Are F-117s Released for Air-to-Air Refueling: Are Retired Planes Returning to Service?

The American KS-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft, intended for refueling the US strategic bombers, have been cleared for air refueling of the stealthy F-117 Nighthawks. The corresponding directive was issued by the US Air Mobility Command (AMC), writes The Drive.

The order issued on January 1, 2021, signed by Air Force Major General Joel D. Jackson, Director of Operations, Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration at the AMC, was called a "back to the future" directive, as the F-117 was first allowed for mid-air refueling. 1980s, and in 2006 it was withdrawn from service.

The publication notes that this order confirms information on the involvement of officially decommissioned aircraft to perform various tasks. It is noted that recently the F-117 has increasingly begun to be noticed not only in the area of ​​the secret Tonopah training ground of the US Air Force, which is located 110 kilometers northeast of the dried-up Lake Groom Lake, but also in the area of ​​other air bases in the United States. ... "Night hawks" are attracted to participate in large-scale exercises of the US and American fleet... In addition, they are used to check the radars of new aircraft, primarily the F-35.

(...) the use of the F-117 has expanded, with the aircraft even playing an important role in the recent Red Flag international air combat

- the newspaper notes, adding that we can already talk about the return of the "night hawks" in operation, while the truth is unofficial.

The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk is a single-seat, low-signature subsonic tactical strike aircraft. It was put into service in 1983 and decommissioned in 2006. He took part in armed conflicts in Panama, the Persian Gulf, and Yugoslavia. A total of 64 F-117 aircraft were produced.

Comments

[Pashhenko Nikolay]

To be honest, its inconspicuousness in modern realities is a big question. A lot of time has passed since its creation.

[Vadim237]

The F 117 can be painted with a new radio-absorbing paint to ensure less visibility and change the avionics from the F 35 in fact, it can use all the weapons one hundred are now in the arsenals of the US Air Force for fighter bombers.

[hwostatij]

The F 117 can be painted with new radio-absorbing paint to provide less visibility

And in what frequency range will this paint provide less visibility and to what extent?

in fact, he can use all the weapons one hundred is now in the arsenals of the US Air Force for fighter bombers

Seriously? And nothing that there is no radar on the sim pepelatse?

[voyaka uh]

Stealth coating absorbs centimeter and millimeter radio waves

[hwostatij]

If a layer of paint is applied in a centimeter, yes, it will absorb centimeter (almost completely). What radars work in the millimeter range?

[voyaka uh]

This thickness is not required.
All sorts of metal are added to the coating
balls-rhombuses, etc.
Millimeter radars - in the seeker of some explosives and missiles.

[hwostatij]

This thickness is not required.

Well, if you don't know the wavelength in advance, you will need it.

All sorts of metal are added to the coating
balls-rhombuses, etc.

Honestly, this is the first time I've heard of this. How can this work for radio signal absorption? Can you link to the source for the educational program, if not difficult?

[Andrey.AN]

Small scales can jam, scatter a glare rather, if the scales are iron and, in connection with the semiconductors, rectifiers leading to the load, will absorb. Although complex compounds have some capacity, they are not particularly durable. For me, it's better just a mirror, with a semiconductor outflow, why scatter, if you can reflect on the kudykin mountain.

[TOR2]

If you are interested in the topic of where the F-117 came from. Check out this documentary.

[ironic]

And it is also heterogeneous not only in blotches, but also in layers.

[OgnennyiKotik]

Quote: Vadim237

F 117 can be painted with new radar-absorbing paint

Yes, the most likely use. Two complementary options.
a) Testing of new types of radio-absorbing coatings
b) Testing various new and upgraded radars

Nobody will allow F-35/22 to be repainted all the time, drive them at will too, as if free and unnecessary. It is quite logical to use an unclaimed, inexpensive aircraft, but in steles.

[figwam]

Modern US aircraft are so good that you have to go back to the F-15, F-117 and B-52.

[Cowbra]

"On a word of honor and on one nozzle" Moreover, "on the nozzle" they even fly

[ironic]

Well yes. they fully justify imitation of an air enemy and they are very good for this.

