Originally Posted by JA Boomer

F-117 Knighthawk

The Knighthawk has already begun its retirement. I believe it will be completely withdrawn for service in the year 2009. Sadly, I think this was a poor decision by the USAF. I believe the rationale behind the retirement was that the F-117 mission can be accomplished by the F-22A, and that the retirement would mean additional F-22A airframes. However, I think the operating costs of the Knighthawk over several years led to an additional purchase of 4 F-22A’s, not a great trade-in in my opinion. Also, although the Raptor is faster, stealthier, more maneuverable, and far more capable at taking care of itself, I don’t believe it can perform the most basic mission of the F-117. Operating as a first-day-of-way strike aircraft, the F-117 is able to penetrate enemy airspace and self-designate 2000 lb laser-guided bombs onto target. The F-22A with its JDAMS’s cannot achieve the same accuracy and precision that the F-117 has shown. Also, with only 183 Raptors currently scheduled to enter service, how can the USAF expect these squadrons to train and practice enough to take over this very important mission. The F-22A is first and foremost the air dominance fighter of the USAF, the strike mission will always come second. Thus, I believe there is a significant capability loss here. Perhaps this loss is justified, given the limited scope of the F-117 mission, but anyone has to admit, that this airplane and mission has come in handy several times during the last 20 years.