the most obvious reason why the F-117 now comes to a late retirement is, that it is the perfect Opfor simulator for the Chengou J20 and J31. When China attacks Taiwan the training the F-117 provides will be invaluable, and showing off that US is training to kill stealth Air-Crafts may even prevent a War against Taiwan. So "intercepting" the 40 year old F-117 is perfect as exercise and show of force as warning to China, while not deminishing the reputation of the F-35 or B-2.

[burddog]

Still more stealthy than SU57 (plus more than a handful exist) 😂

[overanDownUnder]

First time I saw this plane in person, I was 9. Flew from Australia to Utah, visiting family in 1993. Standing in a parking lot playing with the neighbourhood kids- we all looked up hearing a plane and there it was, flew right above us. Just awesomeness.

[liviubita-dragonelulviteaz]

I can place this fighter alongside the Ferrari F-40 as the leaders in my tech heart. Their design is unmistakable, their capabilities undeniable and the sheer coolness factor is off the charts.
Hat off to the designers and engineers that made those awesome tech art pieces of wonder possible! 👍

[icare]

The 117 has features and benefits not matched by the F35 JSF & F22 Raptor.

Operational cost of 117A is far less than the F22 and it’s reliability and awesome 360 degree stealth characteristics is a great choice in specific theaters.