[ironic]

And so the F-35 and F-21 continue to develop with might and main. Probably something is wrong with the understanding of goodness ...

[Vadim Ananyin]

She - stealth with him and then was cheap in fact, the plane itself is complete crap and they realized it but use it in trainings. Naturally and Effectively!

[Bad_gr]

Quote: Vadim Ananyin

She is inconspicuous with him and then was cheap in fact, ...

Where does this information come from? The shape of the plane is such that even if it is completely uncovered, it will glow badly on the radars. Another question is that it has aerodynamics like an iron and in its designation F (fighters) no sideways.

[Vadim Ananyin]

All of its coverage worked at specific frequencies. this was proven back in the early 90s and it did not work with a decrease in frequency and it shone like a light bulb, which was proved by Yugoslavia. And the form was developed with the help of our (ussr) emigrants. Tama is nothing new and never was. Therefore, in fact, he was written off.

[Bad_gr]

Quote: Vadim Ananyin

All of its coverage worked at specific frequencies. this was proven back in the early 90s and it did not work with a decrease in frequency and it shone like a light bulb, which was proved by Yugoslavia.

This "light" in Yugoslavia made 850 sorties, and shot down one (according to other sources, another was badly damaged)

[ironic]

Do you really think that the military-industrial complex of the Western countries made all its innovations by immigrants from the USSR? He was written off solely because his replacement came in the form of newer projects.

[Vadim Ananyin]

No, not all.

[ironic]

Already good.

[Vadim Ananyin]

Any country can have shoals in the military-industrial complex if they have a military-industrial complex in fact. Back in the early 90s, at the arms exhibition in Nizhny Novgorod, the Americans who arrived were surprised that they were shown and proved that their plane was observed in the lungs on the CRT of our systems and they stupidly crumpled. That is why they probably closed it up like ...........!

[ironic]

Which plane?

[Vadim Ananyin]

All the same about which we are discussing,

[ironic]

And how was the F-117 seen in Nizhny Novgorod?

[Vadim Ananyin]

And you can also add the fact that when our freaks began to reform the education system of our country, this very upset the aviation directors of Western firms, they themselves said it. They do not acknowledge our diplomas, this is true, but they have made full use of our technical specialists.
Do you even agree with that?

[ironic]

In the USSR, those who wanted to get an education received it. I also received my first education in the USSR. There were flaws in it, but there were also advantages. Those who say that everything was bad are cunning.

[ironic]

The plane at that time was completely successful and was lost from the opposition of the enemy, and there was only one, and even that one was solely out of stupidity.

[Vadim Ananyin]

He could only resist only those countries that did not have serious air defense, he was no longer suitable for confronting the USSR - Russia, Yugoslavia is not an indicator. Therefore, the project was blown away.

[ironic]

At that time, any air defense could withstand, not 100%, because 100% military solutions do not exist, but he could. A similar shapkozakidatelstvo spread today in relation to the F-35 and in vain.

[Zoldat_A]

Quote: Pashhenko Nikolay

To be honest, its stealth in modern realities is a big question.

In 1999, his "inconspicuousness" did not raise questions from anyone. And it was competently advertised to the whole world. The Yugoslavs probably did not have TVs and did not know that it was "inconspicuous"? They took and shot him down with a missile, which was put into service as early as 1961 ...

[stalki]

In 1999, his "inconspicuousness" did not raise questions from anyone. And it was competently advertised to the whole world. The Yugoslavs probably did not have TVs and did not know that it was "inconspicuous"? They took and shot him down with a missile, which was put into service as early as 1961 ...

Amendment. French Guided

[Zoldat_A]

Quote: stalki

Amendment. French Guided

??

The Yugoslav armed forces were armed with Soviet radars that operated at longer wavelengths (up to 2 m), but detected aircraft with reduced visibility: these were P-12 Yenisei and P-18 Terek radars.

I did not serve in air defense, so I can confuse - the guidance system and the radar in the air defense are the same or not?

