Although officially retired by the U.S. Air Force in 2008, the F-117 Nighthawk continues to disregard conventions associated with military aircraft when those aircraft reach the end of their careers. Though retired, the Air Force plans to give air-to-air refueling certification with the KC-46A Pegasus tanker to the F-117A Nighthawk by the end of this month, Andrew Hunter, the Air Force’s Service Acquisition Executive, informed the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces.
So far, the KC-46 has been certified to refuel nearly all receivers except a few notably the B-21 Raider stealth bomber. But that’s especially interesting because the F-117 is officially retired. Yet, the jet has continued flying unofficially from the Tonopah Test Range airfield in Nevada. The Air Force acknowledged this publicly for the first time in many years when, in 2021, it published the first official photos since retirement.
In September 2022, the Air Force Test Center issued an RFI regarding a potential 10-year contract for TTR F-117A fleet maintenance and logistics support services, confirming the Air Force’s intent to fly the jet through at least 2034. That the F-117 is air-refuelable with the KC-46 enforces this commitment to extend the Nighthawk’s life.
Although the stealth technology that the F-117 carries may be very inferior compared to the F-22 and F-35, the jet has remained very useful in training as adversary aircraft, cruise missile surrogates, and in research, development, testing, and evaluation. Lieutenant General Michael Loh, head of the Air National Guard, highlighted how useful the F-117s have been in simulating such threats as cruise missiles during defense exercises.
The F-117A’s flying does not cease for training but continues to support next-generation programs. The NDAA of 2007, initially placed 52 F-117 aircraft in storage at TTR in a status that would have allowed the fleet to be returned to service at some point. Fast-forward to 2016, the repeal of that requirement saw the gradual divestment of the fleet. However, sightings of the F-117 have increased in recent times, as the jets participate in Dissimilar Air Combat Training and other deployments.
Heading into January 2023, an estimated 45 or so of the 59 produced F-117s are still in inventory, while upwards of 10 have been approved for transfer to museums. Currently, the rate of divestment extends from two to three jets annually, as opposed to four per year from the previously announced cut.
Such is the sensitivity of operations at TTR that it wasn’t until October 2023 that photographer Michał Rokita was able to capture high-resolution footage of F-117 operations at TTR. In addition to radio communications and the movement of the Nighthawks themselves, his footage included sightings of other aircraft.
That the F-117 remains in service with the Air Force testifies to its singular capabilities and value in today’s defense. The stealthy characteristics of this plane continue to greatly benefit a range of testing and training roles, especially given the increase in likely opponents such as Russia with advanced stealth technology.
All in all, the F-117 Nighthawk, officially retired, still is active and an asset to the U.S. Air Force; it will continue flying at least through 2034. The utility of the aircraft in modern military operations underlines its extended service life.