[stalki]

I did not serve in air defense, so I can confuse - the guidance system and the radar in the air defense are the same or not?

I'm not special either, if I say nonsense, the pros will correct us if they want. Well, honestly, I will not argue, maybe this is gossip, maybe another myth. In short, somewhere on the forum there was a dialogue for a long time, I don't remember which one. We talked about the French infrared guidance systems (GIS) supplied to our missiles. If I'm wrong, well, then the devil has beguiled

[stalki]

I dug, most likely all the same a myth, I didn’t dig anything intelligible, I apologize for the unconfirmed information, my memory failed.

[Zoldat_A]

Quote: stalki

I dug, most likely all the same a myth, I didn’t dig anything intelligible, I apologize for the unconfirmed information, my memory failed.

I took information about the P-12 and P-18 radars from an interview with Lieutenant Colonel of the 250th anti-aircraft missile brigade of the Serbian army Djordje Anicic, whose fighters, in fact, shot down the F-117. It is interesting that he expressed another thought -

... the missile strike seriously damaged the reputation of the promising F-117. As you know, in the next decade it was completely decommissioned. According to official information, in connection with the replacement of the F-22 Raptor multirole fighter.

About "Raptor" today at the VO has also been discussed.

[ironic]

The plane was shot down not using radar, but with the radar turned off and a man-made visual targeting system attached. Therefore, only the stupidity and self-confidence of several locally responsible officials was shaken.

[Pete mitchell]

Quote: stalki

rather, it's still a myth ...

If this is a myth, then it is widespread among the amerovsky military: a French optical system was installed on Soviet systems. That the battery commander does not mention, although no one paid attention. I'll be honest: I didn't find confirmation even in the wiki, but the bourgeoisie shared. All Westerners are "modestly" silent about the violation of all basic planning rules - do not go the same route twice ...

[Zoldat_A]

Quote: Pete Mitchell

If this is a myth, then it is widespread among the amerovsky military: french optical system.

Most likely, this is not even a myth, but an American fake, which, by the way, gave rise to a bunch of memes on the Internet. Because the same Djordje Anichich, whom I mentioned above, said in the same interview

We didn't know that he was invisible. I only see a dot on the radar.

In my non-professional opinion, the "French optical guidance system", in which the aircraft can be seen (because it is optical), and the Soviet radar, where any object is a "point on the screen" are fundamentally different things.

This is hardly a "French optical guidance system"

[Pete mitchell]

As I said before

Quote: Pete Mitchell

common among the amerovsky military: a French optical system was installed on Soviet systems ...

"Probable friends" had to somehow excuse themselves for planning mistakes, they flew on the same route for almost a week: to admit that it was not a new system that brought down the super duper plane, well, at least with the help of the French ...
And in the photo there is a very decent syntethic air picture, clearly from enemies

[Zoldat_A]

Quote: Pete Mitchell

And the photo shows a very decent syntethic air picture

To be honest, this is not a boom-boom ... Once I saw such things at the airport at the checkpoint - round screens. True, they were off. Working, with a ray from the center running in a circle, I saw only on TV.

Quote: Pete Mitchell

"Probable friends" after all had to somehow excuse themselves for planning mistakes

Everything is American ... Nothing new. First, they single-handedly disguise themselves, and then the whole world begins to invent "proofs" that "All are bad, except for I."

[Pete mitchell]

Also not my specialization, but I had to face it and learn.

Quote: Zoldat_A

Everything is American ... Nothing new

I was always amazed at their ability after any event "with a smell" peremptorily look around and look for the "guilty" completely forgetting that the smell comes from themselves.

[ironic]

Well, for example, such a situation with a smell was in full swing around the downing of the IL-20, but certain officials responsible for the situation, clearly fearing personal responsibility for the death of a whole group of officers, composed technological fables that were not loudly refuted just out of a desire to remove the heat from the political situation, which could lead to unnecessary clashes, as a price for all the same desire of certain officials to cover their asses, instead of caring about the lives and high cost of training their highly qualified officers.

[Pete mitchell]

Quote: ironic

the situation with the smell was in full swing around the downing of the IL-20, but certain responsible ...

The story of the downing of the Il-20 should wait for its prosecutors

[ironic]

Will not wait. You rarely sit with golden stripes, especially if they are needed for other things.

[ironic]

Well, as well as vice versa, almost incredible luck to pass off as achievements that did not have a place and have no equal

[ironic]

And to likely not friends, it is right to give this incredible luck.

[ironic]

Which was completely disabled ...

[ironic]

It was even worse there, more than twice, on the same route, at the same altitude and at the same speed. And then they relied on the warhead itself, on the radius of dispersal of the rebounds.

[Avior]

The Yugoslavs probably did not have TVs and they didn’t know that it was "inconspicuous"?

And then their TVs started working and they found out?
And in three more bombings, they could not shoot down a single one ...

[ironic]

And probably because they did not take it, they took and turned off the radar and started handing the visual system to screw it on. They probably watched the wrong TVs with you. No smart guys, no question. In their place, you would not have realized.

[Ingenegr]

Alas, the Goblin's stealth in the cm-range is beyond doubt. It is a truly unobtrusive iron with wings, and generally performed well in its tasks. His return to duty is a consequence of the fact that he is, in fact, the only true "invisible" from the entire family of "invisible".
And this fact in the Air Force and Air Defense of the USSR did not cause any doubts among the initiates.

[Pete mitchell]

Quote: Ingenegr

the only real "invisible" from the whole family of "invisible". And this fact in the Air Force and Air Defense of the USSR did not cause any doubts among the initiates.

Callie Johnson was an outstanding designer, quite extraordinary. I read somewhere that this "profiled frying pan" is very pleasant to control, and after learning how to use it to the "first bay", the plane coped very well

[Zoldat_A]

Quote: Pashhenko Nikolay

To be honest, its stealth in modern realities is a big question.

[Prisoner]

It is called "tightened the straps". Not to fat, to be alive.

[alexmach]

Well done, they need to envy that they have such an opportunity.

[askort154]

Today is VO, USA F-Day.

[Prisoner]

Day of rotten US planes, if anyone did not understand.

[ironic]

Well, yes, and who else has such? China?

[Prisoner]

Today is the day of Svidomo.

[Kushka]

Today, on the contrary, VO anti-record.
On six branches I counted only four headers,
with the mention of Ukraine, and those below (old).
And it happened on the main VO 6 publications, and 3-4,
so it is daily. You will have to turn on the TV set.

[Vlad5307]

Not F, G planes.

[rocket757]

Will the quantity and not the quality be taken?
I wonder what or who?

[Prisoner]

This is a well-known root crop! As they begin to pour in, they will find the pilots of the figs. So they won't.

[rocket757]

Babosiks, big babosiks, if miracles do not work anymore, they can do / promote a lot.
Skillful, responsible organizers should be assigned to them, whatever they can do.

[ironic]

And when was the last time they poured (Vietnam as an example not to give)?

[ironic]

Are there those who can already take the quality of the 5th generation? China?

[rocket757]

A standard situation - there is not enough quality quantity, they will pick up the quantity with what they find!

[ironic]

But they find and the quality is tightened with the number.

[rocket757]

Once upon a time, a long time ago, and there was no problem ... but now, do not say hop, the fence has not jumped over, but piled up, be healthy.

[ironic]

Similarly, they also talked about the F-16 when he went to the troops.

[rocket757]

Quote: ironic

Similarly, they also talked about the F-16 when he went to the troops.

OTMAZKA will not work, then the striping was different, in many, in many respects!
The robots started playing, dived deeply into virtual, and life, events, problems, they are here, in REAL!

[ironic]

Of course, it was somewhat different, but the indicators were also different, indicators of opportunities. And not just problems.

[rocket757]

Declare, set some high standards .... you need to fulfill those standards, implement, comply.
As always, let's wait / see how and what they do, in REAL!

[ironic]

It has already worked out, we have already looked at it and the issue of the optional purchase of the third batch has disappeared as resolved. Moreover, the third batch will not be purchased with aid money. The decision on the parallel purchase of the F-15EX and the upgrade to it of the existing F-15I was put in the column on the need for a high-speed interceptor or a striker with a large payload, all the roles of the F-16 were unambiguously assigned to the F-35, as well as the role of reconnaissance and air defense stripping in front of massed impact and the F-15 is also uniquely transferred to him.

[rocket757]

Quote: ironic

all the roles of the F-16 are unambiguously assigned to the F-35, as well as the role of reconnaissance and air defense stripping before the massive attacks of the F-15 is also unambiguously transferred to him.

Roles can be transferred ... problem, these roles can be performed!
Again on "cats" they will train ... because how to contact real Vultures, the guts are thin.

[ironic]

Well, ours themselves are real vultures. They already know what is important to them in battle. We can certainly say that their potential opponents are not the best pilots, but we know whose instructors they are assigned to. No clash between the Russian Federation and Israel will happen neither now nor in the future (with B-th help) , but to count on the fact that at the helm of a Syrian or Iranian plane there may be someone from some kind of PMC, our pilots still have to, as well as at the air defense console. And he is unlikely to be illiterate or unprofessional.

[rocket757]

Quote: ironic

count on the fact that at the helm of a Syrian or Iranian plane may be someone from some kind of PMC, our pilots still have to, as well as at the air defense console.

Nonsense, a small-town effect, a winning / losing episode cannot fundamentally affect anything.
Win / not lose, give an effective rebuff, only the SYSTEM can! a concept that includes many, many, many things.

[ironic]

And in this regard, Israel can be considered both a regional air defense / missile defense system and AWACS and a system for organizing interaction at the level of units the size of a brigade in an area of ​​responsibility roughly corresponding to one army, according to your concepts. This is not the scale of Russia, yes, but if we assume that today Russia has a shortage of 800 fighter bombers, and Israel has about 300 of them, and about half of AWACS planes, then ...

[rocket757]

Unlike many, I am on the "chosen" EXACTLY.
I hope our leadership has been cured of the disease forever, to support all kinds of "sheep / camels" for the fact that they scold "exceptional" ones.
In that region we have neither friends nor enemies, ONLY INTERES when such arise.

[ironic]

Did the "God-bearing" teach you to be "elected"? :)))
I agree with the rest of the approach, this is how you really need to think in any country.

[Mountain shooter]

They probably know what they are doing ... The plane taken out of service 15 years ago ... And let it be. Obviously not for combat use ...

[andrewkor]

Eh, and I didn’t play "F-117" at one time. He rose to the rank of general and retired. The funniest thing is landing on an aircraft carrier with knocked out engines and from the bow of the ship!

[Alf]

Quote: andrewkor

The funniest thing is landing on an aircraft carrier with knocked out engines and from the bow of the ship!

So how is it ? Happened ? He plans like a brick. Or is he the best in the world in the game?

[A.K.]

Well, that phi 35 do not fly all (2/3 as they say) broken ones are expensive and so they decided to attract old people.

[ironic]

Yeah, with braids ... along the road ... and silence ... Didn't you confuse the film?

[A.K.]

Well, you read the article yesterday was published here. About how the Americans reported on the flight readiness of the F35, so there it is written in black and white 2/3 standing not ready to take off, some because of problems with the engine, some for other reasons, the fact is that they are standing.

[ironic]

Yes, I know the content of such articles. Such sad articles, dreary. If only their authors did not get acquainted with the F-35 program from other similar articles ...

[A.K.]

Well, if you are so familiar with the F35 program and have information better, please enlighten!

[ironic]

According to various sources, more than 70% of the aircraft (from 69 to 73) received at least initial combat readiness, more than 40% (according to some reports, the figure of 50% has also been reached) have already reached full combat readiness, most of those who have not reached it belong to B and C.

[A.K.]

I didn't understand anything here. 70 have reached 40 and 50 will reach the same percentage. And the information, again, is different, which means the sources are the same as in the article. But seriously, we will not know the truth. But the fact that with the F35 program not everything is so great and it did not confirm the parameters that they wanted from it is clear. As always, the Americans turned out to be very expensive in terms of service and production.

[ironic]

Everything is clear, initial and more> 70, full> 40, and maybe 50. So this is how the author of the article read the sources, this was also explained, the differences are caused by the answers of the Presrelease and other responsible at different times to questions that are essentially different.

[tralflot1832]

And what is the Goblin similar to our SU 57? Even not okay in the American kingdom! Under Trump, there were no Defense Ministers like women!

[Prisoner]

Here, EPRST! Again svidomye occupied the VO.

[Prisoner]

At least four.

[Cowbra]

Yes, he already knows how much he flies, portraying a stealth enemy. Have fun. Iron - it is iron

[Odysseus]

Well, these are features of the American classification. According to ours, they would not be written off. The aircraft are in technical readiness, they are flying around. Of course, not all at once, but some can be used in combat almost immediately.
Here, of course, the climate helps them a little - ideal conditions for storage. Well, the amount of funds, it is possible to maintain many aircraft in good condition in reserve.
As for military necessity, due to the rapid growth of the capabilities of the PRC Air Force, and the alleged reduction in the military budget, the United States can indeed return the F-117 to service.

[Alf]

Quote: Odyssey

As for military necessity, due to the rapid growth of the capabilities of the PRC Air Force, and the alleged reduction in the military budget, the United States can indeed return the F-117 to service.

What's the point? What can he do?

[Ingenegr]

Maybe it really can. The history of its combat use is very extensive.

[Alf]

Quote: Ingenegr

The history of its combat use is very extensive.

And where was it used? Which opponent? In Panama? Where a couple of Gorbunov, operating in greenhouse conditions, missed 500 meters? Or in Yugoslavia, they declared themselves as a mighty warrior? This is how its fragments are kept in Belgrade.

[ironic]

Yes, they did everything they wanted there. History, as this was the only one shot down, confirmed the justification of the technologies incorporated into the plane.

[Alf]

Quote: ironic

Yes, they did everything they wanted there.

In Panama? If I were the states, I would not count this military disgrace among my victories. Trampling the Banana Republic army is cool.
And in Yugoslavia, so it is necessary to remember what antiquity the Hunchback was shot down.

[ironic]

The main thing is how !! ?? There, the only thing that mattered was to get more and to explode.

[Rusticolus]

Interestingly, we still have C-125s in warehouses somewhere？ Or maybe dig out the same and practice.

[ironic]

Well, yes, with someone else's visual guidance system, an aircraft that will fly a dozen times in the same march, at the same height and at the same speed. So now all the planes will fly.

[Tsoy]

This news is a hundred years old at lunchtime. The headline is loud, and every year the drive is "surprised" by the same event. Since decommissioning, the F-117 has been used to run onboard equipment for other stealth vehicles. Now they play the role of opponents in the exercises. The same Chinese J-20. Nobody throws them into battle yet.

[ironic]

Probably many VO users who write here their extensive dreams in every topic of foreign technology do not allow them to understand mental capabilities.

[Ros 56]

Well, they give exceptional ones, they decided to sweep all the trash on the bottom of the barrel.

[Adimius38]

The F117 is a formidable machine if the necessary modern upgrade is carried out. This aircraft is the only one that was created entirely sharpened for stealth. They are not stupid across the ocean, and they have calculated ten times that this machine can still be used very successfully and remain unnoticed. This explains the commissioning of these aircraft and of course they will improve them, new avionics, etc.

[Shahno]

Quote: ironic

Yes, I know the content of such articles. Such sad articles, dreary. If only their authors did not get acquainted with the F-35 program from other similar articles ...

They cannot have other opinions, this is a direct road to minuses (in the salary). But we can do that, so sometimes we express our timid surprise in the Russian-speaking community ..
Let's hope that we will not be considered accomplices of "imperialism"